Meet the Class of 2022

We are excited to have this talented group of individuals as part of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program.

Click below to learn more about them!

  • Quinn Evans, Washington D.C.

    Kiruthika is a project architect at Quinn Evans’s (@quinnevans.qe ) DC office and has been an integral member of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum revitalization project. She holds a Masters in Architecture from the WAAC, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Anna University. She is also a licensed architect in India where she has worked on residential and educational institution projects while working with architectureRED in India. With a passion for design, her interest in colors, materials, and an eye for detail she appreciates design at all scales and is a natural at creating effective solutions. She believes in community engagement for building a better place and strives to nurture positive relationships with the client and the contractor as she believes architecture is a collaborative process.

  • EYP, Washington D.C.

    Danielle, is an Associate and Job Captain at EYP, Washington DC. Her project experience includes modernization and preservation across diverse sectors, where she is fully engaged in all aspects from preliminary design through construction administration. She often serves as BIM manager on projects where she develops processes to improve design and documentation. Danielle holds a Master’s degree in Design Studies focused on Historic Preservation and Material Conservation from the Boston Architectural College and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the New York Institute of Technology. She was selected Emerging Professional by the Association for Preservation Technology, DC Chapter in 2021.

    When she doesn’t use her expertise in technology and her passion to help communities research and document their buildings and culture, so that they can preserve their neighborhoods to have a more resilient future, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her family and two dogs.


  • Page, Washington, D.C.

    Faith, is an Architectural Designer at Page. She is motivated by the desire to design spaces for people with little to no voice through architecture.
    A transplant from Grand Blanc, Michigan, Faith received her professional degree from Howard University and has been working in the ‘DMV’ ever since. While at Page, Faith has collaborated on a wide range of project types including aquatic centers, auto dealerships, assisted living facilities and university master plans.

    Outside of work, Faith is an active member of the National Organization for Minority Architects (NOMA). In 2019 – 2021, she served as the Board Treasurer for the newly revived District of Columbia chapter, which has since grown to become one of the most active chapters nationwide.


  • Page, Washington, D.C.

    Malik is an emerging design professional with an awarded commitment to equity and excellence within the field of architecture.
    In his current role, Malik serves the American public domestically and abroad as an Associate Designer within Page’s government studio. Since joining Page, Malik has helped to deliver several multi-million dollar design-build contracts for the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations; most notably the New U.S. Embassy in Bangkok Thailand.
    In his spare time, Malik serves his local community as volunteer designer with the Neighborhood Design Center, as well as a weekly meditation instructor.

    An ‘unapologetic Terp’, Malik received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the University of Maryland, before returning to complete dual Master’s degrees in Architecture and Community Planning.

  • Quinn Evans, Washington D.C.

    Nicholas, is an Architect and Associate at Quinn Evans (QE). He joined QE in 2019 as one of the lead project architects on a major renovation and expansion project for a federal agency involving two historic monumental buildings located on Constitution Avenue adjacent to the National Mall. He uses his skills to ensure that consensus-driven design principles are carried out from concept to construction. Prior to Quinn Evans Nicholas developed an expertise with complex urban projects while working for clients ranging from Harvard University to Dana Farber Cancer Institute. He holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia where he was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi medal and the Thesis Award.


  • SmithGroup, Washington, D.C.

    Eva is an Associate at SmithGroup in Washington, DC. Eva has experience in cultural, multi-family residential, workplace, and hospitality projects ranging from interior renovations to base building construction. Notable projects include Hilton Canopy and Hyatt House at the Wharf development and Museum of the Bible, both in Washington, DC. Presently, she is leading design as project architect on two office building amenity renovations in DC.
    Trained in both architecture and interior design, Eva is able to take on different roles on a project and strives for cohesive and comprehensive design. Eva received a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic, and a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC.

  • R2L, Washington D.C.

    Thomas is a registered architect in the District of Columbia. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Architecture with a certificate in Digital Ecologies from Clemson University. While at Clemson, he served as a graduate teaching assistant and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and Tau Sigma Delta. He’s worked on various projects including hotels, mixed-use multi-family buildings, and high-end single-family homes; most recently, he completed the AC Hotel Capitol Hill and Illume Apartments while at R2L Architects. His participation in CKLDP introduced him to incredible emerging leaders in the DC area and has furthered his interests in a number of areas including management, graphics, mentorship, and emerging technologies.


  • HOK, Washington, D.C.

    Emily McGee Assoc. AIA, LEED GA, is an Associate and Medical Planner in HOK DC’s healthcare design studio. Her passion for leveraging architecture as a tool for healing extends through her portfolio of hospital planning and community care projects serving the nation’s most vulnerable patient populations. Notable projects include the UPMC Vision and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, PA, and the recent Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center in Anacostia, DC. Prior to HOK, Emily served as a 2016-2017 Global Health Corps Fellow and helped elevate health infrastructure standards in Rwanda with the non-profit MASS Design Group.
    This year, Emily McGee was one of just three recipients of the 2022 Associate AIA Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions and leadership within the profession. She is currently a 2022 Bloomberg Fellow at Johns Hopkins University, pursuing her Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree to advocate for the built environment’s role in promoting health equity and achieving environmental justice.

  • VMDO, Washington D.C.

    Jenna grew up on the coast of South Carolina, a setting that instilled a deep respect for the natural environment and the importance of protecting it at an early age. The experiential learning curriculum of these formative years showed Jenna first-hand how a learning environment can impact a student long after she leaves the classroom. While at NC State, Jenna dovetailed her passions for the built environment, education, and sustainability with coursework and extracurricular activities focused on education and outreach to rural and underserved schools. Jenna continues to volunteer with students of all ages, teaching them about architecture and the built environment. She believes that all students can benefit from learning how designers approach tasks and solve problems.


  • HKS, Washington, D.C.

    Janki is a Design Professional at HKS, inc. She mainly works in the Mixed used Commercial and Residential sectors. She is passionate about designing at multiple scales and their impact on the larger city fabric. She holds a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University, a Master of Architecture from CEPT University, and a Bachelor of Architecture from APIED, India. She believes as designers we inherently are advocates for our communities and should constantly strive for an equitable built environment. Janki volunteers her time with multiple local organizations to learn more about the city and its people, she currently serves as a co-chair AIA Urban Design Committee . As a co-chair, she plans and executes panels, tours, and discussions on Urban Design relevant topics.

  • ZGF, Washington D.C.

    James Slack, Assoc. AIA is a project architect at ZGF. Educated as an industrial designer, he has a professional background in ruggedized equipment design, commercial interiors, multifamily, and institutional. He always strives to bridge the gap between a base building and its interiors with the aim of creating holistic experiences of architecture. Within the profession, his greatest passion is for details regardless of scale or project type.


  • Wiencek + Associates, Washington, D.C.

    Saakshi is a licensed architect from India currently working as a Designer at Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners. As an emerging professional, she has contributed to many featured multi-family, senior living, and affordable housing projects. Currently, she is a board member of AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community, serving as the Past Chair for AIA|DC Urban Design Committee, a Committee Advisor for the AIA|DC Emerging Architects’ Committee and an Educator at Architecture is Free Foundation. With her interest in responsible and sustainable architecture that has a social impact on local and global communities, and a passion for research and writing, she continues to be the managing editor for the avenues journal, has served as a research team member for Mayor Bowser’s Resilient DC: A strategy to thrive in the face of change program+publication and has authored a chapter in the Immigrant Architects’ Collation Comprehensive Guide. Ms. Terway is the recent recipient of the 2022 AIA|DC Emerging Architect’s Award and the Architecture Foundation’s Sho Ping Chin Grant recipient.


  • Gensler, Washington, D.C.

    Kristen is an architect with experience in residential mixed-use, and commercial base building, as well as historic repositioning. For the past 4+ years, Kristen's role as a project architect for complex, mixed-use & multifamily projects in the DC and VA areas has shaped her exciting career at Gensler. Prior to Gensler, Kristen worked on historic adaptation projects for mixed-use residential and retail in Washington, DC.
    Kristen attended The Catholic University of America to earn a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in Washington DC as well as a semester in Barcelona. She also studied at Catholic University to obtain a Master's of Architecture and a Master's of Science in Sustainable Design in the Sacred Space and Cultural Studies concentration in Paris, Inishturk, and Washington DC. In her free time, she has worked as an adjunct faculty instructor at CUA, and as an architectural docent for the National Mall to visitors from all over the world. She is an avid pun enthusiast.

  • Perkins+Will, Washington D.C.

    Elaine is a Designer at Perkins & Will. She graduated with a B.Arch from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY in 2018 and has been working in DC ever since. Elaine enjoys and has experience working on a variety of project typologies at different scales (corporate interiors, commercial, higher ed, healthcare, science & tech, hospitality.) Some of her favorite projects include a new tower expansion and renovation at the University of Virginia’s University Hospital, a lactation lounge for the National Building Museum, a base-building renovation that is home to Perkins&Will’s DC studio, and an auditorium renovation at Georgetown Law. From initial conceptual design through construction administration, Elaine is committed to ensuring every detail will create a beautiful end result. She is passionate about projects that have a positive environmental and social impact on their communities.
    Elaine is also passionate about giving back to others through community service; she currently co-chairs the Social Purpose/Service+ committee at work and has served as a Captain for RPI’s CANstruction team and a Board Member for Rotaract DC, and enjoys volunteering for local organizations and organizing bake sale fundraisers.


  • Perkins Eastman, Washington, D.C.

    Chen is an architect and associate at Perkins Eastman with around ten years of experience in architecture, interiors, and large scale. Chen’s body of work encompasses diverse project types such as senior living, K‐12 schools, workplace, mixed‐use, and residential which are located in different climates and regions such as DC, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Florida, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia. Chen believes good design responds to the unique culture and climate context, requires cross‐disciplinary collaboration, can add great value to all the stakeholders, and make a meaningful impact on the built environment. His well‐rounded technical skills, experience throughout each project phase, out-of-the-box thinking and strong communication skills ensure the projects move forward effectively and meet the design goals, budget, and schedules. His inquisitiveness and ability to see the big picture have brought clarity to projects’ complex issues and helped the team to make sound decisions. Chen has a keen interest in leadership development and is an integral member of Perkins Eastman’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee and the leader of PE Asia advocacy group in the DC office.