Pillars Leadership Program
AIA Kansas City's Pillars Leadership Program is a training program that prepares a representative cross section of the chapter’s emerging leaders for their role in shaping the future of both the architectural profession and the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The training program includes active participation in programs and exposure to community leaders and issues. Applications are accepted for the program once each year. Criteria for acceptance include proven career success and community involvement. The benefits of the program include: development of relationship skills, skill development, team performance, and chapter and community leadership.
Topics that will be discussed throughout the year include: politics and advocacy, academia and mentorship, business and legal issues, project delivery and partnership, communication methodologies, outreach, industry trends and economic development.
2024 - 2025 PILLARS CLASS
Caleb Bertels, AIA - Hoefer Welker
Steve Burton, AIA - BRR Architecture
Rachel Dumsky, AIA - NSPJ Architects
Andra Eglitis, AIA - SFS Architecture
Allison Kelly, Assoc. AIA - Pulse Design Group
Phillip Perkins, AIA - HNTB
Bruno Rodriguez Escobedo, Assoc. AIA - Populous
Claire Ryan, AIA - Black & Veatch
Tanvi Sanghvi, AIA - Helix Architecture + Design
Keegan Thompson, Assoc. AIA - DLR Group
Melissa Watson, Assoc. AIA - HOK
Kathryn Eckhoff - Wallace Design Collective
Travis Kingsley - 5BY5 Engineers
Kate Moeder - Hufft
Wesley Morris - Garver
Zach Russell - PMA Engineering
Pillars February 2025 Overview
Originally delayed by a winter storm, the February Pillars session persevered, bringing the group together at Children’s Mercy Research Institute (CMRI) to explore how design shapes pediatric behavioral healthcare environments in Kansas City.
The day began with Catie Smith, Director of Planning and Design at CMH, presenting on Behavioral Healthcare and the Illuminate Campaign. She introduced various care models and key design strategies, emphasizing sensory-friendly elements for calming environments, privacy and security measures to protect patients and caregivers, and flexible design to accommodate evolving care needs.
Pillars then assembled Happy Kits for young patients before hearing from Donald “Scribe” Ross, a local artist whose murals at CMH demonstrate how art contributes to healing environments through storytelling and color.
