WOMEN ARE ADVANCING OUR INDUSTRY
Women in the building industry are moving up in what has historically been a male-dominated field. In 2023, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 27% of professionals who specialize in the Architecture and Engineering fields are women, which is up from 16% in 2020.
Although the industry still has a long way to go, we understand the importance of recognizing how women are making significant contributions in advancing our industry. In fact, we’d like you to meet a few of the women who work here at MSKTD. Whether they’re designing complex structures, creating award-winning landscapes, managing multi-phased projects, or providing essential professional services, these women are spearheading major initiatives within our firm.
Sarah Savage, IIDA, RID, NCIDQ, EDAC
Interior Design Project Manager
Sarah has worked in our Indianapolis office for 13 years, initially in a hybrid position before moving into interior design full time. “I’ve always been fascinated with the built environment, its history, and how it can affect us psychologically,” she said. “Materials and colors and safety and codes—there’s so much to stimulate my right and left brain!”
Sarah’s unique perspective and expertise extend beyond MSKTD through her leadership roles within the Indiana chapter of the International Interior Design Association and ZeroLandfill Indy, an organization dedicated to diverting expired samples from architects and interior designers from the waste stream. “This community involvement in Indianapolis comes back full circle to my passion for the built environment,” she said. “It’s just a beautiful, beautiful cycle.”
Ashley McCoy
Civil Engineering Designer
Ashley has been part of our civil engineering team here at MSKTD for a little less than a year. She discovered a passion for civil engineering in her first year of college. “I was an artsy kid and always good at math,” she said, “so initially I thought I wanted to pursue architecture. Once I got to college, I realized in my first semester that I actually enjoyed engineering.”
In her current position, Ashley appreciates the opportunity to grow and learn as she works toward her licensure. “It’s so fulfilling to apply all that I’ve learned to new projects here at MSKTD.”
Christine Spatt
Senior Architectural Design Technician
Christine joined MSKTD in the spring of 1987, first doing manual drafting back when it was done with pen and paper, moving her way up to senior architectural design technician and project manager. “When I graduated from IPFW in 1979,” she said, “architecture and construction were male-dominated fields. I am convinced I would not be where I am today without the help and support of my co-workers at MSKTD.”
Citing opportunities to improve her technical knowledge and increase her project responsibilities, Christine is thankful for the opportunity to work at a firm that rewards quality work and a stellar job performance. “I have been blessed to work on significant projects here at MSKTD with people who want to do good work and have fun doing it.”
Jenniffer Jordan
Marketing and Communications Manager
A relative newcomer to MSKTD, Jenn was excited to bring her marketing and visual communications expertise to the building industry. “I love architecture and interior design as a hobbyist,” she said. “Working at an A/E firm was a natural next step in my career, both for personal interests as well as my professional growth.”
Citing the team’s solutions-minded attitude, Jenn has embraced her new role in the building industry. “We have designed and continue to design incredible projects,” she said, “both locally and around the country, which speaks to the level of exceptional talent here at MSKTD. Most importantly though, across the board, I love our team’s inherent desire to truly serve our clients well.”
Kayce Krueger, CPA
Director of Finance
Kayce has been working in MSKTD’s finance department, first as a finance administrator and now as the director of finance. “It’s rewarding to be part of a team that designs new buildings,” she said. Kayce appreciates a stable industry where she can both work and raise a family.
“In the year-and-a-half that I have worked for MSKTD,” she said, “I have felt fulfilled in my career because I feel like my thoughts and ideas are heard, welcomed, and respected. MSKTD also gives me the opportunity to participate in continuing education to maintain my licensure. I’m also thankful to work at a firm that will stick around for a long time to come.”
Laura Kukelhan, PLA
Senior Landscape Architect
Laura has been part of the team here at MSKTD for almost seven years as the firm’s first in-house landscape architect. Citing an early interest in creative design and problem solving, Laura loves seeing her ideas come to life. “MSKTD projects have given me continued involvement in the zoo exhibit and master planning niche market, and I love the added bonus of broad in-house team support for associated disciplines,” she said.
“MSKTD offers strong support for continuing education requests and in-house, coordinated access to Continuing Education Units (CEUs),” she continued, “and they actively promote company-wide and department events.” This, plus the support she receives for all levels of her projects, makes Laura thankful for her position at MSKTD.
Lara Blankenburg, AIA, LEED AP
Senior Architect and Project Manager
Lara joined MSKTD in the Fall of 2022. “I was attracted to architecture because it combined science and art,” she said. “I had strengths in math and science growing up but also a strong pull toward art and music. Architecture allows me to integrate all of these passions into an ever-changing career, creating spaces for people to use every day.”
One aspect Lara likes most about working with us in our Indianapolis office is the fact that no two days are ever the same. “In the higher education market,” she said, “I am creating spaces for experts in their fields. There is always something to learn. The architects at MSKTD have years of experience working with higher education institutions and so much knowledge to share. I am excited to continue to learn from my team and my clients.”
Of course, one article could never capture all the contributions women are making here at MSKTD, so be on the lookout for our new blog series where we’ll highlight individual women in our office, track their career paths at our firm, and find out why they chose to work in this fulfilling and ever-changing industry.
