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maven /mey-vuhn/
n. one who is experienced or knowledgeable; an expert or connoisseur
Jean Underwood
Principal
AIA, NCARB, LEED AP O+M
Jean leads Design Mavens and is responsible for guiding its vision, growth, and goals.
She co-founded Design Mavens with a goal of advancing equity and diversity in the profession of architecture and positively impacting her local community.
Jean has over 24 years of experience in Illinois and Iowa with a focus on PreK-12 schools. She has a passion for improving PreK-12 educational experiences for every student, no matter their background, abilities, talents, or passions.
Jean loves to wind down outdoors with camping and gardening in the warmer months, and indoors with quilting and watching movies in the cold months.
Licensed Architect: Illinois, Iowa
Education: Master of Architecture, University of Illinois
Bachelor of Science-Architectural Studies, University of Illinois
Sarah Joos
Principal
AIA, DBIA, LEED AP BD+C
Sarah directs operations at Design Mavens including developing processes and quality controls that best serve our clients.
She co-founded Design Mavens with a goal to have a greater impact on her community.
Sarah has over 18 years of experience in Illinois and Missouri. Her focus is on Healthcare, PreK-12 schools and Higher Education. She is passionate about designing spaces that have the most impact for improving the human experience.
In her spare time, you can find Sarah with her husband and six children outdoors at the local parks, zoo, beach or out for a walk in their neighborhood.
Licensed Architect: Illinois, Missouri
Education: Bachelor of Architecture, Drury University
Fine Arts, Art History & Global Studies Minors, Drury University
Anita Lanning
Principal
AIA, LEED AP
Anita directs design of all Design Mavens projects including exteriors, interiors, and 3D Visualizations.
She co-founded Design Mavens to prove that people can trust their local architect with their hopes, dreams, and buildings.
Anita has 21 years of experience designing spaces for learning, gathering, cooking, worshiping, healing, and working. She is passionate about creating spaces that are functional, comfortable, and inclusive. One of her favorite spaces to design is Children's areas.
Anita loves biking, paddle boarding, crafting, and watercolor painting.
Licensed Architect: Illinois
Education: Bachelor of Science-Architectural Studies, University of Illinois
Aaron Neal
Project Architect
AIA, NCARB
Aaron has 8 years of architectural experience working in Illinois. Over this time, he has worked on a variety of project types, but has developed a focus on Illinois K-12 education assisting school districts across the state. Aaron is passionate about using his architecture profession to make positive impacts within his local cities and in the surrounding communities.
Outside of architecture, Aaron enjoys writing, woodworking, model-making, and serving on the worship team for his church.
Licensed Architect: Illinois
Education: Master of Architecture, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Bachelor of Architectural Studies with Math Minor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Associates of Science with Honors, Lincoln Land Community College
Jenny Fuqua
Principal
AIA, NCARB
Jenny directs the finances at Design Mavens and leads all social media efforts to share our mission with the community.
She co-founded Design Mavens to take a more personal approach to doing business and to empower others to do the same.
Jenny has over 14 years of experience in Illinois and Iowa. She began her career focusing on structural design for a variety of project types and over time transitioned to the role of Project Architect.
Jenny enjoys a good cup of coffee, yoga, trying out new recipes, and traveling the world.
Licensed Architect: Illinois, Iowa
Education: Master of Architecture, Master of Business Administration, University of Illinois
Bachelor of Science-Architectural Studies, University of Illinois
Raissa Gonzalez
Architectural Associate
Assoc. AIA
Excellence, passion, and resilience define Raissa's approach to her career. Originally from Bolivia, she pursued a bachelor’s degree before embarking on a Master's in Architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her ambition secured her full funding through prestigious fellowships, empowering her to dream boldly and advance her architectural journey with Design Mavens. Before joining Design Mavens, Raissa accumulated two years of valuable experience in the architecture field, participated in international contests and funded an Architectural collective at her hometown. Beyond her professional pursuits, Raissa finds joy in travel, learning languages, nurturing her community garden, and mentoring young Latin-American students to achieve their academic goals abroad.
Education: Master of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor’s of Architecture with Honors, Mayor de San Andres University
Joey Kuenstler
Project Manager
Assoc. AIA
Joey has over 12 years of architectural experience in Illinois with a focus on Pre-K – 12 schools, higher education, religious facilities, and 3D visualization/renderings. He is passionate about transforming the client’s needs and vision to the built environment while establishing a relationship and trust with the client’s that their expectations are understood and met.
Joey enjoys spending time with his son, wife and two miniature schnauzers, coaching and playing basketball, traveling, listening to podcasts, going to concerts, and being a saltwater aquarist.
Education: Master of Architecture, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Bachelor of Science – Architectural Studies, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Associate of Science – Architectural Studies/CAD, Vincennes University
Meghan Roller
Senior Project Manager
AIA, NCARB
With over 14 years of experience, Meghan brings attention to detail and dedication to excellence to all her projects. She has project experience across a variety of market sectors with a focus on Healthcare, Business and Municipal. Meghan is a licensed architect and Senior Project Manager at Design Mavens responsible for multiple facets of architectural practice from project conception to project completion. She is experienced in multiple project delivery methods and successful with on-time and on-budget project outcomes.
Meghan loves reading, drawing, oil painting, cracking jokes, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Licensed Architect: Illinois
Education: Master of Architecture, University of Illinois
Bachelor of Science-Architectural Studies, University of Illinois