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: Government, Development, Community Outreach, Sustainability, Transportation, Local Arts, Food and Entertainment and Innovation and Technology.
2025 - 2026 PILLARS CLASS
Alexandra Bojarski-Stauffer, AIA - Emerald Hive Design Build
Natalie Buckley - Walter P. Moore
Jessica Carson - JE Dunn Construction
Lane Edson, Assoc. AIA - NSPJ Architects
Kourtney Goss - McCownGordon Construction
Ethan Hale, AIA - Hoefer Welker
Reid Lundin - DLR Group
Emma Meier-Luinenburg, Assoc. AIA - BRR Architecture
Kylie Miller, AIA - Populous
Katie Pruser, Assoc. AIA - HFG Architecture
Jenna Roblee, Assoc. AIA - Finkle + Williams Architecture
Tess Ryan, Assoc. AIA - AECOM
Sean Stattelman, Assoc. AIA - Pulse Design Group
Ryan Sudhoff, AIA - Gensler
Paige Vespestad - Smith & Boucher
Erin Wheeler, AIA - Yaeger Architecture
Pillars December 2025 Overview
In December, the Pillars had the opportunity to learn about the undervalued core of Kansas City: infrastructure and transportation. Starting off the day with an exciting (and competitive) game of transportation trivia, the group got to test their background knowledge against subject matter experts. The Pillars then got to hear from a panel of three KC transportation professionals: Michael Shaw - the assistant director for the Kansas City Department of Public Works, Greg Bolon - the district engineer for MoDOT, and Olivia English - the founder of LiveGreenUSA. Each gave a brief presentation over how our roads are created, maintained, and funded. The Pillars learned how transportation projects can impact local communities; both positively to serve a growing demand and also the struggles of dividing neighborhoods
with large highways. The presenters also touched on sustainability practices that are being implemented around Kansas City - including how local trash is being recycled into
roads.
