Recognizing Emerging Professionals in the Design and Building Industry
Oregon’s Next recognizes the achievements and community contributions that emerging professionals in the architecture/engineering/construction industry are making. Today’s leadership knows that future opportunities and challenges can be met with the energy of our bright and dedicated rising stars in our field. By awarding Oregon’s Next at Honored Citizen, we can both recognize the lifelong achievements of our honorees while showcasing our support for promising generations to come.
Meet our 2024 Awardees
Join us in congratulating our inaugural Oregon’s Next awardees!
Evon Calabrese, Assoc. AIA, EDAC
Evon is an evidence-based and trauma-informed designer specializing in behavioral healthcare projects at Clark/Kjos Architects. Throughout her career, she has specialized in environmental psychology, inclusive design, design justice, and research. Her research includes notable contributions to substance use disorder facilities, college counseling centers, and health clinics, all focused on enhancing patient care and supporting mental health services. Evon has been an AFO Architects in Schools instructor for three years and represents Oregon on the AIA National Associates Committee.
Kate Jones, PE
Kate is a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Interface Engineering. She has worked on a diverse portfolio of projects across market sectors such as affordable housing, senior living, and the federal government. Kate most enjoys designing building systems that prioritize the world of tomorrow: buildings that are energy efficient while achieving desired aesthetics and providing comfortable spaces for end-users to live and work in. Outside of work, Kate focuses on building up the next generation of engineers, especially women, in order to grow a more diverse pool of talent for future design teams. As part of that effort, she volunteers her time at her alma maters as a mentor to engineering college students and as an advisory board member assisting in the engineering program’s accreditation processes. Additionally, Kate volunteers in her Portland community, providing respite foster care for local families, donating platelets at American Red Cross, and serving meals to the unhoused.
Serena Lim, AIA, NOMA PDX, ILFI
Serena is an architect at Rowell Brokaw Architects with experience working on a range of project types, from design through construction. Her love of nature and interdisciplinary background in the arts and humanities support her passion for ecologically responsible and socially equitable design. As a key member of her firm’s EDI and Sustainability committees, Serena has been instrumental in several initiatives, including evaluating and improving the firm’s hiring practices, applying for ILFI’s JUST label, and signing onto the AIA 2030 Commitment. Serena actively seeks opportunities to do pro bono work with local non-profits, and regularly volunteers with AFO’s Architects in Schools program, Virtual Summer Camp, Hip Hop Architecture Camp, and NOMA PDX.
Ana Yocum, NOMA PDX
Ana is a co-founder and Board Member of NOMA PDX, the Portland Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) where she champions inclusion and equity in the architecture profession. Her work organizing events like the Career Transition Workshop series amplifies the needs of students and emerging professionals while connecting marginalized communities with professional opportunities to move up in the AEC industry. Ana is also an artist and designer, whose collaborations uplift minority, disabled, and queer folks through inviting people to engage in creative activities and conversations that help shape the local community. Ana is a reciprocity-based problem solver, a climber, a dancer, a craftsman of wood, leather, wire, and all the things she doesn’t even know yet herself.
Call for 2024 Nominations
Oregon’s Next candidates are nominated by members of Oregon’s architecture, engineering, construction, and design community. Nominations will be reviewed by our selection committee, who will determine 3-5 awardees. Oregon’s Next will receive their award at the annual Honored Citizen celebration in the fall.
We welcome you to nominate individuals for Oregon’s Next. As we collectively work towards welcoming more voices into the architecture, engineering, and construction fields, who stands out as embodying this welcoming, inclusive mindset?
Nomination Criteria:
- Reside and/or work in the state of Oregon
- Have 10 years or less experience working in the architecture, engineering, construction, and design field (excluding school)
- Show exemplary dedication to community impact (ex. volunteer work, service on boards or committees, workplace culture advancement, professional development focused on community)
- Embody collaboration, access, equity, and inclusion in personal and professional work
- Exhibit promise in work ethic and professional acumen
To nominate your pick for Oregon’s Next, submit a form with a description of your nominee that describes why they are eligible for this award. Please include your name, place of work, and relationship to the nominee. We welcome both self-nominations and nominations from someone else.
We recognize that community impact can mean many things to individuals and communities and welcome stories of impact beyond what we have identified above. We also encourage statewide recognition and hope to see nominations of individuals residing throughout Oregon.