Katelyn Hudson

37 | Architectural explorer, Cushman Design Group / University of Massachusetts Amherst
Residence: Chittenden

Career Highlights: The career highlight I’m most proud of is completing my Ph.D & D.Arch.  This is primarily around the research opportunities they offered.  The D.Arch allowed me to study how to design homes that are greater attuned to the occupants well being and the Ph.D to explore the history of Architecture in Antarctica.  

Community Involvement: My community involvement includes the Girls Scouts of the Green and White Mountains & American Institute of America – Vermont.  Growing up in the Girl Scouts, I always knew that I wanted to reciprocate the support I received to the next generation.  In a non traditional sense I have served my Council on more of the Governance side; serving on the Board of Directors, as a National Delegate, Long Range Property Planning Committee and Gold Award Committee member.  Similarly, I joined the AIAVT Awards and Scholarship committee to give back to the local architectural professional community.  

I have also enjoyed engaging in public art projects around Southern Vermont that highlight inclusivity and pride in Vermont.  

What motivated you to live and work in Vermont: Having grown up in Vermont, as I travelled farther away from home for school, I gained a deeper appreciation and love for Vermont.  It was always my goal and intention to return and live it Vermont, much to the annoyance of my structural engineering professors in Hawaii when I kept asking about snow load.  

Most inspiring mentor and why: There are so many women who have been incredibly inspiring mentors for me!  Magi Sarvimaki was my doctoral supervisor for both degrees.  She impressed upon me the drive to be empathetic, curious, and determined throughout my academic and architectural career.  

Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is staying at my family’s small camp on Lake Champlain that my great grandfather recycled a demolished house from Montpelier to build.  

Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is running, triathlons, traveling, fiber arts, and spending time with my chinchilla.  

If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The cause I would support is a Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains – for infrastructure development on the Vermont properties and campership for LGBTIA+ Girl Scouts.  

What’s the ideal next move for you in your career: While I’m shifting from professional practice to academia, my next ideal career move is to get licensed as an Architect.  

Drawing on your experiences, what advice would you give to someone looking to get involved in community service: Look at your life, see where you were supported, something that sparked joy, or that you found passion and find opportunities to give back and foster that in others!