Meet The Team
Alex Sanchez is a technical designer at geniant+Eastlake Studio and a recent graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Architecture. While in school, she co-founded Beyond the Surface, a platform created to explore the stories and journeys of architects she admires. Passionate about accessible and human-centered design, Alex believes in the power of design to positively transform lives. Through Beyond the Surface, she continues to engage with diverse perspectives and uncover how others approach the design process.
Her leadership and contributions to equity, inclusion, and innovation in architecture have been recognized with a Presidential Citation for Exemplary Performance by the Illinois Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects and the Clinton E. Stryker Distinguished Service Award from Illinois Tech.
Caleb is a designer at Perkins&Will in Chicago. He is a graduate of Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Architecture and Masters of Engineering in Construction Management. While a student at IIT, he co-founded Beyond the Surface, to explore the stories from designers to understand what influences them. He believes good design, especially community focused, public architecture can help build communities and spark growth.
He has been recognized with the I-NOMA 2023 Rising Star Award, Illinois Tech Clinton E. Stryker Distinguished Service Award, the IIT College of Architecture Dwight T. Black Memorial Scholarship fourth year studio award, and the Alpha Rho Chi Bronze Medal.
Erick Armando Silva Jr is pursuing a B.Arch and a minor in Structural Engineering at Illinois Tech. With his involvement in student organizations, Erick also serves as the Executive Vice President of Student Government Association (SGA), the Secretary of the Student Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMASiit) and the Secretary of the Student Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIAS).
Erick believes in the mission and vision of the podcast; to create and foster an environment where all are heard, no matter their background. Erick joined the podcast with that goal in mind and with the hopes to advertise the podcast in a greater way to get listeners all over America. Erick’s role in Illinois tech makes him the best option for bridging the gap between students and the real world. He is eager and ready to take on any new challenges brought to him.
Jlees Ahmed is a recent graduate from Illinois Tech with a B.Arch and is currently pursuing an MA in Conservation and Reuse at the Architectural Association in London. He has interned at AHMM in Oklahoma City and Ennead Architects in New York City. He is interested primarily in the reuse and remediation of structures, materials, and places, especially as they relate to industry.
Ahmed joined the podcast as the Visual Director, firmly believing in its mission of telling the stories of architects from all walks of life, and exploring designs that uplift communities. Ahmed developed the visual language and logo of the podcast.
Chelsea Nguyen is an architectural designer at SMNG A LTD. She graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Structural Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. During her time in school, Chelsea held roles in communication and social media across various student organizations, sparking passion for outreach and story telling. This passion led her to join the Beyond the Surface team, where she now serves as Marketing Coordinator. In this role, she is excited to expand the platform’s reach, helping more audiences engage with the stories and work of architects.
Chelsea believes that our lived experiences deeply inform the way we design. She hopes to leverage social media as a powerful tool to highlight underrepresented voices, promote dialogue, and make architecture more accessible and relatable.
Emily Yeow is an architectural designer at SMNG A, LTD. and a recent graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology, holding a Bachelor’s in Architecture with a minor in Construction Management and a Master’s in Management. Her leadership and volunteering roles within the AIA have connected her with a wide spectrum of professionals, deepening her interest in the narratives that influence designers.
She believes personal stories hold a unique potential to build connections with people, which leads to growth in both design thinking and our relationship with space. As the podcast’s Lead Researcher, Emily uncovers compelling guest stories and explores the value of a designer’s mindset across fields. She is also dedicated to growing the podcast’s reach by securing grants and sponsorships.
