Recognized and honored as Ankrom Moisan’s 2024 Q4 Design Champion, Monika Araujo, Senior Associate, is an active and vital member of her team. In her role as an interior designer, she has made many connections with her coworkers, who constantly support her, encouraging her to grow, learn, and follow what fascinates her.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with some wonderful people here,” she shared. “I enjoy being at Ankrom Moisan because I’m always learning and growing as an interior designer and project manager. My job is always evolving, never stagnant. I can thank Ankrom Moisan for empowering me to pursue my interests.”
Monika’s interests, it seems, revolve around creating well-designed senior communities with her close-knit team, who she credits for the beautiful, impactful work they do. “I find a great team to be key for a successful project. Nurturing relationships over many years develops trust which fosters smooth, efficient, well-designed projects,” Monika said. “I look forward to coming to work every day and having fun with my team. Spending every day with hard-working creatives is a gift.”
Monika on the roof of Ankrom Moisan’s Portland office
“I enjoy being a member of the Senior Communities Studio because we get to design so many types of senior-friendly spaces,” Monika shared. She loves the variety of work that the Senior Communities Studio does, ranging from healthcare and amenities to apartments and offices. “I like doing both renovations and ground-up projects,” she said. “It’s good to have a mix of both.”
Whether it’s for a renovation or a ground-up project, Monika’s favorite aspect of design is the planning process. “I see design as a thoughtful, intentional planning process that leads to the creation and implementation of beautiful, cohesive, functional spaces,” she said. “The cherry on top is seeing people enjoy the spaces we create.”
Seeking inspiration for the thoughtful planning process of design, Monika turns toward nature and the environment around her. “I look for beauty in everyday experiences,” she shared. “Whenever I feel stuck, I go for a walk and spend time away from my desk.”
Monika on top of the Portland office
Since starting at Ankrom Moisan, Monika has grown constantly. “At this stage, I can balance managing multiple projects because I’ve grown professionally every year: learning new skills, maintaining positive relationships, and designing various project types. I have more to learn and experience, and I’m excited to continue my path,” she said.
“I feel a big part of growing professionally is making the time to think and process,” Monika added. “Ankrom Moisan nurtures our well-being in this way so that we can continue to make strides in our profession.
Monika’s nomination video
Called out in her nomination video by Jayne Arnold, Interior Designer, for how organized, approachable, open, and knowledgable she is, Monika explains how she balances the technical, design-oriented aspects of her role with the social relationship building she’s done with clients, excelling at both. “I don’t shy away from learning something new,” Monika revealed. “The more I engage with understanding all the work that goes into building spaces, including the architectural, consultant, and contractors’ work, the more I have to offer our clients during design and construction meetings.”
Alissa Brandt, Vice President of Interiors, also quite literally sang Monika’s praise, highlighting how Monika is a mentor to the rest of the Senior Communities team and always brings her best. That element of mentorship is something that Monika values greatly, “I enjoy mentoring other designers. I’ve had many mentors in my career that have helped me along my path. My advice to new design professionals is to seek out a mentor,” said Monika. “Secondly, also aim to improve yourself. Take classes, attend events, visit places, and listen to clients.”
When she learned that she was one of 2024’s Q4 Reward & Recognition Champions, Monika took a moment to acknowledge that her efforts do not exist in a vacuum, and that her team is a big influence on how she approaches her work. “It feels great to be recognized, of course. I’m lucky to work with such a talented team that shares a similar vision to work hard and create beautiful, functional spaces.”
Thinking about how the Reward & Recognition program will continue to honor the efforts of Ankrom Moisan Employees in the future, Monika reflected on how important it is that hard work is both recognized and celebrated. “It’s important to recognize people so they feel they are an integral part of AM,” she said. “I hope the legacy of the program will be that we keep honoring our teammates over the years, so they feel valued.”