Shaping What’s Next: Meet JJCA’s Emerging Leaders

At JJCA, we believe good design starts with great people. And great people don’t just show up—they grow, collaborate, and lead. That’s exactly what we’re seeing from five of our emerging leaders: Kaela Boone, Jenny Wygant, Kris Teubel, Samantha Smith, and Sarah Stevens (left to right in the photo above). They’re not just learning—they’re shaping how we work, how we serve, and where we’re headed.

Here's a little more about each of them:

Kaela Boone
Designing for Balance and Impact
Kaela is a strategist at heart. Since 2021, she’s focused on behavioral health design, where empathy and function go hand in hand. “Architecture touches everyone,” she says. “We have a chance to make that touch a little softer.” Kaela’s passion shows up in the details; she’s thoughtful about how each space will serve its users, and how each decision can support dignity and care.

Bonus Insight: JJCA’s open culture has helped Kaela explore her interests beyond design. She’s also shaping how the firm grows.

Jenny Wygant
Finding the Spark in Every Project
Since joining JJCA in 2019, Jenny has contributed to projects across healthcare, education, and behavioral health. She brings curiosity, care, and a drive to make a difference, especially in communities that need it most. “We’re given the freedom to grow as fast or slow as we want,” she says. Jenny uses that flexibility to deepen her expertise, support her teammates, and guide new interns with insight and encouragement.

Bonus Insight: Jenny believes mentorship goes both ways: she learns as much from interns as they do from her.

Kris Teubel
Asking the Right Questions
Kris joined JJCA in 2022 and brought his love for collaboration with him. With experience in healthcare and behavioral health, he’s not just focused on design outcomes, he’s focused on the process. “Good conversations lead to good solutions,” he says. Kris brings energy and intention to every step, whether he's working with clients or teammates.

Bonus Insight: At a recent retreat, Kris saw how much stronger the team becomes when everyone brings curiosity, not just answers.

Samantha Smith
Turning Ideas Into Reality
Sam joined the team in 2021 and found her groove in construction administration. She loves the challenge of translating design into something that works in the real world. “I like seeing the pieces come together,” she says. Whether she’s leading a call or solving problems on-site, Sam brings calm confidence and a steady hand to complex moments.

Bonus Insight: JJCA has helped Sam stretch, leading more, learning faster, and turning uncertainty into confidence.

Sarah Stevens
Bridging Purpose and Practice
Sarah is all about connection between people, ideas, and phases of a project. Since 2021, she’s worked on everything from rural hospitals to behavioral health centers. “Being a good advocate means going beyond drawings,” she says. Sarah credits JJCA’s culture of mentorship with helping her find her voice, and she brings that same spirit into every project she touches.

Bonus Insight: Sarah sees design as a way to meet real community needs, not just with solutions, but with empathy.

These five are more than talented designers. They’re teammates, mentors, problem-solvers, and difference-makers. And they remind us every day that JJCA’s future is already in good hands.