F0BA-4C77-B024-21106F695914.jpg">Parental Leave in the Architecture Profession Roundtable

Many architects are looking for flexibility within the profession, searching for a balance between work and life. When it comes to parental leave in the architecture profession, a lot of things aren’t working well. However, architects as a whole are transitioning as policies and generations shift toward a new way of doing things. This week on EntreArchitect podcast, Parental Leave in the Architecture Profession with Angela King, Jennifer Kretschmer, Josh Kunkel, and Stella Osborn.

About our panelists:

Jennifer Kretschmer

Jennifer Kretschmer, AIA founded the firm of J. Kretschmer, Architecture and Art in 2003. The firm specializes in small project delivery, primarily residential under 5000 square feet and commercial projects under 10,000 square feet. The company is committed to client satisfaction and quality professional service.

A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, she is a member of the American Institute of Architects where she has served at the local and state board of directors. She also holds an NCARB certificate. In 2002, Jennifer was awarded national recognition when she was selected National Associate AIA Member of the Year.

In 2006, she was part of a CNBC new segment spotlighting the business of innovations in architectural technology. Through 2006, 2007, and 2008 Ms. Kretschmer wrote articles for the San Jose Mercury News, Ask an Expert segment.

Since moving the firm to Los Gatos in 2008, she has provided service to the community as an Art Docent for LGUSD (2009-present) who serve as volunteer art teachers and as a member of the Measure E Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. Through 2015-2017, she was the chairperson for the AIASV CRAN (Custom Residential Architect Network).

Connect with Jennifer online at JKretschmer.com, or follow her on Twitter & Facebook.

Angela King

Angela King is a mama to 3 youngins ages 8, 12, and 19 and is a Senior Architect for the City of Cincinnati. She is a board member for the National Organization of Minority Architects and is active with AIA. A graduate of the University of Tennessee she continues to bring that Volunteer spirit into the communities and work that she is a part of. Angela is the first woman in the Lumbee tribe to become an Architect.

Connect with Angela King on LinkedIn.

Josh Kunkel

As the son of a contractor, Josh grew up on job sites; he even dug the footings for his family's home addition…at 8 years old! Even though he was raised in the country, he fell in love with the city. He built Legos, K'nex, and dreamed about Frank Lloyd Wright designs. Josh's passions led him to Oklahoma State University, where he earned a BArch degree and an Environmental Studies Certificate. Throughout his career, he has worked on a variety of projects, from large institutional hospitals to small agrarian out buildings. Josh is a licensed Architect in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas, and holds an NCARB certification. He enjoys spending time with his wife and four sons, traveling, attending concerts, making dad jokes, eating tacos, and listening to John Mayer.

Connect with Josh Kunkel online at Method Architecture, follow on Instagram & Facebook.

Stella Osborn

Stella is an experienced Licensed Architect and Project Manager working in the architecture and construction industry for close to 17 years. She has experience in designing and managing the construction of various building types including Private Schools, Athletic Facilities, Commercial Kitchens, Daycares, Healthcare, Retail, Post-Production Facilities, as well as Office Building and Residential work.  Stella enjoys all phases of projects including detailing buildings / working on construction documents as well as ‘stomping in the dirt’ and watching each building come to life.   She has experience in managing and supervising staff, consultants, clients and builders.

She is passionate about creating / designing buildings that help shape our physical environment and that provide shelter for people.  Her skills / specialties include attention to detail, asking questions, trouble-shooting and offering multiple solutions.

Stella has the rigor, dedication and understanding of the need to be a visionary in planning for the future as well as being detail-oriented to execute projects. Her role for each project fluctuates, including, assessing the needs of the Owners / occupants, understanding the program, completing a set of Construction Drawings as well as managing the construction phase. She enjoys the change in scale of each project being able to look at certain projects holistically, to imagine the big picture', while others require her to really zoom in and focus on the details.

To hear more about the ups and downs of parental leave as a small firm architect, listen to the podcast.

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