LAURA STOCK, AIA

Young Architects Forum, MO
Term: 2021-2022


Project Architect at Lamar Johnson Collaborative
“Throughout my 8 year tenure in the architecture field, I’ve participated in numerous forums for the betterment of the profession as well as the community.  To start from the beginning, I graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with my Masters of Architecture during the height of the recession, 2010.  The job market in the field was non-existent and I was from the middle of nowhere, with few prospects.  I spent 3 years moving from company-to-company and town-to-city, slowly gaining contacts and easing into the St. Louis market.  I realized during that time, how critical it is to have a support system and to utilize each and every contact.  Networking became essential and I’ve been a proponent of advancing emerging professionals networks ever since.
 
I joined YAFSTL (Young Architects Forum of St. Louis) back in 2013, became the Vice Chair in 2015, and finally served as the Chair in 2016.  During this time we expanded our study sessions for licensure, hosted numerous networking events, and collaborated with other professional groups to provide our members with the tools to take control of their futures.  YAFSTL was my first experience as a professional in the networking realm and it opened Pandora’s Box.  Since then, I have served on the AIA Continuing Education Committee, held a position on Communications Committee for the St. Louis Women in Architecture, and have attended and helped host numerous activities outside of the AIA, including but not limited to USGBC and NAWIC. 
 
Finally, being a part of these communities has shown me how important it is to give back.  Because of my involvement with these programs, I’ve been able to participate in multiple Habitat for Humanity builds, HomeFirst projects, and have chosen to also give back to on a personal level.  I participate in multiple St. Vincent DePaul outreach programs for the less fortunate, am an active ambassador for Pedal the Cause, and engage in a mentorship program within my current firm.  
 
My touch on the community, within the profession and outside of it, will allow me to be a strong ambassador for the St. Louis region as volunteer on the AIA Central States Emerging Professionals Committee.”