Motherhood Panel // Balance?
The game of balance is one every Mom knows too well. Join us for an honest conversation about balance and how we manage.
Thursday May 2nd – 12pm-1pm, on Zoom
Please register to receive the Zoom Link
Moderator
Kristin Schieffer
Kristin Schieffer is a mother of two, wife, and Project Architect with Levy Dykema. She completed her Masters in Architecture at University of Texas at Arlington and became a licensed architect in 2020. She has 12 years of experience in the architecture profession with a mix of small commercial and custom residential. As a LEED certified professional, she is committed to creating environmentally conscious spaces that enrich the community and quality of life. Alongside her professional pursuits, Kristin is a proud mother of two girls with the oldest turning 14 this summer. She also ‘mothers’ two dogs and a cat. Committed to giving back, Kristin actively engages in volunteer work, notably with organizations like Austin Pets Alive, reflecting her dedication to both her professional and personal communities.
Panelist
Juliana Kaplan
Juliana is a multifaceted professional blending the realms of psychology and design. With a background in both fields, she brings a unique perspective to her work as a resource specialist at Gensler, where she combines her expertise in human behavior with her creative eye for interior design and architectural solutions. Juliana is also passionate sustainability thought leader, advocating for environmentally conscious practices in design, architecture and construction, and promoting sustainable living principles. Outside of her career, Juliana is a devoted mother to Noa (7) and August (5), and balances her professional endeavors with her role as a parent, finding fulfillment in both spheres of her life. Her passion for understanding people’s needs, creating sustainable spaces, and enhancing well-being shines through in all aspects of her work and personal life.
Stephi Motal
Stephi Motal, AIA is Managing Partner of Black + Motal Architecture and Urban Design. She joined what was then, Black + Vernooy as a high-school junior in 1996 and quickly grew into a leadership role. Stephi completed the Bachelor of Architecture program at UT Austin, in 2004 and achieved licensure in 2013. Since then, Stephi has served the profession on a variety of committees and board positions for both the Texas Society of Architects and AIA Austin, including as youngest AIA Austin president in 2021. In 2022, she was honored with the AIA Austin Emerging Professional and TxA Early Career Achievement Awards. Stephi and her husband Chad have two sons, the oldest, born when Stephi was just 18, Trenton is 26 years old and lives with his wife in San Diego. Their younger son, Weston, will be 18 later this month and is graduating High School this year. Additionally, her family hosted a German exchange student 10 years ago, Philip who is 25 has become like another son, and visits as often as his studies allow. Stephi was active in her son’s education and activities throughout their childhood serving multiple tours as homeroom parent, team mom, and PTA President.
Sydney Riegel Kelly
Bio and photo coming soon
Bre’Anna Romulus
Bre’Anna Romulus is a mother of two girls, a wife, and a Senior Project Coordinator with The Beck Group. She enjoys all design-related things, from handmade crafts and hand/digital drawings to graphic design. Her passion lies in creating spaces that positively impact people’s daily lives—driven to bring spaces to life through thoughtful design that meets functional needs while inspiring the soul. She earned her Master’s degree from Andrews University and recently moved to Austin in 2021 after living in Boston, MA, for eight years. Bre’Anna is pursuing her architectural license while balancing life with her two energetic daughters. During her spare time, she enjoys crafting with her daughters Janella (5) and Julianna (3), exploring the town, and creating memories playing board games. Bre’Anna and Jean, her husband, habitually share the most recent podcast episodes related to personal growth. They aim to have a lasting impact by cultivating self-awareness and empathy for others. She has the honor of fostering those goals daily through architecture and design.