Ana Matijevic Paredes

Ana has fond memories of the first project that she saw to completion as a young architect. “What I drew on paper became a reality, with actual people sitting there and learning,” she marvels. “That feeling never gets old.” It’s still a heady sensation for Ana, particularly when working on higher ed projects that serve underserved populations. “It’s especially meaningful to see the impact on students who are breaking barriers and pursuing their dreams,” she remarks. “Knowing that my work helps create spaces where they can thrive makes me feel deeply connected to my profession.” One can only imagine how that resonates with Ana, whose own family became refugees from war-torn Yugoslavia in the early ‘90s. “I often wonder how different my life would be if my parents hadn’t made that brave decision to leave,” she says. “Their courage and resilience have profoundly shaped my life, giving me opportunities they couldn’t imagine themselves.”