Diversity is defined by who we are as individuals. It is the strength that comes from the dedication, experience, talents, and perspectives of each of us. With respect and appreciation for our differences, we are all contributing to the power diversity can unleash when we work together. Can you guess which of our highlighted teammates are amateur singers or have great recommendations for movies and books? Keep reading for these answers and see how our diverse backgrounds have shaped us!

 

Yemo Koo

Project Manager

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What is your favorite holiday? 

My favorite holiday is Chuseok. Chuseok is Thanksgiving in Korea when all the families gather and celebrate with traditional snacks and food.

What is your comfort food?

Gukbap, the traditional soup-based Korean food perfect for the day after drinking.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Hanging out with different kids in a playground.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I can sing!

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

Minari was the film that I wanted to share with people. It is about an immigrant family from Korea surviving in the USA. I could relate to some of the stuff from the movie to myself.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

When I requested PTO from my supervisor for my dad’s 60th birthday, my supervisor understood the event’s Korean cultural and celebratory meaning and allowed my request. My family were touched by his sincere understanding.

What does Diversity mean to you?

For me, diversity is understanding and appreciation. Although different from your rooted culture, I always appreciate the new characteristics from other cultures and try to adapt them to myself.

 

 

Hayley Pugh

Account Manager

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What is your favorite holiday?

I spent several years as an adult in Baton Rouge. What I love so much about South Louisiana is the willingness to celebrate anything with very little coercion. Everything deserves a parade, and there’s never a bad time to wear a costume. I think before I moved to Louisiana, I might have said something like New Year’s or Independence Day, because I love fireworks and being with friends. Since my time there, I’d say it’s impossible to choose. I love any excuse to celebrate and make a memory.

What is your comfort food?

Anything spicy, for a few reasons. In 2020 my family moved to Missouri from Louisiana, after spending many years there. My husband grew up in southeast Asia. Anyone who has been to the Midwest could tell you there’s certainly a difference in flavor and spice from those regions. I’m almost always disappointed when I go out for meals, so I cook mostly at home. Because of that, I take every opportunity to add some punch to my dishes.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Jelly sandals kids wear in summertime. I still remember the way they felt on my feet; the way they would squish when water and grass would get in them, playing in the sprinklers in my nana’s backyard. I remember the peculiar plastic scent they had when they were brand new and how that scent shifted when they were left in the sun. I remember the little metal buckles that helped them stay strapped to my feet. I remember how tiny rocks and gravel used to get stuck in the design on the sole when I walked through the park’s playground. Those little shoes take me back to the simplicity of summertime during my childhood.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I enjoy worldbuilding, and I think I’m pretty good at it. I play pencil-and-paper roleplaying games with a group of my friends virtually every week. We’ve been playing for years, and I never tire of creating adventures for them and playing host in the world I’ve created to let them explore. It’s a unique translation of a skill afforded to me by my design education and natural affinity for storytelling.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

This might be my favorite question of them all, because in a much bigger way, this question isn’t about me at all, but about me knowing the friend with whom I’m sharing. There are a lot of ways to get me, because I am a huge fan of storytelling and have broad taste in stories. I have some friends I’d want to sit and binge watch all the John Wick movies in a weekend; others might get the Star Wars or Harry Potter marathons; still others might share the 800th viewing of The Big Lebowski or O Brother, Where Art Thou? (both of which I’ll never tire). Some friends might need a quotable comedy, others might require an Oscar hopeful. As for books, I have some friends to whom I’d recommend all the Sarah J. Maas books I read—but others who equally get me might get my recommendations for thrillers or science fiction or fantasy or National Book Award winners. At the heart of this question is really the fact that it’s fun to share, and stories are my very favorite things.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Diversity is about storytelling and perspective. A variety of viewpoints makes the world a beautiful, interesting place to live. In the workplace, these differences should challenge our own narratives and help us understand what it is to be better humans by seeing a world and existence outside ourselves. Diversity strengthens our ability as humans to empathize and oftentimes find commonalities despite our differing backgrounds.

 

 

Mourad Elshokiry

Senior Project Manager

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What is your comfort food?

Mediterranean specialty desserts.

What is your favorite holiday?

New year, I like it because it’s the only event that everyone around the world celebrate in the same time for the same reason.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

The beach, I grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, 5 mins away from the Mediterranean Sea. After school, I moved to work in five other countries, and whenever I need a peaceful moment, I drive to the nearest beach and spend some time looking at the waves.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I studied fine arts for five years, and I enjoy integrating art stories in the interior design projects. For example, I worked on Italian restaurant in Saudi Arabia that had 26 ft diameter dome, and I was inspired by the renaissance art history. A Japanese restaurant in Qatar that was inspired by the Edo period of Japan, Indian restaurant in Oman inspired by the fabric printing technique in India, and a Thai resort in Dubai inspired but the street food culture of Thailand.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

Agora movie 2009, true story about Hypatia (Rachel Weisz) a female mathematician and astronomer who lived in “Greek” Alexandria until 415, the movie is about old topics that still present in our life today, such as how political / religious conflict can escalate to divide societies and burn down civilizations and how authorities tried to keep women / Hypatia quiet, and ended up killing her.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

I think entire Africa has not been heard yet.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Diversity is the unique feature of our planet, we are the only planet in the solar system that has all kinds of animals, birds, colors of flowers, different geographic nature, and humans were able to develop different cultures, foods, knowledge.

 

 

Abby Jean Gorman

Lighting Engineer, Windward

What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving.

What is your comfort food?

Cinnamon pop tarts (frosted).

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Mac and Cheese and county fairs.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I am an exceptionally good packer, able to fit a lot of things within a contained space.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

The Princess Bride.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

Washington State Family Leave was passed into law, enabling my family to receive, practical, family-oriented assistance.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Acceptance and inclusion of all, with all having an open mindset and willing to learn from each other of all parts of our lives.

 

 

Dyuthi Prakesh

Technical Designer

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What is your favorite holiday?

Diwali & Christmas!

What is your comfort food?

Indian street food, otherwise known as, chaat. Some example are dahi puri, a fried pillowy ball filled with yogurt, spices, cilantro, and mashed potato.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Definitely authentic Indian food, which is so rare to find here in the US.

What is a unique talent of yours?

I am really good at remembering names and spellings. When I hear somebody’s name, it is instantly tattooed in my brain, and I can write or spell it out even a year later. I love this talent of mine as it helps me create meaningful first impressions.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg had a huge impact on me. I resonated with her in every way, and I keep going back to this book when I feel stuck in my career or life. I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling stuck in their careers.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

When I was part of the Boston Architectural College (BAC), I had just come to the US for the very first time, I moved here by myself, alone to a foreign country. It was a challenging time, and I missed home. The BAC made me feel right at home, with its diverse student population, and faculty.

What does Diversity mean to you?

In a perfect diverse world, we would all be considered equal, irrespective of race, gender, caste or creed. Just merely being accepted is a challenge, but I would start with getting names right, that’s the first sign of inclusion in any community.

 

 

Kristin Cerutti

Design Leader

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What is your favorite holiday?

Dia de Muertos (the idea of celebrating those lost, and getting the opportunity to share positive memories instead of only feeling sorrow, is so beautiful).

What is your comfort food?

Vegan Pizza

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Crisp fall air reminds me of marching band, football games and swim team

What is a unique talent of yours?

I can write new lyrics to random songs to go with almost any occasion, in the moment. (I’m not sure my husband would refer to this as a talent.) Perhaps being my own manicurist is more impressive. 😊

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

The movie “Jane Goodall: The Hope” (she is my inspiration)

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

When President Obama came into office, was the one time I felt like the majority of the country was feeling the same way I was and that we finally had a say.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Bringing unique minds together, who may not come together otherwise, to share thoughts, ideas and experiences for the betterment of themselves and others.

 

 

Anthony Bah

Technical Designer II

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What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

What is your comfort food?

Fried Plantains.

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

A school bus.

What is a unique talent of yours?

Illustrating.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

James Bond Films.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X civil rights era.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Diversity means that people can mix ideas, cultures, music, art, foods, and experiences with one another to a create unique experiences either for a moment or long lasting.

 

 

Eleanor Mack

Senior Interior Designer

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What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas.

What is your comfort food?

Curry Chicken (Jamaican style).

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

The beach.

What is a unique talent of yours?

Painting and Weaving.

What film/book would you want to share with a friend who “gets” you?

As Good As It Gets and Devil In A Blue Dress.

Describe a time when you felt that you/your community was heard by others?

Still waiting.

What does Diversity mean to you?

Acceptance to differences, cultures and perspectives. Being open to sharing, learning and growing from others without limitations.

 

 

Katie Langub

Project Manager

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What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween!

What is one thing that reminds you of your childhood when you see or think about it?

Rollie Pollie Pill Bugs.

What is a unique talent of yours?

Pottery – It is one of humanity’s oldest inventions and examples span across countless cultures. It is a fascinating way to explore the world and understand how communities live.