Women in Design
Mission
Blue Ridge Women in Design (BR WiD) is an extension of AIA Virginia Women in Design and a committee of the AIA Blue Ridge Chapter, dedicated to connecting, supporting, and advancing women across architecture, design, planning, engineering, and the broader built-environment professions in the Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia.
We cultivate a trusted, inclusive community where women can share knowledge openly, build meaningful professional relationships, and grow as leaders—together. Through conversation, mentorship, peer support, and collective learning, WID Roanoke empowers women to navigate their careers with confidence, advocate for equity and transparency, and contribute to a more sustainable, humane, and rewarding design profession for the long term.
History
In 2026, BR Women in Design was formed in response to a shared recognition among women working across architecture, interior design, planning, and related fields in Southwest Virginia: while the region is rich in design talent, opportunities for sustained connection, mentorship, and open dialogue among women in the profession were limited.
Inspired by the momentum and leadership of Richmond Women in Design, BR WID emerged as a locally rooted extension of a broader movement advocating for equity, visibility, and leadership for women in the built environment. From the outset, the intention was not to replicate another group, but to create a space shaped by the realities, scale, and culture of practice in the Roanoke region; one grounded in trust, relationships, and shared professional experience.
BR Women in Design is committed to cultivating connection, advocacy, and leadership among women in design. Rooted in the Roanoke Valley and aligned with a broader network, BR WiD exists to support women not only in navigating the profession as it is, but in shaping what it can become.
Programs and Events
BR WiD strives to inspire and support women as active members of the design community. Our programming emphasizes career exploration, leadership development, and meaningful connection through shared professional and life experiences. We plan on hosting a range of activities including networking gatherings, talks by women leaders in the field, panel discussions, skill-building workshops, community service initiatives, and collaborative events with Richmond WiD.
Annual Equal Pay Day
[un] Happy Hour
Monthly Virtual
Coffee Chats
More events coming soon, let us know what you’d like to do!
Our Committee Members
Josephine V. Arbaugh, AIA, Leed BD + C
Chair
Josephine is an architect and urban designer with over two decades of experience shaping mission-driven spaces and organizations. Her work spans architecture, urban planning, and community design, with projects ranging from civic and healthcare facilities to downtown revitalization and senior-living communities.
Throughout her career, she has served as designer, project manager, studio director, and solo practitioner, bringing a strategic lens to both design and delivery.
In recent years, she has led organizational restructuring and operational strategy for a disaster restoration firm, aligning business systems with effective project execution.
Josephine is deeply committed to advancing equity, diversity, and women’s leadership in the profession, using her voice to create positive change in both the built environment and the business of design.
Eli Klopfenstein, AIA, NCARB
Vice-Chair
Eli is an Associate at AECOM in Roanoke, VA. As Project Architect, she has worked on a vast array of award winning project types in the Midwest and in Virginia, ranging from K-12 schools, higher education, music venues, judicial courthouses, historic renovations, adaptive reuse, corporate headquarters, municipal government work, and facilities for Federal and Department of Defense clients. Her passion is collaborating with clients to solve complex problems through design.
Eli is a Past-Chair of Iowa Women in Architecture, founder of a design think/make camp called Adventures in Architecture, and a lover of volunteering and travel.
Anne Hall Owen, AIA, NCARB
Program and Events Co-Coordinator
Anne is an Associate at SFCS in Roanoke, Virginia, with more than a decade of experience in design. As an Architect, she delivers client-focused solutions across every phase of a project, from early planning through completion. Her portfolio spans a diverse range of new construction and renovation work, including master planning, commercial projects, and environments for senior living, hospice, and residential communities.
Guided by a passion for universal and inclusive design, Anne approaches each project with a commitment to collaboration, fostering a supportive and solution-oriented process that meets both client needs and user experience.
Anne is a strong advocate for supporting and advancing women in design, actively encouraging mentorship, professional development, and greater representation within the field.
Beyond her professional work, Anne values time with family and friends and enjoys traveling and exploring new places, spending time outdoors, and staying active.
Aidan Brown, Assoc. AIA, WELL AP
Communications Coordinator
I earned my Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech in 2023. During college, managing a local restaurant helped me develop strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, sparking my passion for collaboration and communication. My favorite part about the field is advocacy, working closely with clients, consultants, or coworkers. Architecture is such a broad and ever-evolving field, and I want to learn from every experience, every challenge, and every colleague around me. I currently work at SFCS as a Project Designer and am actively pursuing licensure!
Helen Jadlowski, AIA, NCARB
Program and Events Co-Coordinator
With 15 years of experience in residential architecture, Helen Jadlowski specializes in the intersection of healthcare and senior living design. As an Associate and Design Architect at SFCS Inc. in Roanoke, Virginia, she leads complex, large-scale projects often exceeding $100 million. A 2011 graduate of Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture and Urban Studies, Helen’s expertise spans the entire design spectrum—from master planning expansive communities to the intricate schematic design of memory care environments. Outside the studio, she finds inspiration in art, gardening, and hiking the Appalachian Mountains with her family.
Kristin Machac, PhD, MSEd
Strategic Planning
Kristin is a design strategist, educator, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on human-centered design and creative problem solving. Trained in interior design, she brings a spatial and experiential design perspective to her work helping organizations translate ideas into meaningful outcomes.
As founder of MKM Global Consulting, she collaborates with organizations including KPMG, Autodesk, The World Bank, and Kyndryl to integrate design thinking into strategy and innovation. With experience in higher education leadership, consulting, and real estate entrepreneurship, Kristin brings a collaborative, practical approach to connecting design practice with real-world impact.
Interested in getting involved? Send us an email at widblueridge@gmail.com
BR WiD Mailing List
Sign up to receive calendar invites and updates about upcoming WiD events. We can’t wait to connect with you!