Celebrating International Women’s Day: Spotlight on the Women of HDG
March 8, 2021
Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. It is a global event celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. At HDG, we recognize and celebrate the talented women who make up almost half of our company, and hope to encourage more women to pursue careers in architecture. In honor of International Women’s Day, we’d like to shine a spotlight on the women of HDG who make a difference each day at our company and in the industry:
KRISTY COSTANZO, RA – PROJECT ARCHITECT
Education: Masters of Architecture and Masters in Business Administration, Kent State University; Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Kent State University
Year Joined the Firm: 2011
Recent Projects:
Peters Township School District – High School
Community College of Allegheny County – Chalfant Hall
Wabtec Corporation – New Corporate Headquarters
West View Water Authority – Water Treatment Plant
Community Involvement: Women in Design Pittsburgh, Founding Member of HDG’s Women in Design Group
Hobbies/Interests: Art history, interior design, reading, playing tennis, home renovations, and spending time with her 4-month-old son, Charlie
Favorite Building/Example of Architecture in the World? Duomo in Florence
JENNIFER CARNPROBST – ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
Education: Masters of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Kent State University
Year Joined the Firm: 2014 (as an intern), 2015 (full-time)
Recent Projects:
Oakland Catholic – Innovation Lab Renovations
Springdale Borough – Water Treatment Plant Addition
West Allegheny High School – Science Room Renovations
Peters Township School District – New High School
Wabtec Corporation – New Corporate Headquarters
St. Paul of the Cross – Retreat Center Room Alterations
Community Involvement: Young Architects Forum – Pittsburgh
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, spending time with family and friends
Favorite Building/Example of Architecture in the World?
The Duomo in Florence, Italy
SHEENA SUNDIN, CPSM – MARKETING MANAGER
Education: Bachelor of Science in Communications, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Year Joined the Firm: 2017
Areas of Focus: Leading and preparing all marketing activities to support the HDG brand and business development activities
Community Involvement: Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Pittsburgh Chapter, Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineering Outreach (SPEO), Dormont Elementary PFO, Dormont Athletic Boosters Association (DABA)
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family, coaching baseball, ice skating, skiing, biking, listening to music, and going to concerts and traveling as often as I can (in normal times!)
Favorite Building/Example of Architecture in the World? Close to home – Fallingwater, Further away – the Brooklyn Bridge and most Italian architecture
KAYLA BARKO – ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
Education: Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture, Kent State University
Year Joined the Firm: 2018
Recent Projects:
South Fayette Township School District – Middle School Classroom Alterations
Community College of Allegheny County – Chalfant Hall Renovations
Bethel Park School District – Feasibility Study
Private Residence – Addition and Alterations
Community Involvement: Young Architect’s Forum – AIA Pittsburgh, Women in Design Pittsburgh
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, Outdoor Activities (Hiking, Skiing, Running), Traveling to New Places, Sporting Events, and Concerts
Favorite Building/Example of Architecture in the World? La Sagrada Familia – Barcelona, Spain; Sainte – Chapelle – Paris, France
KARA HOLMES – BUSINESS MANAGER
Education: Bachelor of Arts and Science, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Year Joined the Firm: 2002
Areas of Focus: Accounting, Billing, AIA Contracts, IT Liaison, Human Resources
Community Involvement: Beverly’s Birthdays, South Park Township Library
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, watching movies
Favorite Building/Example of Architecture in the World? Fallingwater
Education: Carnegie Mellon University
Year Joined the Firm: 2021 (as an intern)
Recent Projects:
St. Paul of the Cross – Retreat Center Room Alterations
Buckeye Local School District – South Elementary Repairs/Classroom Renovations
Wonder of…Learning Center – Interior Renovations
Private Residence – Addition and Alterations
Suburban Hospital – Lab Renovations
Community Involvement: Community Advisor/Residential Assistant, Sigma Phi Epsilon, AIAS CMU Member, CMU IMPAQT Team Member
Hobbies/Interests: Skiing, Kayaking, Reading, Traveling, and Plants
Favorite Building/Example of Architecture in the World? My favorite design element is seeing materials played with and expressed in interesting ways.
Happy International Women’s Day to the women of HDG!
