View the December 2021 publication of Los Angeles Business Journal‘s Thriving in their 40s. Read more about Jenny’s story below.
Roughly nine percent of architects in the US are Hispanic or Latino, and even fewer are female Mexican immigrants. Jenny has not only forged a path to success in a White, male-dominated space, but she’s also earned the titles of partner and education practice leader along the way.
Motivated by the opportunity to bring needed change to her hometown of Merida, in the Mexican Yucatan, Jenny earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan as a single mother. She migrated to the US and joined CannonDesign in 2005 as an entry-level architect, with a desire to create spaces that not only impact people’s lives but also generate a visceral feeling of belonging. Today, as the education practice leader of our Los Angeles office, Jenny’s drive translates to partnering with colleges and universities to design spaces and strategies that address campus challenges and strengthen opportunities for learning and advancement.
Jenny stands out among her colleagues as an expert in project delivery and client engagement. Among recent highlights has been her work on the University of California, Riverside Student Recreation Center, Ohlone Community College academic core buildings, Santa Monica College Math & Science Building, Bakersfield College Renegade Athletics Complex, Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine and Cal State Northridge Student Union. Her leadership not only helps higher education users, faculty and administrators design spaces that solve problems, but also build environments that are truly inclusive of the spectrum of students on campus.
Inspired by her daughter, Jenny has never lost sight of the power of education. Despite managing an intense portfolio, Jenny recently earned her California architect license, validating her expertise in bringing together all the talents that CannonDesign offers.
Jenny is an advocate for her clients and their students, always striving to create spaces that enrich campuses and drive measurable value long into the future. She is driven to help individuals, organizations and communities realize their full potential, building community, belonging and inclusion. With a particular focus on creating inclusive spaces for diverse learners, Jenny expertly partners with clients to translate their vision of future learning environments. As an immigrant who came to the U.S. and was offered an opportunity to work hard in pursuit of her goals, Jenny’s success reflects her commitment to excellence and her determination to represent her family and community with pride.
