Quinn Evans, a leading national design firm, has promoted Andrew Hollomon, Carolina Uechi, Jay Ranaweera, Jodie Day, Kemba Braynon, and Ruth Mills to senior associate, and Daniela Tai, Fatima Beacham, Kelly Gawinek, and Lauren Comet to Associate.
SENIOR ASSOCIATES
Andrew Hollomon is Quinn Evans’ chief technology officer. He joined the firm in 2020, bringing two decades of experience in aligning technology tools with design services to enhance both the design process and the built environment. Andrew holds a Master of Science in Information and Telecommunication Systems from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the College of William & Mary. He is a member of NCMS – the Society of Industrial Security Professionals and the AEC IT Leaders Organization.
Carolina Uechi, AIA, practices at the intersection of cultural spaces, historic preservation, and inclusive design, and has presented widely on the subject of sensory mapping for museum exhibits. Since joining Quinn Evans in 2016, Carolina has made key contributions to several projects for the Smithsonian Institution, including the Bird House at the National Zoo; the Molina Family Latino Gallery, the first gallery of the National Museum of the American Latino; and the ongoing modernization of the National Air and Space Museum. Carolina holds a Master of Architecture, Master of Arts in Real Estate Development, and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Maryland. She has 11 years of experience.
Jay Ranaweera, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, seeks to create places that empower communities and improve urban environments through design. His portfolio includes affordable housing developments like Walbrook Mill and the Homes at Oxon Hill, as well as higher education projects like the Coppin State University College of Business. Jay joined Quinn Evans in 2017 and has 13 years of experience. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Maryland. Jay is a member of the Urban Land Institute and is a part of the Baltimore chapter’s affordable housing committee.
Jodie Day, CPSM, is the marketing manager for Quinn Evans’ learning practice area. With nearly three decades of experience in market research, strategic planning, and business development for the building industry, Jodie leverages her knowledge to lead successful pursuits for K-12, higher education, and library projects. Jodie holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from California State University.
Kemba Braynon, AIA, brings a deep interest in history and sense of place to her work. She has lent her expertise in historic preservation to projects as varied as structures on Detroit’s Belle Isle State Park, historic Amtrak train stations throughout the country, and 375 Reconnecting Communities. Kemba holds a Master of Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Architecture, and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Michigan. She is a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects and a past president of the Detroit chapter. She is also a past chair of the Michigan State Historic Preservation Review Board. Kemba joined Quinn Evans in 2015 and has 24 years of experience.
Ruth Mills, MA, MS, is a senior historian with over 30 years of experience, 22 of them with Quinn Evans. She has contributed to dozens of historic structure and cultural landscape reports in addition to National Register of Historic Places nominations, historic resources surveys, and cultural resource management plans. She has lent her expertise to projects including Michigan Central Station and the 20th Century African American Civil Rights Sites project in Detroit. Ruth holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Arts in Comparative History and Bachelor of Arts in History from Central Michigan University. She is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Association for Preservation Technology; a past president of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network; and a member of Docomomo and past president of the Michigan chapter.
ASSOCIATES
Daniela Tai, AIA, NOMA, LEED GA, began her career in architecture as a summer “Quinntern” in 2018. Today she contributes to the renewal of a wide range of buildings, from monumental federal edifices to the mid-century Kimball Recital Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Daniela holds a Master of Architecture and Master of Historic Preservation from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Florida. She is a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects and was a selection committee member for the Telling the Full History Preservation Fund.
Fatima Beacham, WELL AP, Fitwel Amb., is a senior interior designer with more than two decades of experience creating spaces that support users’ health and wellness. Since joining Quinn Evans in 2016 she has designed interiors for libraries including the Clinton-Macomb Public Library North Branch and multiple branches of the Grosse Pointe Public Library in addition to federal government projects like the Rosa Parks Federal Building and the National Air and Space Museum. Fatima holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from Ohio State University. She is a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects and Commercial Real Estate Women and an associate member of the International Interior Design Association.
Kelly Gawinek, AIA, focuses on the revitalization of existing buildings as a key to helping communities thrive. Her projects include the restoration of the Basilica of Sainte Anne de Détroit; multiple projects at Eastern Michigan University, including the renovation of Pierce Hall; and the adaptive reuse of Buffalo Central Terminal. Kelly joined Quinn Evans in 2021 and has 14 years of experience. She holds a Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Design Research from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture/Environmental Design from Bowling Green State University. Kelly is a member of the Association for Preservation Technology and the Michigan Historic Preservation Network and a former secretary of the Huron Valley chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Lauren Comet, CID, IIDA, LEED AP, is a senior interior designer focusing on library and K-12 education spaces. With two decades of experience, her work includes design for both new spaces such as the Newark Free Library as well as modernizations of historic structures like Fox Elementary School. Lauren holds a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Tennessee. She is a member of the Urban Land Institute and is active in the Young Leader Mentorship Forum and Women’s Leadership Initiative of the organization’s Virginia chapter. Lauren joined Quinn Evans in 2023.
