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In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting the voices of emerging female professionals shaping the future of healthcare architecture and design. We sat down with Carissa Mejia, a thoughtful and talented young designer at Wilmot Sanz, to talk about her journey into a historically male-dominated field, the importance of mentorship, and how empathy, creativity, and community drive her work.
Carissa’s insights remind us that representation matters—and that sharing our stories can spark confidence in others who are just beginning their own.
"I found that designing and building was a very life-giving creative outlet for me. Honestly, no one told me I couldn’t."
Carissa credits her father—a strong, supportive male role model—for introducing her to architecture. With his encouragement, she began exploring the field, discovering an energizing combination of creativity and structure. It wasn’t until later that she became fully aware of how male-dominated the industry could be.
"But once I realized it, I didn’t want to give up something I enjoyed just because I might be the odd one out. That realization actually deepened my commitment."
“Embrace your limits. That sounds contradictory, but once I stopped harping on the things I couldn’t do, I was free to focus on all the things I could do.”
Carissa reflects on early experiences working on construction sites, where physical differences between her and her male counterparts sometimes left her feeling uncertain. But over time, she learned to reframe those moments—not as shortcomings, but as part of her unique path.
"Just because your body’s design is different doesn’t mean you are of any less value. You bring something different to the table—and that has power."
She also encourages young women to seek out mentors and allies—regardless of gender.
“In spaces where there aren’t many women, find the men who are willing to support you, and don’t sweat the ones who aren’t. Sometimes, remembering you’re surrounded by brothers, dads, uncles, and grandfathers can help shake the nerves.”
“As more women join the field, our perspectives can affirm or challenge how we solve design problems. Our input leads to more thoughtful, well-rounded solutions.”
Carissa finds strength in seeing women at different stages of their professional journeys—proof that they have navigated challenges and found ways to balance personal and professional responsibilities.
“It’s incredibly motivating to know that others have walked this path and succeeded. Their resilience encourages me to keep going.”
Carissa lights up when talking about the women who have shaped her perspective. Three stand out:
Carissa hopes to one day be a mentor herself—offering the same support and encouragement she received.
“Chau once told me, ‘What you want to do may not have a title or job description yet. A career unfolds differently for everyone, so enjoy the journey.’ That advice has stayed with me, and I’d love to pass that along to someone else.”
Carissa’s story reflects a quiet strength, a commitment to community, and a willingness to forge her own path. As more women enter architecture and design, voices like hers will continue to shape a more inclusive and empathetic future for the profession.
At Wilmot Sanz, we’re proud to celebrate Carissa and all of the women who inspire, lead, and create alongside us—not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.
