The SFS project management team is made up of three members – Allison Vandever, Lindsay Tatro, and Janet Getz. Allison is a Senior Project Manager and Senior Associate; she brings 20 years of experience and has been at SFS for 12 years. Lindsay is a Senior Project Manager and Senior Associate; she brings 20 years of experience and has been at SFS for 9 years. Janet is a Project Manager and Associate; she brings 15 years of experience and has been at SFS for 4 years.
We took some time to talk to each of them, learn more about each team member below!
Q: Who or what inspires you professionally?
"What inspires me professionally is the people I have the opportunity to work alongside. I’m continually inspired by my colleagues, their passion, creativity, and commitment to creating meaningful experiences for the communities we serve. I’m energized by engaging with people who care deeply about their communities and believe in the power of thoughtful community-based projects to bring people together, create connections, and make a lasting impact. That passion motivates me to keep learning, contribute new ideas, and think about how the work we do can make communities stronger and more connected. I’m also inspired by seeing the impact of that work in my own life, especially watching my family and daughter enjoy the spaces and experiences I’ve helped create. Seeing those spaces become places where people gather, play, connect, and make memories is a powerful reminder of why this work matters to me." - Allison Vandever
Q: What drew you to this field, and how did you get started?
"I was drawn to architecture through a combination of my interests in math and art. In fifth grade, I was assigned a project to explore different career paths and had the opportunity to interview an architect. That experience introduced me to architecture as a profession and sparked an interest that stayed with me. Throughout high school, I took drafting and hand-rendering classes, which further strengthened my interest in design and helped lay the foundation for pursuing a degree in architecture. After graduating, I joined a small firm where I gained early exposure to all phases of the design process. Through that experience, I discovered a passion for project management, which allows me to lead teams, coordinate complex projects, and guide clients and consultants through every stage of design." - Lindsay Tatro
"Since a very young age and probably for far too long, I was always playing with legos, erector sets, kinex, etc. I loved to draw. As a child, if asked to draw a house, I'd draw a floor plan. I think I’d known for a long time that I wanted to be an architect and to say that Art Vandelay, Peter Mitchell, and Sam Baldwin all didn’t have an influence on me would be telling a lie. (If you’re not familiar, please immerse yourself in 80’s/90’s comedy). My early interest in architecture was also largely shaped by my dad. He spent 38 years of his professional life as a mechanical engineer. His working relationship with architects and his drafting tools & 'handyman' skills around the house all certainly had an impact on me—especially seeing, first-hand, his hand-drafted permit drawings of our house addition that he then ultimately built with his dad. While I'm sure my dad would have liked one of his eight kids to have followed in his footsteps, I think I've gotten pretty close. While attending architecture school at KU, my professional career started with a part-time student drafting position at the University of Kansas’ Office of Design and Construction Management. Upon graduation, I continued in the office full-time as a young architectural designer. My time spent in this first role was a perfect steppingstone in my career, exposing me to a variety of building & project types, and the exciting challenges of working within the historic buildings along Jayhawk Boulevard." - Janet Getz
