We’re celebrating some of the women leading the way at KAI, spotlighting the incredible women in senior leadership in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. These trailblazing professionals are not only shaping the built environment but also paving the path for future generations. Stay tuned as we continue to unveil new spotlights, sharing inspiring stories and celebrating their contributions and leadership.
Wenguel Yohannes, AIA, NOMA
Wenguel Yohannes, AIA, NOMA has been fascinated with the built environment ever since she was a child, following her civil/structural engineer father around his job sites. His influence and her love of people inspired her career in construction.
“My dad is the reason I am an architect. I used to draw a lot as a kid, and my dad planted a seed that I could be an architect. Ever since then, I knew what I wanted to do,” she recalls.
As a Senior Project Manager at KAI 360CS in DFW, Wenguel oversees building design and construction program management initiatives, ensuring the seamless execution of projects from inception to completion. She acts as a liaison between KAI and the owner.
“I have the unique position of being an owner’s proxy. I communicate with the design team in the language they best understand and translate that back to the client in a more digestible way. People are at the core of what I do,” she said.
Wenguel graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Architecture and started her career as an architect for an AEC firm, where she honed her skills designing healthcare and higher education projects. Her favorite part of the job was interacting with people during end-user meetings and client relations.
In 2024, KAI offered her a position as a Senior Project Manager that would combine her design experience and her exceptional people skills. The job was a perfect fit for the next chapter of her career, and she was excited to work for a firm that celebrates diversity and welcomes women leaders.
“After 14 years of working on the design side, I decided to pivot and work on the owner’s side as a construction manager for a while, but I missed the environment of a design firm,” she recalls. “The opportunity to work with KAI as a Project Manager offered me the best of both worlds. I am in a creative environment, and I get to work with the owners to help drive their vision to reality.”
One of the most memorable moments in her career was attending the ribbon-cutting for the first project she worked on from programming through final construction. Witnessing the tangible side of her work was very satisfying.
Wenguel says that while adversity and barriers will always exist in any career, producing quality work will always see you through to the other side.
“Throughout my career, there have been several challenges that I have faced being in a predominantly male industry. I learned over time to let my work speak for itself as opposed to fighting every challenge. People can’t deny quality work,” she said.