Lyssa believes that design can empower and transform. As a design principal, she leverages a deep portfolio of transformational projects across community and corporate markets. She is also a founding member of HGA’s Community Action program, whose pro-and low-bono design and volunteer services make communities and businesses stronger.
Lyssa approaches each project with empathy and curiosity, engaging diverse stakeholders to develop a solution that reflects the needs of the users. She combines leadership, engagement, and ideation with technical expertise to guide projects from initial concept through to realization.
What excites you about design?
Design is an opportunity to have a positive impact in our community. Our clients come to us with a need, but often don’t know where to start. I enjoy walking with them through the entire process, beginning with their impassioned vision. Then, the creativity that goes into translating that vision into a graphic representation, and finally into reality… it’s very inspiring. The built environment is not a static thing and I love the messiness of “doing,” and then standing in a finished space with the clients who have been through this journey in a way that they are comfortable, excited, and heard.
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Why HGA?
I knew I wanted to work with HGA right out of grad school. At the time, I thought HGA did the best design work and today I still do! We prioritize not only design, but the right kind of design. We have changed the skyline of Milwaukee not because we want to get on the cover of a magazine, but because we want to positively impact peoples’ lives.
Simply put, we deliver solutions that are right for the users and the community. I’ve been with HGA for two decades now and worked to make this philosophy bloom and evolve. Incorporating equity and inclusion within our own office, the AEC industry and the communities we serve strongly aligns with my values. Seeing HGA support grass-roots initiatives like Community Action that make real impacts and changes in communities is why I continue to choose HGA.