Gratitude for a Year of Growth and Connection

As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind batch of experiences, lessons, and blessings 2024 has thrown my way. It’s been a year alright, marked by moments of incredible joy, profound challenges, and meaningful personal and professional growth—a journey filled with the many layers of life’s complexities.

This spring, I traveled to Croatia for my grandmother’s funeral. These women like her who thrived in a world with so few resources are true heroes. My grandmother’s vitality and creativity—raising children, knitting sweaters, and making something out of almost nothing—were awe-inspiring. Returning to a landscape that felt as though it was welcoming me home to my origins was moving. It reawakened a connection to my roots, like way way back, and this experience has inspired me to apply for my Croatian citizenship which I will be pursuing in 2025. 

Later in the summer, I had the privilege of returning with my daughter, along with a dear friend from Los Angeles, for what became a transformative 'Eat, Pray, Love' kind of summer of bonding and reconnection. Reuniting with family and deepening those relationships was life-changing, a reminder of the strength and beauty that comes from our shared histories and deep bonds.

On the professional front, it’s been a year of exciting milestones for Plana Architects . I assisted the Special Needs Network, Inc. (SNN) in expanding their regional footprint, including opening additional clinics to support broader communities and families and children on the spectrum. Collaborating on such impactful initiatives has been deeply fulfilling. I also worked with the The Buckley School on improvements to their lower school campus, including designing a new library—an opportunity to blend my passion for architecture and design with creating spaces that inspire young minds.

My work in media and online education also reached new heights. I expanded my course offerings, signed batch licensing contracts with LinkedIn Learning, and began developing our own platform. To further this I'll be partnering with other subject matter experts as well and I’m eager to see these collaborations unfold. 

Through my podcast, Dope Designer Club, I’ve been fortunate to host game-changing individuals: a type 1 diabetes advocate, a marketing guru, a bestselling author, a gallery operator, a serial entrepreneur, a filmmaker, a women’s wellness trailblazer, and even Nick Lavery, an active-duty special forces member and author. Each conversation has been a masterclass in resilience, creativity, innovation, and the power of human connection.

Of course, life has its way of delivering challenges when you least expect them. Just as I was navigating these highs, I returned to Europe for my stepdad’s funeral. It was a time of grief, yet in the middle of this, I witnessed my younger brother’s incredible strength. Even in his own sadness, he supported and cared for everyone around him—an important reminder of the grace that can emerge in life’s darkest moments. 

During this trip, I also met a wonderful family from the Children’s Village, a nonprofit collective in central Serbia that fosters children in intimate family settings. Seeing the impact of my brother’s involvement with this organization was humbling, a testament to the quiet ways people make the world a better place.

On a personal level, my daughter Niika marked a significant milestone by finishing her time at Lanai Elementary and starting middle school. Parenthood is a constant lesson in the passage of time and a profound privilege altogether. I am in constant awe of how her mind is developing and how she is constantly growing and blossoming!

Another unexpected gift this year has been the deepening of personal relationships. I’ve grown closer to an incredible group of women who have become like family to me. My “mom tribe” as well as friends from my women's networking group has been a source of laughter, support, strength, and inspiration, and I’m endlessly grateful for their presence in my life. And then... let’s just say that life sometimes surprises us with the kind of love that feels like destiny—a connection that brings hope, joy, and an entirely new lens through which to view life and the future.

As I look ahead, I’m excited! New architectural and media projects are on the horizon, and I’m eager to continue building meaningful connections and fostering closeness with those I hold dear. The beauty of life lies in its unpredictability, and I’m ready!

To anyone reading this, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own journey. In the midst of challenges, there are always blessings to be found—moments of light and love that remind us of what truly matters. Here’s to another year of growth, learning, connection, and the wonder of life’s unfolding story.