Rachel Vedder
Graduate Architect Age: 32 Hometown: Fort Wayne Residence: Fort Wayne Company: Design Collaborative Community organizations you support and in which you are involved:
City of Fort Wayne Historic Preservation Commission, Northeast Indiana Beekeeper’s Association, Williams Woodland Park Neighborhood, Best Practices Neighborhood Initiative 2013, YLNI Any hidden talents? I have an uncanny ability to find four-leaf clovers. Which social networks do you use?
Facebook, Instagram and I occasionally update LinkedIn when the marketing department tells me that it’s necessary.
Which form of communication do you use most frequently? Most
frequent form of communication for work is probably email with phone as a close second. Some things are just better handled over the phone or in person. I text quite a bit, too – mostly with family, friends and colleagues. What is your biggest accomplishment within your workplace, school or community?
I’m mostly proud of finding such an awesome place within the community – with home and with work – and being able to contribute to its future in small or big ways. I grew up here and was that teen always complaining that there was nothing to do. Now, I see the growth underway and appreciate all of the exciting things Fort Wayne has to offer. I love being a part of the progress. Whether that’s the Turnstone Big Dream, USF Downtown, Riverfront FW, or our continuous improvements within our incredible neighborhood, Williams Woodland Park. I am just so proud to help make things happen in my hometown. What did you learn along the way while achieving this?
I’ve learned just how much a small group of people can influence the future of their community with enough hard work and dedication. Change is rarely easy, but there’s a great rate of return for any investment made. To what do you contribute your success to date?
Any success I have is only because there’s an awesome team of people that I get to work with making that happen. Design Collaborative is chock-full of talented people willing to put in extra effort to assure that a building’s design
addresses the client’s needs and desires in an impactful way. Moreover, DC people are talented and fun. Same is true for our corner of the 46807. Almost all of our neighbors have renovated their homes in the last five to 10 years. That sense of rejuvenation spills onto the porches and sidewalks and streets that make up Williams Woodland Park. Last but not least, my partner in this adventure, Justin, is a big part of all of my successes. Whatever catchy saying there is about marriage not being 50/50 but 100/100 is true. Our successes are result of a team effort in supporting the life we dream about. All these efforts generate a collective, encouraging energy. That positive momentum is what I consider success. What is the largest obstacle you have overcome to achieve what you have thus far?
It’s hard for me to jump into the water even though I can’t see the bottom, so to speak. But I’m learning to that following 20 Millennials • 2016• fwbusiness.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
my gut and my heart leads to good things every single time. Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years? Here. Only more involved
in the community, better at my job, and making a bigger difference. What superhero best represents you? My initial though was Batman;
I like his cape, wear a lot of black and have had my fair share of experiences with bats in my old home. But after asking the office superhero expert, I’ll go with Jean Grey. Something about her powers of perception resonates with me. What is a millennial stereotype that fits you? My phone is another
appendage; I’m anxious if I ever leave it at home. Also, I find integrating work & life is more successful than trying to strike a balance.
What is the most misunderstood aspect of the millennial generation in your opinion? That we are lazy and feel
entitled. That’s certainly not true of the millennials I work with daily.
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