Meet Catherine Peter, An Architecture for Educational Facilities

Q: What does Empowering Women mean to you?

Catherine: To me, empowering women means making sure they feel like they truly belong, especially in spaces where they are often underrepresented. As a woman working in construction, I have sometimes been the only woman on site. There have been moments when I felt unheard or overlooked, not because of my capabilities, but because of assumptions about who belongs in the room. Empowerment means changing that experience. It means building a culture where women are respected, supported, and trusted to lead, even when they are early in their careers or making difficult decisions. It means believing your voice matters and helping others believe the same about theirs.

Q: How did you get started working in your field?

Catherine: My journey into this field began at home. My mother is a civil engineer who worked on many residential projects in India, and as a child, I often visited construction sites with her. I remember seeing rolls of drafting sheets spread across our house, and those visuals stayed with me. One day, while going to pick her up from a site with my dad, I met the architect she was working with. I was fascinated. That encounter sparked something in me, and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to become an architect. The blend of creativity and construction felt like the perfect fit, and I’ve been following that path ever since.

Q: What do you love most about your job? / What are you most proud of?

Catherine: I work in K12 school construction, and the best part of my job is seeing the smiling faces of the children who will use these spaces every day. Knowing that I have contributed to creating an environment where they will learn, grow, and build memories fills me with pride. As a mother to a seven-year-old daughter, this work feels even more meaningful. The ability to build, to shape spaces that support development and well-being, and to create places that can heal is the greatest gift I could ask for as an architect.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering this line of work?

Catherine: Be curious, stay grounded, and trust your voice. This field blends creativity, coordination, and problem-solving, and it can be incredibly rewarding. It also comes with challenges. Do not be afraid to ask questions, especially on site. Learn from every detail, every conversation, and every mistake. Relationships matter just as much as drawings and deadlines, so take the time to listen and build trust. Always believe in yourself. People tend to trust those who trust in themselves, and that confidence can carry you through even the toughest situations. Your presence makes a difference, and the spaces you help create will speak for you long after the project is complete.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

Catherine: As an immigrant woman, my journey has been shaped by resilience, persistence, and hope. When I first moved to the United States from India, I was on an H4 visa, which did not allow me to work. It was an incredibly difficult period, having professional skills and aspirations but being unable to use them. Shortly after, I became a mother, which added a new layer of responsibility and emotional complexity. I was in a new country, adjusting to a new culture, raising a child, and watching time pass without being able to contribute professionally in the way I had always envisioned.

It took a great deal of strength to pull myself together and decide to return to school. I chose to pursue a degree that would be recognized in the United States so that I could rebuild my career from the ground up. During this process, I also faced serious health challenges, both physical and emotional. There were moments when it felt like everything was working against me, but I held on to the belief that I was meant to do more and that my dreams were still valid, no matter how long they had been put on hold.

Completing my degree, stepping back into the professional world, and contributing to meaningful projects in architecture and construction have been some of the most fulfilling moments of my life. I am proud of what I have achieved so far, but I also know that I still have a long way to go, and that excites me.

I share this part of my story because I want to encourage other women, especially immigrant women who may feel invisible or helpless because of their visa status or life circumstances. You are not alone. The road is not easy, but it is possible. You can pause and come back stronger. You can carry your past with pride and still build a future on your own terms. Go all in, even when it feels uncertain. You have every right to dream big and every ability to make those dreams real.

Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn.