Amanda Roberson Austin is a Michigan native who moved to Seattle to pursue her Masters degree in Architecture at the University of Washington. Her academic work was concentrated in historic preservation. She graduated in June 2004. In addition to her academic pursuits, she has several years of professional experience with a variety of architecture firms. Her experience includes historic preservation, retail, commercial, and gaming projects. She is currently working with Freiheit and Ho Architects in Kirkland, Washington.

One of her proudest accomplishments thus far is taking part in the formation of the National Association for Women in Masonry. She is a founding member of the association and also serves as its current President.

"I am proud to be part of this ambitious new organization. I see so many women in all aspects of the building professions doing their part and successfully leading their chosen field everyday. NAWM hopes to bring together these women who have established themselves as leaders with those new to the industry or who may still be deciding on their future career. NAWM was founded to help build a community of women devoted to leadership and offering opportunities for our continued education and training. This, we believe, will create opportunities for the continued inclusion of women in our fields and lead to a greater recognition of our achievements. "

Since becoming the Executive Director of the Masonry Institute of Washington (MIW) over seven years ago, Barbara has worked diligently to meet the needs and challenges of the design community, with regard to the use and specification of masonry. She came to MIW after owning her own promotion and marketing firm for over ten years.

Having a career in Marketing and Promotion has afforded her the opportunity to meet and work with a variety of architectural firms, and to build lasting relationships with individual architects. She is responsible for such events as the "Masonry: It Makes A Village" design/build competition and the Lunchbox Lessons series of architectural seminars.

As a direct result of a letter from Amanda Roberson, after she attended an Architectural Masonry Symposium in 2003, the seed was planted for an organization which would bring more professional women, into the architectural masonry field.

"I am extremely proud to be among the founding members of NAWM, and for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated professionals as Amanda, Xiaoli, Tung, and Sherri. This idea has grown into a national organization, and there's no end in sight. We won't stop building upon this organization until every state in the union has a chapter, and then we'll go internationally!"

Having obtained three degrees in Architecture (BA, MA of Tsinghua University China and MA of McGill University Canada) and with 18 years of professional experience, Xiaoli has been involved in variety of projects ranging from urban planning to interior design in Residential, Institutional, Hospitality, Commercial and Mix-Use environment.

She has traveled to over 14 countries and has lived and worked in three countries (China, Canada and US) in the last 15 years. With her strong cultural background from China, her home country, and plus the recent years' influence from the western world, she learned to enjoy the great opportunity in the US as well as to adapt to this diversified cultural environment.

If you say the professional experience in China has planted the seed of passion about Masonry in Xiaoli's character, MIW and "it makes a village" competition truly make this seed grow and bloom.

"Being one of the founding member of this great organization-NAWM, I am proud of what we have done. Also, I feel the pressure and responsibility to influence and awaken others to join us. Together, we can change the world!"

Sherri Grueneis, originally from Connecticut, graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with her Bachelor of Architecture in 2000. She has professional experience in Connecticut, New York, California and is currently a registered Washington State Architect employed by Freiheit & Ho Architects, Inc. P.S. in Kirkland, WA. Her experience includes assisted living facilities, retail, commercial, hospitality and gaming projects.

"I am proud to be a member of this unique, visionary group of women and have thoroughly enjoyed the past year of starting up this organization. The knowledge and camaraderie shared between our members has strengthened me professionally and will continue to do so as we grow. I look forward to the future of NAWM and invite you to share in this fantastic organization."