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Tonie Esteban

principal at BRIC Architecture

Tonie Esteban was inspired by her Mexican-American grandparents to pursue a college degree and, as a first-generation graduate, has seen firsthand how access to quality education can change a person鈥檚 life for the better.

Although she has worked on several different project types, K-12 school projects are her passion. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful that my life鈥檚 work is dedicated to the betterment of others, especially children. This is what motivates me every week and during tough challenges on projects.鈥�

Esteban鈥檚 work in education extends to university career fairs, portfolio reviews, job shadowing and career days at middle schools and high schools, and other opportunities to connect with students about architecture.

鈥淚 also enjoy setting an example for other BIPOC and women students and emerging professionals. I want to encourage their participation in the profession because I feel it鈥檚 so critical to have diverse voices in the profession,鈥� she said.

Esteban leads BRIC鈥檚 Project Management Collaboration Forum, a mentorship space for project managers to meet, share insight into their projects, and receive advice and potential solutions from their peers.

She also was instrumental in developing a new equity-driven approach to BRIC鈥檚 staff performance review process. The reimagined process emphasizes personalized career goal setting, greater accountability between reviewers and reviewees, and transparency.

鈥淭onie is a passionate advocate for diversifying the A/E/C professional pipeline through mentorship and equitable access to licensure. She is a proud 鈥榖arrier breaker鈥� and models the transformative power of a more diverse, inclusive and representative A/E/C industry,鈥� said Karina Ruiz, also a principal at BRIC.

In 2020, Esteban became the first women of color to be elected to the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners. She is also on the board of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and serves on its Diversity & Equity Committee.