When I started seeking out rising stars to be my fellow, my goal was simple: create opportunities for young talent to sit at tables they wouldn’t normally be invited to. What I didn’t expect was how much I would learn in return. Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with three remarkable fellows—Keiko deClerck, Sarah Hitchcock, and Jonny Noble—each of whom has left a mark on me, and on Clayco.

This wasn’t mentorship in the traditional sense. This was reverse mentorship—a two-way street where the learning flowed both directions.

From Keiko deClerck (Structural Engineer III, STL Office, 2022–2024):

Keiko came from a large, siloed firm where her work was limited strictly to structural engineering. Through the fellowship, she told me,

 “I was able to see so much more—sell Clayco, visit jobs, meet the finance team, lawyers, and understand the full picture.”

But what struck me most was her takeaway on leadership:

“You have to learn to trust other people to do what has to be done—surround yourself with experts and don’t think you have to be everything to everyone. Lean on your people.”

That hit home. Her clarity reminded me that effective leadership isn’t about control—it’s about trust and enabling others to grow.

She also created a five-year growth plan and sat down with me to walk through it. Watching her take ownership of her path was inspiring. It challenged me to rethink how we support talent development, and how accessible we really are to the people around us.

From Sarah Hitchcock (Architecture Fellow during COVID, Chicago):

Sarah and I had weekly 1:1s during one of the most challenging times to lead—when we were all trying to stay connected remotely. She once told me:

“Your door was ALWAYS open. And when we were there, you were fully present.”

That kind of feedback matters. It reminded me that presence—true, undistracted time—might be the most powerful form of mentorship we can give. She also helped open my own eyes wider to architecture.

“We’re always showing up and proving to Bob we’re just as capable as the best of the best. He sees the value of design, and it impacts the whole company.”

Watching her lead while navigating new motherhood, a merger, and a promotion reminded me how much strength our people bring to the table—and how important it is that we never let life milestones feel like setbacks.

From Jonny Noble (Architecture Fellow, Chicago):

Jonny probably said it best: 

“Once I was chosen to be a fellow I started stashing sports coats around different spots in the office, so if Bob ever called, I’d grab my jacket and walk in with confidence.”

It made me laugh—and it’s true he did always have a sport coat on. This taught me that doing what it takes to feel confident matters, and that means you show up as the best version of yourself. Jonny also reminded me of something I needed to hear:

“You assume people at Bob’s level always make the right decision. But he’s not perfect. He’s willing to make mistakes and acknowledge them.”

That’s a lesson in humility—and one I’ll carry with me.

The Fellows Made Me Better

This fellowship has taught me that opening doors isn’t just about giving others access. It’s about inviting their insight in. Keiko, Sarah, and Jonny helped shape how I lead, how I listen, and how I show up. They’ve made me better. And if you’re ever lucky enough to mentor someone—don’t just teach. Let yourself be taught.