Alya Staber is an Associate at Jones Architecture with over a decade of experience in inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered design. A WELL AP, she integrates wellness and equity into every project, recognizing the built environment’s power to enhance quality of life.
In 2024, Alya became a Co-Founder on It Takes a Village, an initiative supported by the AIA Young Architects Forum’s Future Forward Grant. This national effort explores how architecture practices can better support parents and caregivers through flexibility, workplace culture, and systemic change.
A mother of two, Alya’s dual role as designer and caregiver fuels her commitment to building a more inclusive profession. She believes leadership begins with empathy and is passionate about fostering dialogue at the intersection of career, caregiving, and community.
Courses
It Takes a Village: A Guide to Parents and Caregivers in Architecture
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 12-1pm ET
Balancing professional demands with caregiving responsibilities remains a significant challenge in the architecture industry, often impacting employee well-being, retention, and firm culture. This strain on employees threatens the consistency and quality of professional service required to uphold the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants. This session explores how architecture firms can better support parents and caregivers through thoughtful policies and inclusive practices. Panelists will share key findings drawn from in-person workshops and conversations with professionals across the industry, revealing the lived experiences of caregivers and highlighting the gaps in current workplace support. Attendees will be introduced to the adaptive framework recommendations and practical tools aimed at fostering a more equitable and sustainable work environment—a necessary foundation for architecture professionals to focus adequately on design excellence and public safety.