Shelter welcomes new faces

This year has brought many changes, both in and out of the office. While adapting to new remote workflows and establishing physical distancing measures to keep us and our clients safe, we’ve also added several names to the company roster. Join us in welcoming the newest members of Team Shelter!

Lisa Africano: Interior Designer

Lisa is the principal designer and owner of LA Design North, founded in Wausau, Wisconsin. As an entrepreneur in the design field, Lisa’s expansive background includes design purchasing, spatial planning and remodeling, furnishing, and aesthetic coordination. Her work has been featured in Lakeshore Living, Country Home, and Better Homes and Gardens.

Mike Stark: Architect

Mike is a licensed architect with a background in commercial design and office planning. He worked on the team that designed the Jack Link’s office and The 15 Building office complex, both in downtown Minneapolis. Mike is passionate about learning, fixing and creating. His excellent project-visualization skills include rendering and producing animations and graphic presentations.

Kate Arneson: Marketing and Graphic Design

Kate is a recent St. Olaf College graduate with a background in mathematics and studio art. She met Shelter founding partner Kurt Gough as a student in his St. Olaf studio course; now she works alongside him on project proposals and marketing presentations. While she’s not creating awesome graphics for Shelter, she works as a research associate for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Seattle.

Sam Lauer: Architectural Intern

Sam is a part-time designer at Shelter currently working toward his Bachelor of Architecture degree at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis. Sam’s experience includes earning a bachelor’s degree in German followed by teaching overseas in Austria! He is detail-oriented, has a breadth of technical knowledge, and enjoys problem-solving.

Vera Colpaert: Future Designer

Interior designer Jackie Colpaert and her husband, Ian, welcomed Vera Lucille Colpaert into their family on July 4! At 3 months old, she is an absolutely beautiful little girl. We are so happy for Jackie and Ian as they spend time together as a family. We expect Jackie back at work with the Shelter team in January.

Jen Wojtysiak: Architectural Designer

Jen is not a new face at Shelter — but she recently took on a new name! Formerly Jen Hakala, she and her husband, Tony, were married on July 31 in Duluth, Minnesota.