Sophia Panova's Linkedin Analytics

1991, Dissolution of the Soviet Union and my birth year. Mostly Russian, part Ukranian (Glory to Ukraine!), born and raised in Kazakhstan (a country most people know of only thanks to Borat), little did I know fate would deliver me to the foot of my destiny here in Boston. First immigrating to Canada at the age of 8 with my divorced parents sitting on two opposite ends of the plane, I hadn’t yet known what richness and diversity of experiences, challenges, and world-views I would be exposed to. When I came to the United States to pursue my dream education at Harvard, I really thought I had surpassed the pinnacle of my capabilities. I was just starting to unearth the true power behind the words “land of opportunity”. Working 3.5 HARD years to get my Master’s degree, I finished my thesis with three days to spare for my 8-hour brain surgery – “you worked too hard”, my parents joked whilst trying to hide their deep concern. With some of the best surgeons in Boston, I am grateful to be here and in fit health. A month later I was nervous and excited to start my first job out of school at William Rawn Associates, working with some of the best designers and architects in the industry, I absorbed the company’s high ethical standards, appreciation of process, and creative passion. Once more, working HARD to obtain licensure and my LEED certification (with the full support and motivation of WRA and colleagues), I finally came to terms that this profession requires years and years of training and experience to just begin to understand all its complexities. So, I challenged myself again. I founded my own little office after becoming a mother to a wonderful little boy named Leonid. And BOY, is it a messy, interrupted, and magnificent challenge! Now I get to work on my own little projects, or contract for others. My goal now is to grow my business and my network. I believe that the architectural profession is undergoing another major transformation, and I want to dig deep to find the roots for new delivery methods, business strategies, and design methods. Let’s connect, or work together, or brainstorm, let’s build buildings and ideas.