Spring has been full of new clients and design opportunities – as well as implementing our strategic growth plan. We’re excited to share with you those who have joined the Odimo team so far in 2022.
Natasha Derakhshanian, Office Manager
Natasha brings over two decades of business administration and management experience to ensure the seamless support of Odimo’s daily operations. In addition to providing efficiency to our financial and project management processes, she has been instrumental in finalizing our new innovative compensation policy, as well as ensuring office snacks are well stocked. Natasha looks forward to building strong relationships with her colleagues and “wearing lots of different hats” so that the design team can continue to perform at the highest levels.
Prior to joining Odimo, Natasha served in a management capacity for Citizens of the World Charter Schools where she oversaw their daily operations—including but not limited to technology and information system management, HR support, payroll, vendor relationships, and more. Natasha has also served in key administrative roles for the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition and the Mid America Assistance Coalition, among other businesses.
Outside of her contributions to Odimo, Natasha is an active member of the Kansas City arts and education community. Currently, she volunteers with the Kansas City Kansas Organic Teaching Gardens and performs as a violinist with the local Westwood Ensemble and Lenexa Community Orchestra. She also performed with and served as a board member for the Kansas City Kansas Community Orchestra.
Aaron Bolli, Architectural Designer
Aaron joined us in January after four years as an architectural designer with our friends at KEM Studio. He brings a depth and breadth of experience in taking projects from concept to completion for single- and multi-family residences as well as commercial projects. At Odimo, Aaron looks forward to collaborating with our team to further our client’s vision and success.
Aaron’s decision to pursue architecture as a career path was positively influenced by the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Architecture, Urban Planning and Design (AUPD) program; and he ultimately earned a Master of Architecture degree from Kansas State University. To deepen his understanding of the field, Aaron undertook additional educational experiences while earning his Master’s—including a semester-long CIEE Global Architecture and Design program with the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) (Barcelona, Spain). In addition, Aaron pursued his interest in neuroscience and the built environment by presenting a poster at an Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) (La Jolla, CA) conference. Aaron’s chosen career pathway is also influenced by his father who worked for many years as a woodworker and true craftsman.
Winston Churchill’s view—”We shape our buildings; and afterward, they shape us”—resonates with Aaron, and inspires his commitment to improving people’s lives through design-forward architecture. In his free time, he enjoys playing frisbee golf outdoors with friends and participating in cleanup days around Kessler Park.
Jeremy Nelson, Senior Project Architect
Jeremy joined Odimo in May as an Architect and Project Manager with an emphasis on higher education. As an innovator and leader, Jeremy is always searching for new and more efficient ways to deliver architecture. His leadership will drive our implementation of technology standards, improved building information modeling, and sustainability.
Passionate about creative problem solving for inspiring spaces and continuous learning, Jeremy has cultivated a career in architecture as an interpreter between scales, including community planning, construction, sustainability, and wellness in human-centered design. The arts have played a significant role in Jeremy’s life, and fortunately as an architect, he has had an opportunity to design and influence spaces for the creation of art. His previous experience at BNIM Architects includes the gateway project at Princeton University – the Lewis Center for the Arts, a new lobby renovation and addition at McCain Auditorium at Kansas State University, and the REACH expansion at the Kennedy Center.
Jeremy is committed to giving back through using his professional knowledge for non-profits and communities through Eco Abet, as well as educating the next generation of diverse designers through Prep KC, WID, University Academy shadow and career programs, and speaking and guest critiquing at local architecture schools. In his own neighborhood, he is advocating for more sustainable practices and community building.
We are looking forward to a busy summer and fall serving our clients together with this new talent!