Janica Baker Recognized for AAa/e Leadership
Our profession is strengthened by leaders who invest their time and talent back into the industry and the communities around them. Janica Baker, Studio Manager, Healthcare in our San Diego office, has done exactly that through more than a decade of involvement with the Asian American Architects/Engineers Association. Her leadership has helped support mentorship, scholarship, and community connection across the AEC industry, including the recent launch of AAa/e’s new San Diego Chapter, where she now serves as Vice President. Congratulations, Janica, and thank you for the impact you continue to make in Southern California.
In recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, we celebrate leaders like Janica whose work uplifts and advances the AANHPI community within the AEC industry. Her dedication reflects the spirit of connection, mentorship, and progress that this month honors.
Q&A with Janica Baker
Can you share with us what the Asian American Architects/Engineers Association (AAa/e) is and what its mission means to you?
AAa/e is a professional organization that brings together AANHPI architects, engineers, and contractors to support each other through mentorship, education, and community engagement. I was originally drawn to it because the leadership was fun, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about giving back. I’ve stayed involved because AAa/e continually pushes itself to do better for the community, and along the way, it continues to challenge and inspire me both professionally and personally.
You’ve served on the AAa/e Board for over a decade. What have been some of the most meaningful moments or milestones during your time in leadership?
The AAa/e is known for its strong scholarship program. During COVID, it became clear that we needed a more sustainable way to support future generations, which led to the creation of the AAa/e Endowment. Seeing $500,000 committed to long‑term scholarship funding in 2024 was an incredibly rewarding milestone. Also in 2024, the AAa/e launched an effort to form regional chapters across Southern California. We officially started the San Diego Chapter in April 2026, voting in our inaugural Board of Supervisors.
Your bio mentions you’re passionate about design that positively impacts underserved communities. How do you see the intersection between your professional work in healthcare architecture and your community work with AAa/e?
Both my work as an architect and my role with the AAa/e are driven by listening to community needs and responding thoughtfully. Through the AAa/e, I learned how powerful community‑led goal‑setting can be, and that mindset directly informs my focus on healthcare design. At the core, it’s all about creating spaces and opportunities that enrich the community.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes and vision for the AAa/e San Diego Chapter and the broader AAa/e community?
In the short term, I hope the San Diego Chapter can find and be available to students and professionals who need a community to connect with. In the long term, I hope we can continue growing, whether through the formation of Student Chapters associated with local educational systems or by expanding beyond the city to reach other communities that could benefit from support and connection.
