Intern to Intern: An insight into working at CannonDesign

My name is Juliette Beyer and I'm a Communications Intern based in CannonDesign’s New York City office. I'm a student at the University of Texas, Austin, and am passionate about storytelling, collaboration and the role of design in shaping human experiences.

Over the past few weeks, I've had the chance to interview a number of our interns across a wide variety of disciplines and regions within CannonDesign. Through these interviews, it struck me that we all share a common passion for collaboration, eagerness to learn and creating meaningful impact through design. Here are a few of their stories.

Leah Wilhelms models her creative path

Leah brings creativity, enthusiasm and a strong local perspective to CannonDesign's Portland office as a Design Student Intern. Born and raised in Portland, she's a third-year architecture student at Cal Poly with a minor in dance, where she loves to explore her passion for design and creative expression.

This summer, she's supported architectural design work through digital modeling and technical problem solving, including helping develop and 3D print a site model for Pasadena City College. Outside of work, Leah enjoys dancing, discovering new music and sharing her favorite Portland recommendations.

Joaquin Castillo engineers solutions from the ground up

Joaquin is confident and curious with a passion for problem-solving. Located in our Chicago office, he is a Mechanical Student Intern for the summer. Born and raised in Chicago, he's studying mechanical engineering with a minor in math at the University of Illinois, where his interest in building systems, energy efficiency, and HVAC grew from hands-on experience as a residential building technician.

To date, he's supported mechanical design work involving ductwork coordination energy use analysis and system planning, while also contributing calculations for a project connected to his university. Outside of work, Joaquin is a dedicated taekwondo athlete and gamer.

Apollo Rene builds from the details up

Apollo is a Design Student Intern and is located in the NYC office with me. Originally from Virginia, he studied fine arts at NYU before pursuing a master's degree in architecture at Cornell University, where he continues to blend artistic thinking with technical design.

Over the summer, he's supported construction documentation, construction administration and project coordination, while gaining valuable experience through the Nassau Community College Building K renovation project. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the city through music, fitness, food and time with his friends, bringing the same hands-on approach to the experiences that inspire him as a designer.

Kruti Makwana Designs for a more sustainable future

Kruti has a deep passion for sustainability, and has brought that passion to CannonDesign’s Boston office as a Sustainable Design Student Intern. Born and raised in India, she studied architecture at CEPT University in Ahmedabad before earning her master’s degree in sustainable design from Carnegie Mellon University, where she focused on nature-based materials, prototyping and systems design. 

This summer, she's been archiving certified green building lists, building a green projects portfolio and analyzing energy consumption data, giving her a more technical lens into sustainability. One of her favorite experiences has been an intern group project focused on a wellness building with greener on-site energy strategies. Outside of work, she enjoys Indian folk dance, reading, theater and connecting with fellow interns. 

Madeline Ward finds purpose in healthcare consulting

Madeline, a Blue Cottage consulting intern from Baltimore, began her academic journey at USC, studying biology before shifting to public health. Working fully remote, one of her most impactful experiences was traveling to Chicago with the transition and activation team, where she supported a cancer center project on the University of Chicago campus by taking meeting notes and observing how teams coordinate the complex details needed to make healthcare spaces operational.  

With a particular interest in emergency rooms, she is drawn to their fast-paced environment and the constant need to solve problems in real time. Outside of work, she enjoys golf, baking sourdough and spending time at the beach.

Abigail Hall builds what she imagines

Abby has a love of math, design and hands-on problem-solving. This summer, she's a Structural Student Intern in our Boston office. Born and raised in Hamilton, Virginia, she studied civil engineering at Virginia Tech and is now completing a one-year master’s program in structural engineering, with plans to graduate in spring 2027.

At CannonDesign, she's gotten to work on the ASML chiller plant project in Connecticut, where she contributed to the engineering side of the design process while engaging with the creative and architectural thinking that first sparked her interest. Outside of work, Abby plays rugby at Virginia Tech, uses guitar to de-stress, cheers for the Green Bay Packers.

Jennifer Podhorzer creates spaces worth remembering

Jennifer has a passion for impactful design. She is an Interior Design Student Intern located in the New York City office with Apollo and I. Raised on Long Island, she studied studio art at Brandeis University before pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design in New York, where she is expected to graduate in 2027.

She has a long list of contributions this summer, including researching furniture, materials and library design strategies that help create welcoming and functional spaces for students. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys Broadway, sci-fi and fantasy movies, comics and watching figure skating, and is constantly inspired by the ability of interior design to transform spaces into meaningful experiences for the people who use them.

Jayda Paxton shines through lighting design

Jayda brings creativity and a passion for lighting design to CannonDesign's Boston office as a Lighting Design Student Intern. A junior at UMass Dartmouth studying interior architecture and design, she discovered her interest in lighting through a course that showed her how design decisions can shape the way people experience a space.

This summer, she's contributed to lighting design work for CASA, a healthcare facility focused on supporting women in recovery, where she has seen how lighting can create environments that feel welcoming and restorative. Outside of work, Jayda leads her university's ASID student chapter and is eager to gain experience, expand her knowledge and explore new opportunities within the design industry.

Marin Vines lights up the engineering side of design

Marin brings a growing passion for electrical engineering to CannonDesign's St. Louis office as an Electrical Student Intern. Originally from St. Louis, she is studying electrical engineering at Southern Illinois University and discovered her interest in the field after an introductory circuit course sparked her excitement for engineering design.

She's contributed to projects including the new WashU medical school and a wildlife park in northern St. Louis, gaining experience with electrical systems while seeing firsthand how engineering supports a variety of systems. Outside of work, Marin plays soccer for her college team, enjoys playing the violin, shopping and spending time with her dog.

While each intern’s path into design is different, these interviews collectively reflect a generation eager to create thoughtful, inclusive and impactful work here at CannonDesign.