Annya Ramirez is a Director at Marvel Architects. She is originally from Puerto Rico + is actively involved in managing both Marvel’s New York + Puerto Rico offices, especially as they work to rebuild the island after Hurricane Maria.
Location: Puerto Rico, Marvel Architects San Juan Office
1. Beverage of choice?
Coca Cola and Ice
2. What are you best known for?
Consensus
3. How did we meet?
We met IRL (in real life) today, but we have crossed paths through the AIA New York Diversity and Inclusion Committee and mutual friends.
4. How did you get here?
How did I get back here? I am reinforcing my commitment to my country through all the work that I do. I want to show my fellow Puerto Ricans that there is no need to migrate to have the opportunities that I have.
5. What are you compensated to do (job)?
I’ve created my job description in the past year. I run two large projects + do the staffing for both offices. I am a project leader/resource /opportunity manager/business developer /matchmaker.
6. What do you like to do?
Swim.
7. Can you suggest a book?
[She actually gave me a book by Lucilla Fuller Marvel titled Listen To What They Say] Read this.
Also, The Power Broker by Robert Caro. It was powerful reading that book as an architect.
8. What is the best lesson you have taught someone?
With junior team members, I always say: You don’t have to change who you are to go places. Work as hard as you can and be yourself. That is your best asset.
9. Where do you go to find inspiration?
The beach.
10. Favorite city and why?
I live on two islands—New York and Puerto Rico—so I have made my own: “San York”
11. Fondest memory:
Most of my best memories have to do with my father. He was the center of any crowd, telling stories and jokes, and people always reacted positively. If he wasn’t there, it was not a real gathering.
12. What would you tell your younger self?
Not to be so worried about the future. It works out when passion is driving you.
13. Who mentored you and what did they teach you?
It was a collective of people. As an autodidact, I collect and archive interactions, advice and lessons.
14. Message in a show or film that resonated with you. What was the film, what was the message?
A League of Their Own, because it was largely about women make an opportunity happen against all odds. The worked really hard to create a league that would be seen on par with the MLB during and beyond the time of World War II.
+ + +