With a decade at Wilmot Sanz, Amanda Ripley’s leadership in the firm has positioned her to take on the role of Associate Principal. Reflecting on her journey, Amanda recognizes the impact of being a woman in leadership and the collaborative culture that has helped her grow within the firm. Her passion for healthcare design stems from a deeply personal connection—her family’s ties to the industry, from nursing administration to MEP engineering, inspired her to pursue a career where she could make a meaningful difference. That drive was solidified during her undergraduate years when she worked on a women’s health facility, cementing her passion for healthcare architecture.
As she steps into her new role, Amanda is committed to mentoring the next generation of interior designers. Teaching has always been a passion, from software training for design teams to fostering a collaborative approach that bridges architecture and interiors. She believes in breaking down silos to create holistic, integrated projects that lead to better outcomes for both clients and users. With a keen focus on mentorship, she plans to reinvigorate the firm’s mentorship program in the new year, ensuring that knowledge-sharing and growth remain at the forefront.
Currently, Amanda is working on several impactful projects, including multiple initiatives that merge clinical and workplace spaces with the University of Virginia, as well as Tidal Health, where she’s weaving together branding, natural light, and spatial planning to create a integrated and thoughtfully connected spaces. She’s particularly excited about her interior design work on the Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Campus, where the new patient tower and emergency department is taking shape and set to open soon.
Looking ahead, Amanda is eager to see the firm continue to grow and expand its reach, helping more healthcare institutions while breaking through traditional expectations of what they can achieve.
