Fabiola Yep, AIA

Fabiola Yep is a civic and professional leader who enriches communities through mentoring, volunteer, and equity eff orts.

Originally from Lima, Peru, Fabiola joined Wheeler Kearns Architects (WKA) in 2019. She received her Bachelor and Master of Architecture degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana where she won
the top Honor award on two school-wide design competitions. She was also honored with the Best and Brightest award, which included a full scholarship and teaching assistant position for Ball State’s MArch program.

With WKA, Fabi has worked on several projects for the Elgin Math + Science Academy, including a Masterplan, renovation of their existing Art Barn, and the renovation of their Middle School building. Fabi has also worked on the Ryan Learning Center Renovation for the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Great Lakes Academy Expansion, which renovated a former Catholic Church and connected it to the school’s existing 1911 three-story academic building with a new one-story contemporary glass link.

Fabiola is personally and professionally committed to helping expose people to their full potential. She is an active member of mentoring organizations, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Arquitinas, and the ACE
after school program. Additionally, Fabiola spearheaded the launch of the firm’s in-house mentorship program, “WKA-Lift,” an initiative to bolster members of communities historically underrepresented in architecture. Fabiola Yep’s leadership efforts have been recognized with the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Community Design Impact Award (2023) and, more recently, with the 2024 Graduate Of The Last Decade (GOLD) Award from Ball State University.