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

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.

Prior to joining WKA, Fabi worked at GREC Architects where she focused on a large mixed-use development comprised of two 17-story towers located in Chicago’s Near West Side neighborhood. The project is set to achieve LEED Silver Certification. Her experience also includes workplace design and single-family residences in the Indiana Dunes area and along the cost of Lima, Peru.

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 Afterschool 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.

Fabi is a registered Architect in Illinois, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and is currently on the Young Professional Board of Intuit: The Center for Intuit and Outsider Art.

Fabi enjoys biking and estate sale shopping. She lives in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood with her husband and their dog.