Meet Heather Yaple, a healthcare planner and project manager at Wold whose work in designing healthcare spaces advances Wold’s focus on creating supportive environments for patient care. Heather’s lifelong exposure to collaboration in designing spaces has equipped her with skills that help her lead and mentor team members, ensure client satisfaction and creatively solve problems.
A native New Yorker, she earned her bachelor’s degree in architectural science at Alfred State College, followed by a master’s in business administration from the State University of New York at Albany. After moving to Nashville in 2015 and gaining experience in the local architecture industry, Heather became a project manager and client relations manager at Wold in 2022.
All throughout my childhood, my parents renovated our family home and always made it a family activity. Later, they bought a camp, and we started renovating that as a family too. Up until my senior year of high school, I had wanted to be a veterinarian. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to go to school for architecture, but I’m so glad I did!
I am a stronger designer in the areas of functionality and problem-solving, so I like to build the right team around a project and collaborate with them throughout the entire design process to ensure there is a good balance between that and aesthetics.
I always joke that I would be a baker or an underwater welder if I were to ever quit my career. Baking has always been a favorite hobby. Honestly, I can’t picture myself doing anything else “normal,” so the alternative would be some out-of-the-box career.
I try to place myself in the experience of the patient from the moment they enter the doors and their journey through a facility. Then, I create an environment that will help them, whether it’s a calm aesthetic to ease high emotions or straightforward navigation and wayfinding so they can get to their destination without adding to their stress.
I recycle anything I print out and cut it into smaller sketch papers. I always keep a big stack at my desk, and they come in handy to graphically solve a problem, make a to-do list or just doodle.
Find a mentor who will help champion your growth. Always approach things with a curious mind. Even if you think you know the answer, a conversation can often broaden your understanding.
I was born and raised in upstate New York, where I completed my undergrad and graduate work. One day, I decided to move, so I closed my eyes and pointed to a map, landed on Tennessee, and moved to Nashville two months later.
In my spare time, I am usually in the garden, in the kitchen or remodeling my house. I also love to get outdoors and hike with my two dogs when I’m able.
I am studying to be an apiarist – also known as a beekeeper! I have teamed up with a local mentor to apprentice and should get my first swarm of bees in the spring!
To learn more about Heather Yaple, her experience and her insights, visit here. Our Focal Point series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the talented team members that bring our work to life.
