2025 Ones To Watch - Rising Stars: Owen Marhefka, Pickard Chilton

“With an extraordinarily accomplished 8- year career, Owen brings an impressive record of achievements and contributions both in and out of the profession. He is an engaged and thoughtful presence within our studio, our profession, and our community. His humble demeanor belies the integrity and discipline that he brings to his work, team, and clients. As one of the youngest members of our studio ever to achieve licensure, Owen has consistently demonstrated a yearning for knowledge and growth.” - Jon Pickard, Founding Principal at Pickard Chilton.

What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? Over the last three years, I have worked as a project manager and designer on a new corporate headquarters for Mutual of Omaha in Omaha. Once complete, the office tower will be the tallest building in Nebraska. The project is centrally located in downtown and will anchor an ongoing revitalization of the urban core. It has been moving to watch the excitement that the project has generated throughout the community. Working on this project with a large team of incredibly talented collaborators has been a highlight of my career.

If you could give advice to someone just starting out in your field, what would it be? Approach every situation with humility and prioritize collaboration over individual success. Working in the AEC industry presents continual challenges and opportunities to learn, and the experience of your collaborators is one of the greatest resources for your professional growth. Establishing strong connections with mentors can provide pathways to new opportunities. I am proud to have contributed to the formation of a successful firm- wide mentorship program at Pickard Chilton, which facilitates interactions between generations and strengthens the culture of our studio.