Fionna Packer grew up in Severna Park, Maryland, just outside of Annapolis. After graduating high school, she attended the Stuckeman School at Penn State and graduated with her Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Architectural History in 2021. “I loved art but didn’t want to do a fine arts career and I like math so I feel lucky that I found architecture. Once I got into the program, I felt like it was a better fit for me than I even anticipated.”

When asked if there is something that she’s experienced that would be considered a little unusual, Fionna smiled. “I was a pole vaulter in high school, which is kind of a weird event for track. I was a gymnast growing up, and my coach in 9^th grade told me that there was a lot of crossover, as both sports required upper body strength. I actually did really well and won two state championships, which was a great experience.”

Where does she see herself in five years’ time? “My biggest professional goal is to be licensed”. Fionna has a good friend group that she studies for the architectural registration exams with. “There’s about six of us and we all care about and love architecture.” As a young and aspiring architect, she has a favorite building of course, the Bosco Verticale, which are two amazing green structures in Milan, Italy, designed by Stefano Boeri.

Recently wedded, Fionna said that when thinking about all the events in her life, getting married was the most important. “I’ve known my husband, Jay, since I was 18. We met at Penn State, after he had already left the university to go to the Naval Academy through mutual friends. We met when he came back to visit his friends who I had become close with.”

Fionna and Jay moved to California when he was stationed at Camp Pendleton for his job as a Marine Corps officer. They enjoy surfing and hiking in their free time.