Leader Q&A: Laura Miller

LAURA MILLER has spent her career in architecture with LS3P – and its predecessor company in Wilmington – working on some of the most distinctive buildings in the area.

Miller, who earned her architecture degree from Kent State University, moved to Wilmington after graduation to work for Boney Architects, which is now LS3P.

“I’m starting my twenty-fifth year at LS3P in 2025,” says Miller, who now is office leader for the firm’s Wilmington location. “I am very fortunate to be at a firm that has supported my professional growth from intern to project architect, project manager, studio leader, operations and finance manager, and now office leader.”

What is involved in your role at LS3P?

“As the office leader, my responsibilities include ensuring that we are delivering high-quality design to our clients, developing and maintaining relationships within our community, sustaining revenue and profitability, collaborating with my counterparts in our other offices, and ultimately creating an office culture that reflects LS3P’s mission, vision, and values. I am also a project manager and am actively involved in a number of projects at any given time.”

Can you tell us about your background and career?

“As a young child, I would spend hours in my father’s workshop with him, nailing together pieces of wood left over from his projects to create small projects of my own. Then in middle school, my parents were planning to build a house, and I developed a fascination with floor plans and imaging myself in all of the different rooms.

That early love of building things and the ability to picture buildings in my mind led me to architecture. I received my Bachelor of Architecture degree from Kent State University and moved to Wilmington after graduation to work for Boney Architects, which is now LS3P.

I’m starting my twenty-fifth year at LS3P in 2025. I am very fortunate to be at a firm that has supported by professional growth from intern to project architect, project manager, studio leader, operations and finance manager, and now office leader.”

What local projects have you worked on as an architect?

“My very first projects were renovations and additions to North Brunswick High School, South Brunswick High School, and West Brunswick High School. Since then, I have been involved in projects spanning multiple market sectors including UNCW Discovery Hall, New Hanover County Government Center, Project Grace, Carolina Bay, Wilmington Convention Center, CFCC Union Station, Live Oak Bank Building 1, GLOW Academy, GFO Office, IKA Works, Wilmington Police Headquarters, multiple commercial projects at Autumn Hall and Riverlights, and dozens of office and retail upfits.”

What’s a specific project you’ve worked on here or elsewhere that you’re particularly proud of and why?

“That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child! It’s impossible to pick one that stands out more than the others. What I’m most proud of, more than a specific project, are the relationships and friendships I’ve developed with clients and my colleagues in the AEC (architecture/engineering/construction) community. Most projects span multiple years for the completion of design and construction, so I have the opportunity to really get to know the people involved in each project and form lasting relationships.”

What non-work things have you been involved with since moving here?

“I currently serve on the board of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. In the past, I served on the Wilmington Planning Commission and WDI Board of Directors and was president of AIA Wilmington and AIA North Carolina.

I try to limit my non-work commitments to serving on one board or committee at a time so that I can focus my efforts productively and also maintain time to spend with my family. As a mom of two active teenagers, I am acutely aware of how precious time is and am purposeful in how I spend that time.”

How would you describe your leadership style?

“My leadership style is relational. I believe that mutual trust and respect within a team leads to people enjoying what they do and ultimately creating the best result. There will be obstacles in every project, but having a strong team relationship based on respect helps the team work together toward the common goal instead of trying to place blame.”

What things have you picked up in your career that has helped shape your leadership style?

“The concept of painting the target and enabling the team to determine the best approach to hit it has significantly influenced my perspectives on leadership and empowerment.

I know how I would approach a specific obstacle or produce a particular deliverable, but encouraging others to develop their own methods and processes to reach a shared goal allows each person to have ownership in the project’s success and a better and more innovative solution is often achieved.”

To view more of photographer Malcom Little’s work, go to malcolmlittlephotography.com.

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