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Our Team

Selvam Rajavelu, AIA, NCARB

President & CEO

Selvam joined the firm in 1990 and is now the President and Principal at NJRA Architects. Selvam received a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Utah in 1991. He is a member of the National Golden Key Honor Society for his outstanding performance. He received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Anna University, Chennai, India in 1989. He graduated at the top of his class and received the Gold Medal Award from the University. He is a member of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) and A4LE (Association for Learning Environments). He is certified by NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) and also a member of UFOMA (Utah Facilities Operation and Maintenance Association). He attends conferences regularly to know the current trends in healthcare and educational fields.

Selvam’s main focus is in designing Green and eco-friendly buildings. He attends LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) workshops regularly to update his knowledge. He has a strong passion for design and perfection. He concentrates on the accuracy of information provided in the construction documents. A well coordinated document helps the contractor to be on schedule and avoids costly change orders.

Selvam is very active in the community. He is actively involved in the fund raising, design, and construction of the India Cultural Center in South Jordan, Utah. He also served as treasurer for the India Forum of Utah for five years.

Jackie Vatsend

Office Administrator

Jackie joined NJRA Architects in 2022. She oversees all administrative aspects of the business and assists wherever needed. Before joining NJRA, Jackie worked for several years in residential interior design. She is experienced in working in a fast-paced environment that can utilize her organizational, technical, and interpersonal skills. Jackie is committed to superior customer service while interacting with all individuals. She strives to keep up to date with administrative solutions with a design-inspired mindset.

Outside of the office, Jackie leads an active life with 2 teenagers, 2 dogs, and 2 cats keeping her very busy. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

Shailesh Munot, AIA

Associate & Senior Project Architect

Shailesh holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Utah. During his education at the University of Utah, Shailesh was handpicked to receive a teaching assistant scholarship for demonstrating excellence in structures. Shailesh received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Pune, India in 1998. He then worked in India for a year as an architect before moving to the United States to pursue his graduate studies

For the past twenty three years, Shailesh has worked on complex healthcare projects including new hospitals, hospital expansions, remodel and tenant improvement projects that have led him to excel in healthcare planning, project management, and construction administration roles. Shailesh offers a creative and comprehensive contribution to the entire design process. He has worked on several complex and award-winning projects in Utah including the Intermountain Medical Center, Riverton Hospital, Utah Valley Hospital, and Dixie Regional Medical Center.

Shailesh continues to expand his medical expertise by attending conferences, workshops, and gaining on-the-job experience working with clients on new projects. Shailesh is technically savvy and is very passionate about the accuracy and detailing of the drawings. He believes that a detailed set of drawings is the foundation for a project’s success.

When not at work, Shailesh enjoys spending time with his wife Rupali and playing with their two sons, Ved and Vivan. Shailesh loves the outdoors and enjoys gardening during the summer months.

Sourabh Sinha, LEED AP

Associate & Senior Project Manager

Sourabh is a LEED Accredited Professional and received a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Utah in 2005. He also received a Bachelor of Architecture degree with honors from the University of Rajasthan, India in 2001. He has worked as a licensed architect in India before coming over to USA to pursue his higher studies. Since graduating in 2005, he has been working on various projects specializing in Healthcare and Educational type facilities.

Sourabh’s passion for architecture directly translates into projects he is involved with at NJRA. He appreciates the way architectural environments affect human lives and can touch their emotions. His architectural experience ranges from design, project coordination, project management and construction administration. His interest in green and environment friendly design influences his design process and produces buildings that are energy efficient and have low environmental impact. He believes good design should be accompanied with detailed, thorough and clear construction documents.

Sourabh is also active in the community, currently serving as the cultural secretary for the Bengali Association of Utah. He is a trained singer and a keyboard player and has organized and performed at various social events in the Salt Lake Valley. He likes to play cricket and badminton. When not at work Sourabh enjoys spending time with his family, hiking in the mountains, and traveling.

Robert Howell, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA, MRAIC

Associate + Project Architect

Fascinated by how architecture catalyzes human interaction and relationships, Robert has always been intrigued with the intricacies of the built environment. His primary focus is healthcare architecture, with a powerful affinity for the unique design challenges and immediate social benefits such projects afford the community.

Robert’s passion for travel led him to graduate with a master’s degree in architecture from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He is a licensed architect registered with AIA and NCARB and holds LEED credentials. Besides design, Robert enjoys skiing, adventure motorcycling, mountain biking, mechanics, and exploring the diverse landscapes of his native Utah and the Intermountain West.

Katianne Jones

Project Manager

Katianne completed her Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees at the University of Utah and participated in the Design Build Bluff program. She is expanding from residential design into the commercial sector and building experience in pursuit of licensure.

Katianne’s passion for the built environment is driven by her fascination with its impact on the individual and the natural environment; the idea of a building going beyond avoiding negative impact to actually contributing positively to its surroundings. She sets her mind and goals on expanding what architecture can be. To this end her studies have included regenerative design and efficient or passive controls.

Outside of architectural pursuits, Katianne enjoys spending time with her husband and son, donning a cowgirl hat and herding cows in Arizona, hiking the Intermountain West and exploring the pacific coastline.

Melissa Allen, Associate IIDA

Interior Designer

Melissa wants you to love your space, from lobbies to laboratories and every commercial space in between. Interior design can elevate a space to something special. Melissa believes this is important and always strives to envision spaces for her clients that they will enjoy for years to come.

At Utah State University, Melissa earned a bachelor’s degree in interior design and is an associate member of the Commercial Interior Design Association (IIDA). Melissa has 13 years of healthcare design experience. Her background has given her a unique standpoint on the importance of functional interior materials. She is committed to selecting finishes that are appropriate for their intended use, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.

Melissa enjoys working as part of the team on the array of design projects at NJRA Architects.

Melissa lives in North Salt Lake with her husband and two sons. She enjoys baking, biking, and chasing after her young sons.

Ashley Sudbury

Project Manager

Ashley earned her Architectural Design Technology Certificate and a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies from Utah Valley University. Her lifelong passion for design and attention to detail continue to drive her creativity and precision in every project she undertakes.

As a project manager, Ashley enjoys collaborating with clients and consultants to create spaces that are both inviting and highly functional. She excels at finding thoughtful, creative solutions to design challenges, ensuring that the purpose and function of each building remain at the heart of the design and construction process. She is especially inspired by seeing how people interact with the spaces she helps create and values conversations with end-users to understand better how subtle design adjustments can enhance their experience, both inside and outside the space.

Ashley looks forward to becoming a licensed architect in the future and continues to grow her expertise in healthcare, educational, and commercial design. Outside of work, she loves spending time in the mountains with her husband and daughters, gathering with friends and family, and exploring new creative hobbies.

Katya Fullmer

Architectural Technician

Katya completed her bachelor’s degree of Science in Architecture at the University of Utah and she is planning on completing her Master’s degree in the future. Throughout her life, Katya’s passion for design and attention to detail has driven her creativity and precision in everything she endeavors.

Katya is excited about the opportunity to become a licensed architect. As an Architectural Technician, Katya enjoys learning and expanding her drafting skills in educational, healthcare, and commercial design.

When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and husband, going to different events and festivals, and learning new skills. She is part of a dance group that spreads Latino culture in different parts of the country. Her Peruvian roots are kept alive through dance and her traditions.

Lexi Trapier

Architectural Technician

Lexi is currently enrolled in the Architectural program at Utah Valley University. She has a growing passion for design, problem-solving, and attention to detail. These are things she developed and learned from her father while helping him with projects while growing up. Lexi hopes to work side by side in the construction industry with her father one day. She aspires to work on religious and historic preservation projects.

Lexi enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing volleyball, cheering for local sports teams, watching movies, and being outdoors whenever she can.

Sean Donner

Architectural Designer

Sean completed his Bachelor of Architecture degree at Utah Valley University and won second place in the 2025 Utah Real Estate Challenge. He enjoys designing in various styles, with a focus on local vernacular, to give our communities a sense of place.

Sean learned photography at an early age and focused his lens on architecture, particularly when buildings interact with their natural surroundings. He is excited to design a built environment that enhances our daily interactions with nature.

Sean spends his free time at museums, parks, and road tripping with his wife and children. He is a British car enthusiast who also enjoys movies, music, and art.

Chinmay Rothe

Architectural Designer

Chinmay holds a Master of Science in High-Performance Building from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, and a Bachelor of Architecture from Savitribai Phule Pune University, India. Chinmay has worked on projects across various sectors in India. His growing interest in the relationship between architecture and its environment led him to further his studies and pursue an M.S. in HPB, where he was also selected as a research assistant, focusing on building performance simulations, and served as a teaching assistant, supporting students and faculty in various design and technical courses.

Chinmay is deeply fascinated by how the built environment affects its users and the surrounding ecosystem. He believes in a comprehensive approach to architectural practice—one that spans from material selection to human interactions within spaces. His work emphasizes integrating sustainable strategies into design thinking, and he remains committed to advancing these practices through ongoing research and attending industry events. Chinmay is a licensed architect in India and is eager to pursue licensure in the USA.

Outside his professional and academic pursuits, Chinmay finds inspiration in art, culture, and travel. He enjoys exploring music, films, and folk artifacts worldwide and captures his experiences through travel photography. Additionally, Chinmay enjoys composing and playing percussion instruments, channeling his creativity across multiple forms of expression.

Saumil Gandhi

Architectural Designer

With a Master of Science in Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Mumbai, Saumil brings a globally informed, multidisciplinary perspective to the team. Licensed in India and on the path to U.S. licensure, he has contributed to educational, healthcare, and multifamily residential projects through internships in both countries. During his graduate studies, Saumil worked at the prestigious Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP) at IIT for a year, which further deepened their appreciation for design excellence.

A firm believer in the impact of community-centered design, Saumil is driven by architecture’s potential to improve everyday life. With a LEED Green Associate certification and a focus on health and wellness, Saumil aims to create spaces that are as socially responsible as they are functional. He’s always up for taking on challenging design projects and finding creative solutions, some of which work beautifully, and others that become amusing stories.

Saumil enjoys playing soccer and cricket, where teamwork, quick thinking, and the occasional dramatic dive are all part of the game. He also loves traveling and trekking, especially when the route includes scenic views and just enough uphill climbs to make him question his life choices (but never his love for the outdoors).

Tyler Stanger

Architectural Designer

Tyler is a lifelong learner with a passion for language, literacy, and learning, who enjoys creating effective learning environments. He completed his undergraduate education at Utah State University, focusing on language and literacy while earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. While attending school, he worked for the local school district as a paraprofessional literacy aid. He also completed coursework in the Secondary Teacher Education Program, which, somehow, led him to discover his passion for architecture.

Tyler then earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he focused his architectural studies on learning environments, supplemented by coursework in educational psychology from the UNLV College of Education. During his time in architecture school, he worked part-time as an archival assistant in the University Libraries' Special Collections, processing architectural materials for conservation. He is now working towards completing his architectural registration.

Tyler’s wife, Tosha, offered enthusiastic and unwavering support throughout the long process of schooling and entering the architecture profession- he would not be where he is without her resilience and dedication. He and Tosha have four children, and their family hobbies include reading, skateboarding, photography, painting, hiking, anime, Pokémon, soccer, running, fashion design, and cooking.