MAKERS is proud to announce the promotion of four employees: Dylan Yamashita, Laura Basile, Andres De Wet, and Queenie Gipaya.
Dylan Yamashita, AICP • Senior Associate, Federal Facilities Planning Team
Dylan is a 10-year employee of MAKERS and an invaluable member of the firm’s federal facilities planning studio. He enjoys taking ownership of large and complex planning and urban design projects for clients including the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and local port districts. Dylan is a patient project manager and skilled designer who has been vital in developing junior staff.
Outside of the office Dylan enjoys Huskey football, visits with family in Hawaii, and preparing to be a new parent.
Laura Basile • Associate 1, Facilities Planning Team
Since joining MAKERS in 2023, Laura has consistently demonstrated creative strategic thinking and a strong commitment to delivering high-quality work. Laura eagerly embraces complex projects that demand diligence and allow her to utilize her skills in GIS, graphic design, and data and site visualization. She enjoys working with clients to address environmental impacts, drawing from her environmental justice background and MS in Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design from Politecnico di Milano, Italy.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys gardening, playing music, and supporting community placemaking efforts.
Andres De Wet, AICP • Associate 1, Federal Facilities Planning Team
Andres, raised in South Africa, joined MAKERS in 2023 after completing a Masters of Community Planning at the University of Cincinnati and previously working at ULI Northwest and the University of Washington Tacoma. He has ingrained himself as a respected team member with an unyielding curiosity and enthusiasm for federal planning work. Andres contributes to many project phases including stakeholder involvement, graphic design, and technical writing. He is passionate about creating spaces that work with people and the environment instead of against it.
Outside of working hours, Andres enjoys cooking, spoiling his dog, Ms. Meghan Barkle, and partaking in fine wines.
Queenie Gipaya, LEED Green Associate • Associate 1, Urban Design & Community Planning Planning Team
Queenie joined MAKERS at the beginning of 2023 and has become a vital team member, engaging community members, creating friendly graphics, and building leadership in design activism such as through the Seattle Design Festival. Her ability to handle multiple deadlines at once is unmatched, and she does so while staying organized and cool-headed. With a knack for graphics and design, she creates appealing and exceptional work on behalf of MAKERS, driven by a passion for co-creating places that are meaningful to a community.
When not working Queenie enjoys baking, discovering the latest foodie spots, crafting, and spending time with family.
