Mecayla Cobb, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NOMA

With a more than 20-year career dedicated to designing transformative environments for higher education, Mecayla is passionate about creating spaces that empower students, faculty, staff and institutions. Her leadership is defined by her commitment to design excellence, client collaboration and a deep belief in education’s power to change lives.

At HDR, Mecayla leads the growth of our higher education and science portfolio across Colorado and Wyoming. She leverages her national experience and strategic insight to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that meet the evolving needs of academic institutions. Her ability to build strong client relationships and her holistic approach to design make her a trusted advisor and a driving force in advancing our mission in the region.

Mecayla’s professional journey has taken her all across the U.S., leading the design of impactful projects like the University of Northern Colorado’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, UCCS’s Cybersecurity and Space Ecosystem Renovation and the Gordon Dining and Event Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her portfolio reflects a deep understanding of campus culture and a talent for creating enduring, student-centered spaces.

A recognized leader in the industry, Mecayla is active in the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) and serves as an Advisory Board Member for her alma mater, the University of Kansas. She supports equity in architecture through her involvement with the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and the American Institute of Architects' Historically Black Colleges and Universities (AIA's HBCU) interview programs. She also volunteers as a one-on-one mentor through the CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning mentorship program. Her community engagement includes volunteering with Food for Thought, Dress for Success Denver and the Cleworth Architectural Legacy project, where she inspires the next generation to value the built environment.