Team

John C. Williams, AIA, NCARB

Laura Williams

After graduating with a BA in Art History from Tulane University, Laura went on to study at the Tulane School of Architecture for three years. Since then, she has worked in architecture as well as completing a Masters in Education at UNO.

Laura is a founding partner of Williams Architects and has spent the past 40 years cultivating a thought-leading and collaborative firm that defines expertise and innovation in architecture, planning, and interior design. Laura’s skill set extends to the administrative side of the business as well as managing transformative and dynamic residential projects.

Jennifer Morales

Jennifer Morales is a New Orleans native with 25 years of experience in full-cycle accounting, payroll, benefits administration, budgeting, human resources, and business planning. As the financial operations lead at Williams, she oversees financial reporting and manages the firm’s ledgers with accuracy and diligence, helping support the organization’s operational and strategic goals.

Jennifer brings a detail-oriented, solutions-focused approach to her work and is passionate about contributing to the continued growth of the firm. Looking ahead, she aspires to expand her role into project management, combining her financial expertise with broader leadership responsibilities.

Outside the office, Jennifer enjoys spending time with family and friends and embracing all that New Orleans has to offer.

Kiley Lewis

A native New Orleanian, Kiley began her architectural career over 24 years ago, but her love of architecture sparked as a young child taking notice of the design and functionality of buildings and spaces in the eclectic city she grew up in. Kiley’s first experience working in the field of architecture begin with residential work as a college intern, learning about both the design and business facets early on. She matriculated to the top of her class completing a thesis to design a long-term sustainable senior living community in New Orleans East. 

With a degree in architecture, Kiley has gone on to work for architectural firms in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and most recently back home in New Orleans gaining experience in the areas of retail, education, religious, civic, and residential projects, assuming several project leadership roles in design and construction. Kiley’s passion is to help meet the need and desire of clients by facilitating a culture of collaboration to bring their vision to fruition such as the clients of community-based organizations she has personally worked with who advocate to revitalize blighted areas and stimulate economic development within their community. She is also a candidate to receive her professional architectural license.

Certifications

-NCARB, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

Scott Heath

Scott obtained his undergraduate degree in Visual Arts at the University of California, San Diego, prior to studying architecture and preservation studies at Tulane University. His undergraduate work explored questions of identity and representation through interactive digital media, video, and photography. After working for several years as a graphic designer creating data-driven websites and instructional multimedia, Scott decided to change the focus of his career to architecture and historic preservation. As a designer and project coordinator, Scott has contributed to a broad range of architectural projects for institutional, commercial, and residential uses, with an emphasis in renovation and historic rehabilitation. He enjoys utilizing his training in preservation studies for building renovations and historic tax credits applications in historic districts in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana.

Outside of design, he enjoys photography as a way of documenting the rich cultural life and architectural heritage of New Orleans.

Evan Wagner

Evan grew up in New Jersey and studied in New Orleans, where he then began his career in architecture. Following a return to his home state and subsequent return to New Orleans, Evan is now a registered architect with 8 years of experience working on projects at a variety of scales in Louisiana and New Jersey. Evan is capable in all phases of design, with emphasis on utilizing 3D modeling to create early-phase visualizations through to construction drawing production and coordination.

Evan is currently licensed in NJ, while meeting license requirements of most other states.

Education:

• Masters of Architecture, Tulane University, 2017

Certifications & Organizations

• Registered Architect: Louisiana and New Jersey

Morgan Conner

Born and raised in Bourg & Montegut, Louisiana, Morgan recently returned home to join Williams Architects and begin her career in architecture. Morgan completed a Master’s of Architecture program and participated in an internship with Karoline Becker Architektur (Heidelberg, Germany) before offering her skillset and drive to the Williams Architects team.

Growing up fascinated by both the built environment and the natural landscapes that surround it, Morgan developed an early appreciation for the relationship between architecture, materiality, and place. What began as curiosity evolved into a deep passion for sustainable design, with a particular interest in how materials are selected, incorporated, and fabricated to serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. This foundation continues to shape her thoughtful approach to design, inspiring work that is environmentally conscious, purposeful, and rooted in innovation.

Kaylan Mitchell

A native of Franklin, Louisiana, Kaylan is passionate about people, placemaking, and material history within design. Kaylan holds a Master of Architecture and a Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation from Tulane University. There, she received both the graduate leadership award and the equity, diversity, and inclusion award for her dedication to her roles in student leadership and creating community within the school.

Growing up on the rural Gulf Coast, Kaylan is inspired by meaningful gestures and enjoys trying to find ways to implement that in design. She is committed to understanding how to continue the stories of historical buildings through sustainable renovation and restoration.

EDUCATION

• Master of Architecture, Preservation Studies, Tulane University 2023
• Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, LSU 2019

Mackenzie Laxton

Born and raised in St. Louis, Mackenzie received her Master’s in Architecture from the University of Kansas with certifications in both Historic Preservation and Design-Build. During her time at the University of Kansas, she participated in Studio 804, a comprehensive design-build course where she was challenged with the design and construction of tiny homes for the local community shelter; this fueled her love for community-based projects and serving those in need. Her passion for historic architecture and adaptive reuse brought her to New Orleans and eventually to work with the Williams Architects team.

Mackenzie brings together her hands-on construction and carpentry knowledge with strong technical modeling proficiency to support thoughtful, well-executed design solutions at Williams Architects. She is passionate about applying both practical field experience and technical expertise in unison to contribute to innovative and buildable projects. Driven by a commitment to growth, Mackenzie is always eager to learn more advanced and efficient ways to work, continually refining her skills and expanding her knowledge. She takes pride in striving to exceed client expectations and contributing to projects with diligence, creativity, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

EDUCATION CERTIFICATIONS

-Master of Architecture, University of Kansas, 2021 Design Build

-Associate Architect, AIA