ERICA RUGGIERO | Historic Preservation Lead, The Forum

Erica Ruggiero is a Principal and lead Historic Preservation Specialist at the women-owned architecture firm of McGuire Igleski & Associates (MIA). Erica attended Florida State University (FSU) and received her Bachelor and Master of Science in Interior Design with a graduate certificate in urban design. During her graduate degree, Erica entered the field of historic preservation by working with the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. Upon graduating from FSU in 2012, Erica attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she graduated with a Master of Science in Historic Preservation in 2014. 

Outside of her work with MIA, Erica is President of the Board for Chicago for Chicagoans, chair of the Service Subcommittee for Skyline Council of Landmarks Illinois, member of the Packingtown Museum Committee, and Treasurer of the Board for Pullman Tech Workshop. As part of her preservation work, Erica provides pro bono preservation consulting services and advocates for under-served and under-represented communities across Illinois to make the field of preservation more accessible and equitable for all. For this work, she was recognized as one of Landmarks Illinois influencers for their 50th Anniversary. 

Erica gardens as part of a community vegetable garden, maintains an indoor garden of succulents, tropical houseplants, and orchids, and bakes, not only for family and friends, but also as part of Bakers Against Racism to raise donations for social justice causes worldwide.