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Casper, WY 82601
(307) 268-9890
Ashley Trunnell
Associate Principal | Director of PK-12
RA, A4LE
As director of PK-12 at MOA, I don't set out to design buildings—I set out to be a trusted guide for the people behind them. After working as an architect and then spending time as an Owner’s Rep embedded in school districts, I saw how every design decision impacts not just leaders, but the people maintaining buildings and teaching students every day. That experience reshaped how I approach my work. I think beyond construction costs to long-term value, and I see my role as translating many voices into solutions that truly align with a district’s goals. Because schools aren’t just projects—they’re the backdrop of students’ lives. And when a space makes a student feel seen, proud, and excited to be there, it has the power to change their own outcomes.
My Why
I didn’t become an architect just to design buildings—I became one to guide people through decisions that shape lives.
Early in my career, I had the privilege of working under architects who redefined what the role could be. They weren’t just designers; they were trusted advisors. They listened deeply, translated complex needs, and helped clients make confident decisions. That example stayed with me.
After becoming licensed and working across healthcare, K–12, higher ed and commercial projects, I paused to ask myself a harder question: What kind of architect do I want to be? That reflection led me to step away from traditional practice and spend five years as an Owner’s Representative, embedded with school districts as a third-party project manager.
That experience changed everything.
I sat in weekly meetings not just with administrators, but with the people who keep schools running every day—the person mowing the fields, the one replacing door hardware, the technician maintaining HVAC systems, the team managing district-wide technology. I saw firsthand how the hundreds of decisions made during design ripple out to affect all of them. Design isn’t abstract—it’s deeply operational, deeply human.
I also managed full project budgets, and I came to understand that stewardship goes far beyond staying “on budget.” Every dollar saved or spent has a direct impact on what else a district can provide for students. That perspective reshaped how I think about value.
When I returned to architecture, I brought that lens with me. I found a home at MOA ARCHITECTURE, where the culture aligns with what I believe matters most: humility, collaboration, and earning repeat clients through trust.
Today, I see my role as a guide and translator—someone who brings together diverse voices, aligns them with a client’s values, and helps turn them into thoughtful, lasting solutions. Whether it’s an $80 million new school or a $200,000 renovation, the responsibility is the same.
Designing for students and educators is deeply personal to me. Schools are workplaces for teachers doing incredibly demanding work, and they are formative environments for students. When a student walks into a building and feels proud of where they are, that matters. Attendance, engagement, and long-term outcomes are all connected.
We’re not just designing buildings—we’re creating places that can support opportunity, dignity, and a sense of belonging. And that’s work I care deeply about.
Favorite MOA Project
Through years of designing schools, I have learned that even a simple change like new flooring can transform a classroom for those in it everyday. I approach every project with the same level of dedication, small or large.
Some projects, however, stand out in how rewarding they've been to be a part of. One of those has been my work on Adams 14 Summit Heights Junior High. We had the resources to create the exceptional spaces that the students and staff truly deserve. I see many schools each year and it is often difficult to witness the funding inequities in many schools, especially public schools, where students can feel overlooked and asked to learn in inadequate spaces. I am deeply motivated and rewarded when I get to help provide high-quality design that makes every student feel valued and inspired to reach their full potential.
My Enneagram Personality Type:
2: The Helper
My Zodiac Sign:
Aries
Hobbies:
Watching sports (especially if one of my sons is playing), thrifting, growing flowers, winging everything
Pets:
A 100lb American Bulldog / Mastiff Mix named Buddy and a rescue dog named Hildi who believes Buddy is her owner.
My coffee shop order:
Hot tea, topped with a little steamed milk, please.
My hidden talent:
I can say the alphabet backwards
Most adventurous thing you've done?
Raising three boys
A book I recommend to everyone:
West with the Night
Associate Principal | Director of PK-12
Ashley Trunnell
RA, A4LE
As director of PK-12 at MOA, I don't set out to design buildings—I set out to be a trusted guide for the people behind them. After working as an architect and then spending time as an Owner’s Rep embedded in school districts, I saw how every design decision impacts not just leaders, but the people maintaining buildings and teaching students every day. That experience reshaped how I approach my work. I think beyond construction costs to long-term value, and I see my role as translating many voices into solutions that truly align with a district’s goals. Because schools aren’t just projects—they’re the backdrop of students’ lives. And when a space makes a student feel seen, proud, and excited to be there, it has the power to change their own outcomes.