OUR TEAM

Tara is Cicada’s visionary leader and creative strategist who blends business acumen with an instinct for design to inspire teams, shape meaningful spaces, and drive lasting growth. As Chief Executive & Creative Officer, she oversees both the strategic direction and the creative vision of the company, ensuring that every project aligns with the brand’s purpose and intention. With a professional foundation in commercial real estate development, hospitality management, and human ecology, Tara brings a multidimensional perspective to leadership. After years of hands-on creative direction, she now focuses on guiding the broader vision, leading brand evolution, championing experience-driven opportunities, and fostering innovation through calculated risk-taking.

With a degree in architecture from the University of Kansas and more than 20 years of industry experience, Kyle is the driving force behind Cicada’s day-to-day operations. As Chief Operating Officer & Director of Construction, he oversees project logistics, guides the team on the ground, and keeps everything moving forward. Kyle’s journey from framing houses to designing and building custom homes has given him a unique ability to connect vision to execution, anticipating challenges and solving problems. As the forward-facing partner, he prioritizes clear communication and thoughtful planning, ensuring that every client feels supported, informed, and confident throughout the process. His steady leadership and hands-on experience make him a trusted advocate for both the Cicada team and the clients we serve.

With a foundation in commercial interiors and a portfolio that spans residential and hospitality work, Elle leads Cicada’s design studio with intention and clarity. She’s a NCIDQ-certified, LEED-accredited designer with a BFA in Environmental Interior Design from the University of Kansas. Elle acts as the connective tissue between clients, construction, and the studio team—bringing vision to life through concept design, storytelling, and detail. Inspired by her travels across 20+ countries, Elle brings a grounded, global perspective to every space.

Leslie brings precision and clarity to every project she touches. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State and a background in MEP design, cost estimating, and commercial construction management, she bridges the gap between design and execution — keeping timelines, budgets, and material coordination on track.

With a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Kansas, Brennen brings a design-minded perspective to the field, ensuring each project moves smoothly from start to finish. He’s especially drawn to the framing phase, where plans become tangible and thoughtful design begins to reveal itself in full scale. As a superintendent, he synthesizes his architectural training with real-time decision-making on site, helping each detail come together with precision. Inspired by everything from fashion and raw denim to the work of Judd, Kahn, and Pawson, Brennen approaches every build with a creative eye and a deep appreciation for form, function, and craft.

With a background in photography from a trade school in Ålesund, Norway, Sam brings an artful eye and storytelling sensibility to Cicada’s creative team. As Content Creator, he captures the heartbeat of each project—from concept to completion—translating architectural detail and craftsmanship into compelling visual narratives. Inspired by people and the often-overlooked beauty in small moments, Sam approaches every shoot as an opportunity to reveal both the artistry and the humanity within design. His work helps bridge the gap between construction and storytelling, giving shape to the emotion, texture, and intention behind every space Cicada brings to life.

Abby earned her BFA in Interior Architecture from the University of Kansas, where she developed a love for furniture and lighting design. A formative internship in Barcelona deepened her appreciation for how intentional design can transform a space. At Cicada, she supports both the architecture and interiors teams, contributing to FF&E selections, space planning, and custom furniture and lighting collaborations. Abby draws inspiration from designers and artists who celebrate craftsmanship and individuality, always seeking ideas that blend beauty and purpose.

With a foundation in civil and structural engineering from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, Devin brings a highly analytical lens to Cicada’s design process — balanced by a genuine passion for creativity and craft. As a Technical Designer, he leads the production of construction drawings, collaborates closely with the interiors team to translate concepts into buildable plans, and ensures each design is thoughtfully resolved and constructible. Drawn to sustainable architecture and informed by time spent living in the Pacific Northwest, Devin is deeply engaged in the problem-solving process — seeing projects through from early ideas on paper to fully realized spaces in the field.