Award-winning designer and founder of Studio BV, Betsy Vohs brings her human-centered design philosophy, commitment to social impact, and decades of alumni leadership to guide the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.
This fall, Betsy Vohs takes on a new role that feels both natural and well-earned: Chair of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) Board. For the award-winning designer and founder of Studio BV, the position is not only an honor, but also an opportunity to bring her passion for connection, community, and design thinking to the alumni network of one of the nation’s leading public universities.
“I’ve been serving on boards for more than a decade, so balancing leadership and my business feels natural,” Vohs says. “But this year, my priority is the Alumni Association. It’s important to me to be present in that work and to make space for it.”
A Designer Who Builds Community
Vohs, who earned her Master of Architecture from the University of Minnesota in 2004, has long been one of the College of Design’s most active alumni leaders. Since joining the UMAA Board in 2019, she has served on multiple committees, while also giving back to students as a mentor, competition judge, and classroom speaker. Her service has been recognized with the University’s Alumni Service Award, as well as deep gratitude from the students she has helped prepare for careers in design.
Her leadership has extended beyond volunteer hours. During her time as president of the College of Design Alumni Society, she helped launch the College to Career Sponsorship Program, personally securing more than $20,000 to support student professional development. “She is driven, thoughtful, and passionate about helping students succeed,” says a colleague from the College of Design. “Betsy has a gift for turning vision into action.”
Leadership by Design
Outside the University, Vohs is known for her innovative design practice. She founded Studio BV in 2015 to deliver transformational architecture shaped by place, context, and human experience. Her 16-person studio has completed projects for clients across the country, earning national and international recognition, including VMSD’s 2023 Retail Renovation of the Year and multiple Interior Design Magazine Best of Year Awards.
Yet even with her success in business, Vohs is most energized by the potential of design to create social change. Through her firm’s pro bono division, she and her team have completed more than 50 community projects, earning the Twin Cities Business Award for Community Impact – the first architecture firm ever recognized with that honor. “It’s about making design accessible for the people and organizations who need it most,” she says.
Preparing the Next Generation
As she steps into the role of UMAA Board Chair, Vohs is focused on strengthening connections between alumni, students, and the University. She believes the design community – and the alumni network at large – have a responsibility to prepare students for a rapidly changing professional landscape. “We need graduates who are adaptable, unafraid of failure, and ready to run toward change,” she says. “That’s how they’ll thrive in their careers, and that’s how the University continues to lead.”
Looking Ahead
For Vohs, chairing the UMAA Board is a continuation of what she has always done: building bridges between people, ideas, and opportunities. Whether through architecture, mentorship, or alumni leadership, her focus remains the same – designing pathways for others to succeed.
“I’m honored to serve in this role,” she reflects. “The University of Minnesota shaped me as a designer and a leader. Now, I want to help ensure that future alumni feel just as connected, supported, and proud to be a part of this community.”
Learn more about becoming involved with the College of Design alumni community.
