Alumna Kaya Orona named 2026 Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree
CAPLA alumna Kaya Orona, B.Arch ’23, has been named a 2026 Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree for her accomplishments in the construction industry. The awardees were celebrated during an August event in Phoenix.
For Kaya Orona, B.Arch ‘23, the path to a career in construction has been anything but traditional. Now a preconstruction manager at The PENTA Building Group in Phoenix, Orona has been named one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2026 40 Under 40 honorees, recognizing her professional accomplishments and contributions to the Valley.
The Phoenix Business Journal selected 40 honorees from nearly 400 applicants for this year’s class. Orona was recognized alongside Valley executives, entrepreneurs and community leaders representing a range of industries.
“It was one of those moments where I had to take a step back and reread the email announcement,” she said. “More than anything, I felt grateful to my mentors, teammates, family and everyone who has supported me throughout my professional career.”
For Orona, the recognition represents more than a career milestone. It is a reflection of a professional journey that began with an unexpected change in direction.
Kaya Orona, B.Arch ’23, is a preconstruction manager at The PENTA Building Group
At 17, she was a standout athlete in Chandler with aspirations of playing collegiate basketball. An illness left her paralyzed from the waist down and forced her to give up the path she had envisioned for herself.
“At this stage in my career, this recognition is meaningful because it validates a path that has been anything but traditional,” she said.
Since joining PENTA, she has worked as an estimator, superintendent, and preconstruction manager, all within her first two years at the company.
Orona’s transition from architecture to construction allowed her to build on the skills she developed at CAPLA while moving closer to the construction process. At PENTA, she gained experience in both estimating and field operations before moving into her current role, where she brings together design, financial and construction considerations during the earliest stages of a project.
“My architecture education gave me a strong foundation in design, problem-solving, collaboration and understanding how buildings come together,” Orona said. “While I loved design, I found myself increasingly interested in the construction side, including how projects are built, how decisions affect cost and schedule and how all of the different pieces come together in the field.”
Today, as a preconstruction manager, her work involves coordinating with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors and internal teams to develop projects that are constructible while remaining aligned with an owner’s goals and budget.
“I am able to use my architectural background while also being deeply involved in the technical, financial and logistical side of building” she said. “CAPLA taught me how to think critically and approach problems from multiple perspectives.”
Her day-to-day responsibilities can include reviewing drawings and specifications, coordinating subcontractor bids, developing scopes of work, managing requests for information, preparing estimates and working through design and constructability challenges.
“The intensity of the B.Arch program prepared me for the pace and accountability of the construction industry,” she said.
Orona helped establish the Diego Alejandro Zell Memorial Scholarship in memory of a friend she made while as a CAPLA student. In addition to supporting scholarships, she has also mentored students and young professionals.
The most influential part of her time at CAPLA was the community she built, and she treasures her lasting relationships with professors, mentors, classmates and friends.
“One example is the Diego Alejandro Zell Memorial Scholarship, which I helped establish in memory of a dear friend I met in architecture school,” she said. “The scholarship allows me to give back to future students pursuing their own paths while also helping keep Diego’s legacy alive within the community that brought us together.”
Orona’s commitment to giving back has become an important part of her professional life. In addition to her work at PENTA, she has mentored students and young professionals, sharing her experiences with those considering careers in architecture and construction.
“I am incredibly proud of the opportunities I have had to mentor students and young professionals,” she said. “Being able to share my experiences, especially with people who may be trying to find their own path in the industry, has been incredibly meaningful.”
