Women in Architecture

After the AIANY Women in Architecture Monthly Committee Meeting, groups of four (4) WIA members will engage in a lively conversation over dinner in one of the eight selected restaurants around the Center for Architecture about issues regarding Professional Practice, Workplace Culture, Leadership & Design, and Professional Development, with topics such as:

1. Professional Practice

• How do we change the culture of excessive overtime?
• How do we help defend the value of our work so that the compensation is appropriate?
• What creates a winning team?
• How do we eliminate the pay gap for women in architecture
• How do you keep up momentum as you progress throughout your career
• How do you manage challenging projects?

2. Workplace Culture

• How to attract, retain, and manage talented staff?
• How to foster leadership development?
• How to successfully manage office morale?
• How to successfully manage difficult personalities?
• How to negotiate or advocate on your own behalf?
• What are some successful workplace initiatives toward equity?

3. Women Architects in Leadership and Design

• How to expand your network?
• How to get involved with the AIA?
• What are some useful leadership skills?
• How to promote women in design roles?
• What are useful strategies for design presentations?
• Who are our design role models?

4. Professional Development

• How to maximize your talent and potential?
• How to develop your architectural career path?
• What are some other architectural sectors available?
• What are the professional or community outreach initiatives?
• How can you empower your own career?
• Who are your mentors and sponsors?

Dear friends and members of the AIANY Women in Architecture Committee (WIA):

The American Institute of Architects New York (AIANY) Women in Architecture Committee’s stated mission is to develop and promote women architects. In light of the recent allegations in the media, we support the women in our industry who have the courage to come forward to share their experiences of sexual assault and harassment. It is our objective to bring awareness of this issue, not just to denounce unacceptable conduct in our professional community, but to foster change to the culture which has allowed these incidents to occur. Unjust causes ranging from abuse of power to unconscious bias exist within an environment that encourages personal sacrifice to an unhealthy degree. We are here to change that.

The currently emerging dialogue in the media, institutions, and in our workplaces is necessary as we move to positively shape the future of our profession. Every architect should start, or continue, to have these conversations so that all the talented minds are harnessed to ultimately improve the field of architecture. Conscientious collaboration with our peers and colleagues in making meaningful changes to office policies can affect everyone in the workplace by developing an equitable environment.

WIA is planning future events to bring valuable information to women architects, empowering and elevating our positions as mentors, advocates, and leaders. The AIANY Women in Architecture Committee will also be collaborating with AIANY on programming about these issues. We welcome everyone from all sectors of our industry to join us in formulating solutions to end the harassment, bullying, discrimination, and disenfranchisement.

There may be differences of opinion about how individuals can move forward, but we should continue the dialogue and move in a positive direction. We encourage you to share your feedback at WIA@aiany.org.

Respectfully,

AIANY Women in Architecture Committee

 Co-Chairs

Vivian Lee, AIA, LEED AP

Kerry Nolan, AIA

Media Communication

Kavya Cherala, Assoc. AIA

Arielle Lapp, Assoc. AIA

Katie Thiele, Assoc. AIA

Advisory Board

Venesa Alicea, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Sandra Benjamin, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB

Jen Stencel, AIA, LEED AP

Rosalind Tsang, AIA

Thank you to everyone who came to our Student Mentoring Warm-Up earlier this week. Participating schools included Cornell AAP New York, Syracuse Fisher Center, and New Jersey Institute of Technology. Students had group and one-on-one mentoring sessions with AIANY WIA members/practitioners for portfolio reviews, informal design critiques and professional development guidance.

Here are some snapshots from the session!

Thank you to everyone who came to our Student Mentoring Warm-Up last week! Participating schools included  Yale School of Architecture, Pratt School of Architecture and School of Architecture & Design, New York Institute of Technology. Students had group and one-on-one mentoring sessions with AIANY WIA members/practitioners for portfolio reviews, informal design critiques and professional development guidance.

Session 2 coming up next week!

Join the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation on April 16th from 9:00-10:30AM for ‘Re-Balancing the Power: Solutions for Sexual Misconduct in Architecture and Design Culture’ to be held at Hafele America Co, 20 W. 22nd Street, Suite 201, New York.

More information can be found here.

Coffee will be served.

Buy your tickets here.

1 LU. $40.00 in advance.