On December 5, 2023, the AIA New York Women in Architecture Committee, hosted our 15th Annual Speed Mentoring Program at the Center for Architecture. This year we were honored to have 20 outstanding women leaders serve as mentors:  Angelica T. Baccon, AIA, Principal, SHoP Architects; Gaylin M. Bowie, NOMA, Senior Project Manager, RAMSA; Louise Braverman, FAIA, Principal, Louise Braverman Architect; Nicole Dosso, FAIA, Vice President, Vornado Realty Trust; Thielly Ferreira, Senior Vice President, Head of Design, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield; Nancy Aber Goshow, AIA, Managing Partner, Goshow Architects; Sara Jazayeri, AIA, Founder and Principal, Studio 360, President,  AIA Bronx; Georgina Lalli, AIA, Senior Associate Principal, KPF; Andrea Lamberti, AIA, Partner, Rafael Viñoly Architects; 2023 Immediate Past President, AIA New York; Susan Link, AIA, Project Manager, Curtis + Ginsberg Architect; Sandy McKee, FAIA, Partner, Yoshihara McKee Architects ; Deborah Moelis, AIA, Principal, Handel Architects ; Julie Nelson, AIA, Partner, BKSK Architects; Anik Pearson, AIA, Principal, Anik Pearson Architect
Angelique Pierre, AIA, Founder, blk|dr Architecture & Development ; Faith Rose, AIA, Partner, O’Neill Rose Architects ; Wendi Shafran, AIA, Principal, FXCollaborative ; Lissa So, AIA, Founding Partner, Marvel ; Elizabeth Thompson, RA, Principal, Elizabeth Thompson Architect; and Betty Rexrode, AIA, Principal, Rexrode Chirigos Architects.

We had a sold-out, packed house—the energy and excitement was palpable! We are truly grateful to each of our mentors for taking time out of their busy schedules to offer advice, guidance, support and encouragement to our mentees. We had quite a few students this year interested in pursuing architecture, as well as practitioners from different stages in their careers. Our esteemed mentors serve as role models and each have unique experiences to share. It was important that our mentees interact with a diverse range of accomplished women leaders. We thank our mentors for paying it forward, and we thank our mentees for their interest, curiosity and questions. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback and Speed Mentoring is one of WIA’s core events, facilitating valuable connections, and providing inspiration and encouragement to mentors and mentees alike.

We would also like to acknowledge John Rusk and Rusk Inc, who generously sponsored the catering of our event.

We are thrilled to end the 2023 year of WIA programming with Speed Mentoring, and we wish everyone the very best for a happy, healthy and festive holiday season! See you in January at our Committee Meeting and Recognition Award and Holiday Party!