AIANY Women in Architecture Committee, was honored to host our Fall Leadership Breakfast with Andrea Steele, AIA, Founder of Andrea Steele Architecture (ASA). This series brings our community together to share a meal, connect with peers, and hear directly from leaders shaping the practice of architecture today.

Andrea spoke candidly and passionately about her journey—from early influences to establishing her own practice—and the values that continue to guide her work. She reminded us that an architect’s responsibility extends beyond serving the needs of a client: it also encompasses a profound responsibility to the public. Throughout her projects, she has demonstrated how design can transform conflict and constraint into opportunity, and how architecture can act as a framework for people to create their own meaning rather than prescribing it for them.

One of the most resonant takeaways from her recently completed project L10 Arts and Cultural Center was her perspective on community engagement. Rather than treating engagement as a box to check, Andrea emphasized the importance of building ongoing dialogue—listening, responding, and making space for communities to see themselves within the work. She highlighted how layered, flexible environments allow individuals and organizations to find their place, nurture diversity, and foster cultural resilience.

Her remarks underscored that architecture is not simply about constructing buildings, but about shaping spaces that support human connection, creativity, and shared identity. The conversation left us reminded that our responsibility as architects and designers is both humbling and empowering.

We thank Andrea Steele for her thoughtful reflections, and all who joined us for making this morning a meaningful exchange of ideas and inspiration.