June 20, 2012
by: admin

Daniel Fox

Event: Breakfast Leadership with Susan Chin, FAIA
Speaker: Susan Chin, FAIA, Executive Director, Design Trust for Public Space; AIA National 2013-2014 Vice President
Location
: Center for Architecture, 06.08.12
Organizer
: AIANY Women in Architecture Committee

Susan Chin, FAIA, has been a leader in the architectural profession as well as the American Institute for Architects for more than 30 years. She recently spoke at the Women in Architecture (WIA) June Breakfast Leadership session to share lessons learned and advice for women in all career stages.

Though women comprise over 40% of graduating architecture students, they make up less than 20% of architects attaining licensure, Chin noted. She questioned why we are still grappling with the glass ceiling, and credits a number of mentors, both men and women, who helped her avoid such obstacles early in her career. The late Jan Pokorny, FAIA, suggested Chin gain hands-on experience on job sites, so she built up her physical strength and climbed scaffolding to inspect masonry work. In the 1980s, she met the late Margaret Helfand, FAIA, through the WIA committee, who encouraged her to apply as Assistant Commissioner for Capital Projects for the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, a position that Chin held for more than 20 years – until last year, when she became the Executive Director of the non-profit Design Trust for Public Space.

Chin is a former president of the AIA New York Chapter, current AIA National Board member and a New York Regional Director, and she was recently elected as the 2013-14 AIA Vice President. It’s no surprise that she encourages women to participate in the AIA to build leadership and organizational skills, and also to learn to recognize skill sets and passions within others. “It is important to look beyond oneself,” she believes. “People always ask, ‘what does the AIA do for me?’ But it’s not about you; it’s about driving business to architects.”

An ongoing issue for the profession, according to Chin, is communicating its value to the public. She urged attendees to refine their “elevator speech” for friends, family, and non-architect acquaintances. Leaving attendees with another point to ponder, she asked: “Do you have a five-year plan?” Chin hopes to see more architects serving in capacities beyond traditional practice, such as holding political office.

Murrye Bernard is a freelance architecture writer and a contributing editor to Contract magazine and e-Oculus. www.murrye.com

BROWSER UPGRADE RECOMMENDED

Our website has detected that you are using a browser that will prevent you from accessing certain features. An upgrade is recommended to experience. Use the links below to upgrade your exisiting browser.