Next Thursday evening (9/17) kicks-off the two-day biennial AIA Women’s Leadership Summit. Participants will congregate in Seattle to discuss the theme of CELEBRATING WOMEN LEADERS; CREATING CULTURAL CHANGE and hear from leaders across the profession such as Rosa T. Sheng AIA and Carole Wedge FAIA, LEED AP. This is a forum that focuses on recognizing, informing and championing the work being created by women in architecture. PAYETTE’s Sho-Ping Chin FAIA initiated this effort several years ago on the heels of her work with the Women’s Principals Group at the Boston Society of Architects (BSA).
Sho-Ping formed the BSA Women Principals Planning Committee in 2008 to plan the inaugural gathering of women leaders from across the country, including principals of architecture firms as well as architects in leadership positions from aligned sectors, plus the next generation growing into leadership roles. Attendance was well beyond expectations for the 2009 Summit: 150 women and 1 man, spanning the spectrum of architectural practice — design, management, education, campus and facilities planning — from 23 states from Alaska to Florida.
Sho-Ping’s commitment to raising the profile of women architects and reshaping their perception within the industry built the momentum that lives on in the continuation of the Women’s Leadership Summit and tapped into an evident thirst for knowledge and connection. The 2015 Summit is a sold-out event. The Summit is part of an ongoing national conversation for women in architecture. Goals include: raising the profile of women principals and leaders in the profession; sharing and promoting the design work of women; exploring new paths to leadership; learning from each other regarding issues and challenges.
While the 2015 event is sold-out, there are many opportunities to engage in the dialogue online. Organizers encourage sharing stories about starting Women in Architecture groups, sharing work and memories of Sho-Ping Chin. The Summit will include a piece honoring Sho-Ping’s memory, her work on the Summit and her career in architecture.
Keep with the Summit using the hashtag #aiawls on Facebook (AIA Women’s Leadership Summit), Twitter (@aiawls) or Instagram (@aiawls).
Related:
AIA Women’s Leadership Summit Series
Third time’s a charm! 2013 AIA Women’s Leadership Summit
At PAYETTE, we value the inseparable connection between architecture and landscape. Our “Embedded Nature” approach emphasizes the importance of incorporating nature into even the most complex urban environments, fostering well-being for mind, body and spirit.
Read more about our Landscape team and their brand new website page in the link in bio.