Apply for the WHR’s Tradewell Fellowship by January 15, 2016.
Female college students can apply to UI leadership institute
Enrollment is open for the University of Iowa Women's Resource and Action Center's ninth annual Iowa N.E.W. Leadership Institute, an intensive, nonpartisan institute designed to empower women across the political spectrum and increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the public sector. The free statewide program brings in nearly 50 Iowa speakers, including elected officials and nonprofit executives. The institute will be held May 23-27. Women enrolled in any post-secondary academic institution in Iowa, female Iowa residents attending college outside the state and female graduate students should apply by Feb. 16. Nominations from college professors are recommended but not required and are due Jan. 29. For more information, visit the Iowa N.E.W. website.
Student Firm Crawl and Social | Postponed
The student firm crawl and social to be held on November 9th is being postponed to this spring. iaWia apologizes for the short notice, but hopes to see everyone at the November Social on November 20th. If you have any questions please email us, thanks so much.
AIA Women's Leadership Summit
Bethany Jordan, a Iowa Women in Architecture member based in Cedar Rapids, attended the AIA Women's Leadership Summit in Seattle. Read on to learn what the summit covered and what Bethany had to share.
I recently attended the AIA Women's Leadership Summit for the first time. It was a truly engaging experience. The host city, Seattle, Washington is an amazing place with inspiring atmosphere. The keynote presentations, sessions and lunch discussions were informative and motivating. I come back primed to have discussion and create change. Here are a few things I’ve learned.
We’ve made good progress since the first Women’s Leadership Summit in 2009. Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, wants us to keep pushing forward. Since 2009:
- Female architecture students up 10%
- Women architecture faculty up 38%
- Licensed women architects up 10%
While promising, it’s not far enough. Key issues we must keep pushing for improvement within the profession are:
- The pay gap widens with experience
- Culture of over-work has not improved enough
- Reasonable parental leave
- Women in leadership positions
- Re-defining success so it’s not based on seat time
Charlotte Bunch said “You can’t just add women and stir.” Schwennsen closed by encouraging us all to “keep stirring.”
Courtney Martin, author and entrepreneur, lead a spirited talk on why women leave the profession. Reasons included: workplace culture, isolation, reproduction, punishing schedules, and career advancement. Martin, who is married to an architect, shared a slide that I found particularly heartening titled “Sh*t not to feel bad about, (from an outside, rational opinion)” and stated we should not be discouraged that we are not licensed or that we’re not working constantly - the system is broken, not us.
How we can change this:
- Be yourself, kill the myth of meritocracy
- Correct for your own socialization: we were raised with inequality, don’t perpetuate it unknowingly
- Bring all women to the table, make conversation: older women need to share experiences with younger women
- Motivate people through humor
- Stay in for the long haul, change takes time
Martin encouraged us to be as visionary about our careers, as we are with the buildings we create.
The best thing I am taking back from the Summit is intangible – the connections I’ve made with many amazing women, all of whom I hope to see again. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the support from my office leadership to attend the convention. Because of that, I can now share the knowledge of 325+ women. The next AIA Women’s Leadership Summit is in Washington, D.C. I hope to see you there!
Bethany A. Jordan, Assoc. AIA, Shive-Hattery
Things (and people) you should check out:
- Parlour http://archiparlour.org/
- Equity by Design, EQxD http://www.architectmagazine.com/practice/equity-by-design-the-missing-32-project-releases-complete-findings-on-women-in-architecture_o
- ArchiMom Blog http://archimom.com/
- Amy Cuddy https://www.ted.com/speakers/amy_cuddy
- Courtney Martin http://www.courtneyemartin.com/
Women in Architecture Traveling Exhibit
The Women in Architecture Traveling Exhibit will be in Des Moines from October 15-16 as part of the American Institute of Architecture Iowa Conference. Held at Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at Veterans Memorial, the exhibit spotlights contributions women have made to the profession and the changing role of women in architecture and design. The exhibit will be available for free public viewing in the Grand Concourse from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Read more: http://www.businessrecord.com/Content/NEWS-BY-INDUSTRY/Lift-IOWA/Article/Women-in-Architecture-traveling-exhibit-to-stop-in-Iowa/176/1015/70488#ixzz3oOQ70OLj
Meet our Speakers: Gary D. Scott
The Iowa Women in Architecture Annual Meeting is on Tuesday, September 8th. Learn more about our final speaker, Gary D. Scott, FASLA!
Gary D. Scott, FASLA
Gary Scott is a licensed landscape architect and the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of West Des Moines, Iowa. He leads a dynamic department in a rapidly growing suburban community, with major emphasis on planning, financing, acquiring, and building the park and open space system. Prior to being promoted to Director in 1990, Gary served as Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation and Landscape Architect for the City from 1984-1990, and as Landscape Architect for HDR-Cochran and Wilken, Inc., a multi-disciplinary consulting firm in Springfield, Illinois, from 1980-1984.
Gary focuses his professional efforts on long range planning, local and regional partnerships, public art, financing for public projects, and non-profit/local government management. For over two decades, he has initiated and organized regional planning projects for trails and greenways in Des Moines and Central Iowa. He has also served the American Society of Landscape Architects in a variety of national roles for the last 20 years.
Gary received his bachelor of landscape architecture degree from the University of Wisconson-Madison. Gary is actively involved with the American Society of Landscape Architects and has held many positions within the organization over the last 27 years. Most recently, Gary served as President in 2009/2010 and as a member of the Council of Fellows Jury from 2013-2016. He was inducted as a fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2007.
Don’t forget to RSVP for the Annual Meeting on September 8th from 5:15 – 7:30 PM, there are limited seats available! Sign up through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-iawia-annual-meeting-tickets-18226998443
Meet our Speakers: Kate Schwennsen
The Iowa Women in Architecture Annual Meeting is on Tuesday, September 8th. Learn more about one of our speakers, Kate Schwennsen, FAIA!
Kate Schwennsen, FAIA
Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, is the Director of the School of Architecture, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. She is a recognized leader in bridging architectural education and practice, and was recently named by DesignIntelligence as one of the 30 Most Admire Educators for 2015. She joined the Clemson faculty as the school’s chair in August 2010, and has since taken great pleasure in being immersed in the energy, optimism and ambition that permeates Lee Hall, and throughout the school’s Fluid Campus.
Kate is a recognized leader in bridging architectural education and practice, with expertise in issues of design leadership, diversity, and evolving models of practice and education in architecture. Kate has held many leadership positions in professional organizations, and is currently the Co-Chair of the Education Commission of the International Union of Architects (UIA), and Co-Reporter for the UNESCO/UIA Validation Council. Schwennsen was 2006 President of the American Institute of Architects, the second woman to serve as the elected leader of this then-149-year-old, 80,000-member organization.
She is licensed to practice architecture in Iowa and South Carolina, and has worked on projects, mostly senior living and housing, in a dozen states. Professor Schwennsen was formerly Professor of Architecture and Associate Dean (2001-2010) for Academic Programs of the College of Design, Iowa State University, which was also her alma mater for her BA and M.Arch.
Don’t forget to RSVP for the Annual Meeting on September 8th from 5:15 – 7:30 PM, there are limited seats available! Sign up through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-iawia-annual-meeting-tickets-18226998443
Meet our Speakers: Paul Mankins
The Iowa Women in Architecture Annual Meeting is on Tuesday, September 8th. Learn more about one of our speakers, Paul Mankins, FAIA!
Paul Mankins, FAIA
Paul Mankins is widely regarded as one of the leading design practitioners in the Midwest. During the last three decades, he has directed the design of significant corporate, residential, civic and higher education facilities recognized with over 40 design awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). These projects include the Principal Riverwalk Pavilion and Pump Station along the Des Moines River, the renovation of the Oreon E. Scott Chapel at Drake University, and Des Moines’ New Central Library. In addition, he has taught architectural design at Iowa State University (ISU) since 1998, and is a frequent academic and professional design awards juror nationwide. In recognition of his contributions to the profession, Paul received the Design Achievement Award from ISU in 1998, the Young Architects Award from the AIA in 2003, and in 2004 he was elected to the AIA’s College of Fellows. In 2011, Paul was named a Richard Upjohn Fellow of the AIA for his efforts leading the Institute, and in 2013 he received AIA Iowa’s Medal of Honor – the highest honor the chapter can bestow. As a complement to his architectural work, Paul serves as Chair of the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and is a member of the Board of Regents for the American Architectural Foundation in Washington, D.C.
Don’t forget to RSVP for the Annual Meeting on September 8th from 5:15 – 7:30 PM, there are limited seats available! Sign up through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-iawia-annual-meeting-tickets-18226998443
Meet our Speakers: R. Wayne Drummond
The Iowa Women in Architecture Annual Meeting is on Tuesday, September 8th. Learn more about one of our speakers, Wayne Drummond, FAIA!
R. Wayne Drummond, FAIA
Wayne Drummond, FAIA, Emeritus Dean & Professor, College of Architecture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been a fellow of the American Institute of Architects since 1996, Wayne has nearly 40 years' experience in architecture at both the professional and academic levels. His administrative experience includes eight years as department head at Auburn University (1979-87) and 20 years as dean of colleges of architecture at major universities, Texas Tech (1987-90), Florida (1990-99) and UNL. He has served as the national president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture and the National Architectural Accreditation Board, and Tau Sigma Delta, the honor society for architecture and related professions.
In 2011, Wayne was awarded the Harry F. Cunningham Gold Medal for Architectural Excellence in the State of Nebraska. The Gold Medal is the highest honor that AIA Nebraska can bestow and is awarded in recognition of the most distinguished achievement in architecture or service to the profession of architecture in the State of Nebraska.
Drummond served as Dean to the College of Architecture at the University of Nebraska from July 200 to July 2011. While Dean, Wayne Drummond worked tirelessly to create opportunities for design-oriented students, faculty, and both emerging and established architectural professionals.
A native of Baton Rouge, La., Drummond earned a master of architecture degree at Rice University, bachelor of architecture degree at Louisiana State University, and a diploma in architecture from the Fontainebleau School of Music and Fine Arts in France. He worked in private practice in Texas, Kansas and Washington, D.C., and served on the architecture faculties at the University of Kansas, Auburn, Clemson and Rice universities.
Don’t forget to RSVP for the Annual Meeting on September 8th from 5:15 – 7:30 PM, there are limited seats available! Sign up through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-iawia-annual-meeting-tickets-18226998443
Meet our Speakers: Jeffrey W. Anderzohn
The Iowa Women in Architecture Annual Meeting is on Tuesday, September 8th. Learn more about one of our speakers, Jeffrey Anderzohn, FAIA!
Jeffrey Anderzhon, FAIA
Jeffrey Anderzhon, FAIA is a Senior Planner/Design Architect specializing in environments for the elderly with Eppstein Uhen Architects. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Illinois Institute of Technology where he received the 2008 Alumni Professional Achievement Award. He is licensed as an Architect in 24 states and a member of the College of Fellows, American Institute of Architects. He is co-author of the books “Design for Aging Post Occupancy Evaluations” and “Design for Aging, International Case Studies of Building and Program,” and has written numerous articles on environments for the elderly. He is a frequent speaker at professional organizations, both nationally and internationally, on environments for the aging and their relationship to quality of life for the elderly. He served as the 2006 Chair for the American Institute of Architects Design for Aging Knowledge Community, 2007, 2009 and 2011 Jury Chair for the International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing Design Symposium, and juror for the Design for Future Aging, Student Competition, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea in 2006 and 2007.
Don’t forget to RSVP for the Annual Meeting on September 8th from 5:15 – 7:30 PM, there are limited seats available! Sign up through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-iawia-annual-meeting-tickets-18226998443
Meet our Moderator: Mindy Aust
The Iowa Women in Architecture Annual Meeting is on Tuesday, September 8th. Learn more about our discussion moderator, Mindy Aust, AIA!
Mindy Aust, AIA
Mindy Aust, AIA is a graduate from Iowa State University where she received a Bachelor of Architecture in 2001 with a minor in entrepreneurial studies. She began her professional career as an intern with Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck Architecture prior to joining substancearchitecture in 2005. She has been involved in carefully crafted residential projects, complex higher education facilities, historic restoration projects, multiple public libraries and numerous government assignments including the award winning Historic Federal Courthouse in Cedar Rapids. Currently she is leading the renovation of the College of Engineering’s Marston Hall on Iowa State University’s campus.
With her husband Matt, Mindy thoroughly enjoys raising her three children, ages 3, 5 and 7. She is very active in her community and the AIA including serving on the Board of the West Des Moines Historical Society as Secretary. In 2016 Mindy will be President of AIA Iowa and is a past Board Member of Iowa Women in Architecture. She is passionate about increasing the number of women in leadership in the profession of Architecture.
Don't forget to RSVP for the Annual Meeting on September 8th from 5:15 - 7:30 PM, there are limited seats available! Sign up through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-iawia-annual-meeting-tickets-18226998443
New AIA Salary Calculator
The AIA has released the 2015 Compensation Report and with it they've also released a salary calculator. Check out the link to see where your salary should be based on your position and location.
2015 NCARB by the Numbers Released
The 2015 NCARB by the numbers has been released and major findings from the 2015 report include record high figures for aspiring architects and growing diversity within the profession in terms of both women and racial and ethnic minorities.
Take a look at the full report here: http://www.ncarb.org/Home/About-NCARB/NCARB-by-the-Numbers.aspx
Event Recap - Unintentional Bias Panel Discussion
Thank you to everyone who attended the panel discussion on Tackling Unintentional Bias last Thursday. With over 60 people in attendance, it was a great opportunity for the panelists to offer insight on the subject. Each panelist has extensive experience with diversity and inclusion throughout their personal lives and professional careers. Moderator Lorin Ditzler kept the conversation flowing by asking the panel what unintentional bias is and what it looks like; why is in important to tackle biases; and what can we do to tackle those biases. Each panelist drew from their own experiences to provide in-depth answers.
Some really great take-aways from the panel were the discussions about how bias can be both intentional and unintentional, that bias is not just an “ism” – sexism, racism, ageism, etc. – but could be assumptions or pre-conceived ideas, and how being intentional in the work place could help people to become aware of bias and work to correct it.
Also a big thank you to our panelists and moderator: Rona Berinbois with Wellmark, Lindsay Moser with Principal Financial Group, Renee Thomas with RDG Planning and Design, Thomas Newkirk with Newkirk Zwagerman and moderator, Lorin Ditzler with RDG Planning and Design.
Read it Here - Tom Newkirk's Paper on Unintentional Bias
Iowa Women in Architecture will host a panel discussion, “Tackling Unintentional Bias” at the Des Moines Central Library on June 18. The expert panel will discuss how unintentional bias is identified, addressed, and changed in a range of disciplines and contexts. Through panelists’ expertise and personal experiences, we will define unintentional bias, describe why it is damaging to people and organizations, and make recommendations for identifying and correcting bias for healthier individuals and workplaces. Panelists include:
- Renee Thomas, Lighting Designer, RDG
- Rona Berinobis, Vice President, Inclusion and Organizational Development, Wellmark
- Tom Newkirk, Partner, Newkirk Zwagerman
- Lindsay Moser, Campus and Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Principal Financial Group Inc.
Moderator: Lorin Ditzler, Urban Planner, RDG
Here is a link to Tom Newkirk's paper on Five Concepts to Understand and Prevent Implicit (Unconscious) Bias. Please read his paper in conjunction with the event on Thursday for greater understanding into what unintentional bias is and how to address it.
Meet the Panelists: Tom Newkirk
The Tackling Unintentional Bias panel discussion is Thursday, June 18th. Learn a little more about our final panelist, Tom Newkirk!
Tom Newkirk, Partner, Newkirk Zwagerman
Thomas Newkirk is a civil rights attorney practicing law in Iowa for 25 years. Tom's primary focus is in the representation of persons of color and women in their pursuit of an equitable share of the benefits of American society. To accomplish that goal Tom has developed an expertise in the analysis of bias and its impact on decision-making that he applies to the practice of law.
In 2003, Tom was invited, along with 20 leading social scientists and law professors, to participate in the first of its kind symposium at Harvard University to address the need to merge a more scientific understanding of bias and its effect on decisions into the law. Since that time Tom has continued to develop his expertise in the analysis of bias and to develop methods to reduce the harm from bias (in all its forms) upon equal access to criminal and civil justice, employment, and other areas affecting distribution of resources including equality for women in universities and for all groups in access to medical care.
Tom holds degrees from Drake University and Drake Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. He was admitted before the courts of the State of Iowa in 1989. He is also admitted to practice in both Federal District Courts in Iowa, as well as the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Current professional affiliations include the National Employment Lawyers Association, and Iowa Employment Lawyers Association, for which he has been an officer for several years.
Tom currently lives in Des Moines, Iowa, where he and his wife are raising three children to be enlightened and respectful to all walks of life.
Don’t forget to sign up for Tackling Unintentional Bias on Thursday, June 18th at 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Sign up on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tackling-unintentional-bias-tickets-17157883692
Meet the Panelists: Renee Thomas
The Tackling Unintentional Bias panel discussion is on Thursday, June 18th. Learn a little more about our panelist, Renee Thomas!
Renee Thomas, Lighting Designer, RDG
Simultaneously engaged in the complementary professions of Lighting Engineering, Commercial Architecture and Architectural Lighting Design - Renée Thomas brings extensive ‘hands-on’ experience and focused competencies that cross multiple disciplines. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and a licensed registered architect with over 20 years of multi-disciplinary AED design and project management experience. She is as well an NCIDQ Certified Commercial Interior Designer. Lastly she is a professional member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Thomas specializes in rigorous, creative, constructible and environmentally sustainable design solutions at all levels and scales of the built environment.
Don’t forget to sign up for Tackling Unintentional Bias on Thursday, June 18th at 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Sign up on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tackling-unintentional-bias-tickets-17157883692
Meet the Panelists: Lindsay Moser
The Tackling Unintentional Bias panel discussion is on Thursday, June 18th. Learn a little more about our panelist, Lindsay Moser!
Lindsay Moser, Campus and Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Principal Financial Group Inc.
Lindsay is a campus relations, diversity, and sourcing manager with the Principal Financial Group®. She has responsibilities for the campus recruiting functions, proactive sourcing/recruitment functions diversity & inclusion for the organization. On the campus side, she is responsible for oversight of the campus recruiting efforts, internship program recruitment efforts, and campus relations universities/college relationships within the areas of IT, Accounting, Actuarial Science, Marketing/PR/Communications, Management, and the Leadership Development Rotation Program at The Principal.
On the diversity & inclusion side, she is responsible for the oversight of the diversity & inclusion efforts which include but are not limited to, oversight of the company sponsored Employee Resource Groups, diversity & inclusion programming, and supporting company efforts to attract and retain top qualified diverse talent within the organization. Early 2015 she assumed additional responsibilities for oversight of the proactive sourcing function which includes consulting and creating strategies to attract top talent for niche positions to join our firm. Additionally, as a member of the Recruitment and Diversity team at The Principal, I thrive on making connections with individuals to reflect the global markets Principal serves. Finding the diversity in the differences that bring us all together unite us as a company to continue our success as a leader in retirement and global asset management.
Moser joined The Principal® in July 2005 as a campus consultant within HR Recruiting. In 2006 she moved into a recruitment consultant position, in 2008 into the senior recruitment consultant position, in March 2013 she re-joined the campus team as the campus relations manager, in July 2013 she assumed responsibility for the diversity & inclusion team in addition to the campus team., and early in 2015 assumed responsibilities for the proactive sourcing function in the department. Prior to joining The Principal, Moser was an Assistant Athletic Director within Student-Athlete Services at Iowa State University.
A native Iowan, Moser earned her BS degree in Psychology and M Ed in Higher Education, Student Affairs at Iowa State University. She recently was recognized as a member of the Business Record's 40 under 40 Class of 2015. She is an active member of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Inclusion Council as well as the HR Advisor for The Principal Financial Diversity Council. She resides in Ames, IA with her husband (Andrew) and their three children Jasmine (10), Jade (8), and Aysia (6).
Don’t forget to sign up for Tackling Unintentional Bias on Thursday, June 18th at 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Sign up on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tackling-unintentional-bias-tickets-17157883692
Meet the Panelists: Rona Berinobis
The Tackling Unintentional Bias panel discussion is on Thursday, June 18th. Learn a little more about our first panelist, Rona Berinobis!
Rona Berinobis, Vice President, Inclusion and Organizational Development, Wellmark
Rona has been with Wellmark for 22 years. Since 2008, in collaboration with Chairman and CEO John Forsyth, she has led Wellmark’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. In this role, Rona has developed and executed comprehensive strategies for leveraging diversity and inclusion for the workforce, workplace and marketplace to maximize organizational effectiveness. In 2013 her role was expanded to assume accountability for talent acquisition focused on attracting and securing quality talent for the company. In 2015, she also assumed leadership responsibility for talent development and learning.
Before moving into Human Resources, Rona was the Director of National Accounts for Wellmark. She has extensive experience in health insurance sales, account management and marketing. Rona’s expertise is in strategic development, coaching and consulting and crafting innovative solutions to align with a client’s cultural and environmental needs. Prior to joining Wellmark, she held sales and marketing leadership roles with United Health Care and Mercy Health Services.
Rona holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from Bellevue University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Upper Iowa University. She’s secured designations as a Certified Health Consultant and Professional of the Academy of Health Management.
Rona is the Vice-Chair of Wellmark’s Inclusion Council second in command to Wellmark’s Chairman and CEO John Forsyth. She has been appointed to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Diversity Alliance Council, is past chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Diversity Council and is the Chair for the Iowa Asian Alliance Board of Directors. Rona also serves on multiple community advisory committees. She is a member of the Talent Management and Diversity Executive Human Capital Executive Research Board.
Since assuming her current role, Wellmark has earned the CISHRM Diversity Award, Diversity Journal’s Diversity Leader Award, Diversity Journal’s CEO Leadership in Action Award, DiversityBusiness.com Diversity Champion Award, NAACP Merit Employer Award, Greater Des Moines Partnership Diversity Award, Better Business Bureau Integrity Award, Professional Women’s Magazine Diversity Best of the Best, Hispanic Network Magazine Diversity Best of the Best, Black Journal Diversity Best of the Best, and South Dakota SHRM Workplace Excellence Award.
Don’t forget to sign up for Tackling Unintentional Bias on Thursday, June 18th at 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Sign up on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tackling-unintentional-bias-tickets-17157883692
Meet our Moderator: Lorin Ditzler
The Tackling Unintentional Bias panel discussion is next Thursday, June 18th. Learn a little more about our panel moderator, Lorin Ditzler!
Lorin Ditzler
Lorin Ditzler is a community planner at RDG Planning and Design in Des Moines, where she works primarily on long-range plans for small communities in Iowa. In her free time she sings and plays banjo in a local band, and starting in July she'll be spending a lot of time hanging out with her new baby! Lorin holds a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Iowa and a BA from Grinnell College. She credits her experiences at the socially-conscious Grinnell with helping her to first identify her own unintentional biases, and giving her tools to manage them.
Don't forget to sign up for Tackling Unintentional Bias on Thursday, June 18th at 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Sign up on the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tackling-unintentional-bias-tickets-17157883692