Supporting the Future of Women in Architecture - WLS Scholarship Fundraiser

Event Wrap-up:

On a mission to empower and uplift women in architecture, a successful fundraising event for the Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) scholarship fund was hosted by AIA Philadelphia, the Women in Architecture Committee, AIA Pennsylvania, and Zuzanna Bojarska. The event's goal was to raise money to provide scholarships for the next generation of female architects, giving them the opportunity to attend the WLS conference, a national platform dedicated to advancing women in the field.

The evening began with Pecha Kucha presentations from the 2024 AIA Philadelphia WLS scholarship recipients, Lea Litvin and Roshni Krishnan. Both shared their personal journeys in architecture then reflected on how the summit profoundly impacted their careers. They also spoke to some valuable insights from their experience at the conference. Rebecca Johnson, Jamie Ober and Danielle DiLeo Kim then empowered all by speaking to their experience as a women leaders in the industry during a panel disucssion.

Leah Litvin's Journey & Insights:

Leah Litvin, principal architect at LO Design, shared her transition from working at KieranTimberlake to founding her own firm with her partner, Evan. She highlighted how becoming parents pushed them to take their business seriously. Leah reflected on how attending the leadership summit in Chicago helped her refine her business practices, focusing on leadership, client relations, and team development. She thanked AIA Philadelphia for the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

Roshni Krishnan's Takeaways:

Roshni shared her journey from Chennai, India, to working in Philadelphia on affordable housing and mixed-use projects. At the conference, she gained insights into inclusive leadership, communication, and resilience. Roshni discussed personal and professional growth, emphasizing the value of mentorship, networking, and learning to embrace feedback. She expressed gratitude for the chance to connect with peers and expand her professional network.

Panel Discussion Key Takeaways:

1. Inclusive Scholarship: The Women’s Leadership Summit scholarship is open to all women in architecture, regardless of career stage, offering a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.

2. Personal Impact: Jamie shared how attending the Summit transformed her perspective and reignited her passion for architecture.

3. Leadership & Collaboration: Danielle and Jamie, as AIA leaders, discussed their focus on diversity, equity, and collaboration, stressing the importance of working across disciplines to address challenges like the housing crisis.

4. Interdisciplinary Approach: Rebecca emphasized the importance of collaboration beyond architecture, advocating for a broader approach to solving societal issues.

5. AIA’s Value: Danielle highlighted how AIA provides a platform for leadership, growth, and collaboration, especially for those in non-traditional roles within the field.

6. Work-Life Balance: Setting boundaries and having a support network is crucial when juggling personal and professional responsibilities.

7. Mentorship: Mentorship is transformative, helping individuals feel seen and valued, while also providing guidance for growth.

8. Overcoming Setbacks: Challenges, failures, and stepping back can lead to growth and new opportunities.

9. Authentic Leadership: Being authentic, emotionally intelligent, and coachable strengthens leadership, especially for women in male-dominated fields.

10. Empowering Others: Opening doors for others creates positive change and helps develop future leaders. 

AIA Philadelphia would like to thank you for taking the time to read through this event recap. We are grateful for all of those who made this event possible. Thank you to sponsors Brickworks Design Studio, Gnome Architects, and Lam Partners. Thank you to AIA PA, WIA, and Zuzanna for all of the great collaboration. Thank you to all of those who already donated to the scholarship.

We are half way to our goal in donations. If you would like to make a great impact on empowering women in the industry please, DONATE HERE.

Stay tuned, shcolarship applications will open shortly!
⁠