As a woman in the building industry, I have seen how not everyone is treated equally, and how some will make assumptions based on gender. At times I have observed a tendency to interpret a woman's statements as being more personal in nature, and therefore easier to dismiss. I tend to take an information-based approach, stating my position and the facts, and standing my ground when needed. However, it can take more effort to have one’s concerns taken seriously.

Many colleagues and fellow members of professional organizations have served as role models. Kate Diamond, FAIA has been a strong role model and mentor over the years, encouraging my interest in environmentally responsible design. The principals at my current firm, RKTB, including Carmi Bee, FAIA and Peter Bafitis, AIA, share a commitment to improving the existing urban fabric through socially conscious design.

A fun project early in my career was a temporary library for a local community college, designed by Caldwell Architects. Our office held a staff competition to gather ideas for the entry ramp and canopy design. I took over the project during construction, so got to participate in both ends of the process. The National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at the Japanese American National Museum, designed by Levin & Associates, was a great project, combining historic preservation and adaptive reuse with new construction. The most impactful project was a rehabilitation of several NYC Housing Authority developments in Brooklyn, with RKTB and Magnusson Architecture and Planning. The developer-led team renovated over a thousand residential units, plus common spaces and community centers, to improve the performance and livability of the complex.