The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation will host its ninth Emerging Leaders program this summer, an acclaimed workshop series designed to uplift and support young professional women in the architecture, engineering and construction fields. Since its inception in 2017, this program has delivered an important platform for successful women in the AEC world to connect with, inspire, and mentor new generations of women in the field.

“The Emerging Leaders program provides young female architects with the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of highly experienced and influential women in the industry on topics ranging from architecture, engineering, and construction, to real estate, law, and financial services,” said Cynthia Phifer Kracauer, AIA, executive director of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation. “Our goal is to advance women in early career stages by giving them the ability to share their experiences and strategies in a small-group setting to further their career ambitions and professional success.”

Featuring the themes of agility, ambition, and authenticity, three respective virtual workshops will make up this summer's program, with each session led by a different prominent and inspiring woman in the field.

Danielle Tillman, AIA, NOMA will lead the first session, scheduled for June 28, on the theme of ambition. Tillman is the managing principal at bKL Architecture and was a recipient of American Institute of Architects 2021 Young Architects Award. As one of fewer than 500 black women to become a licensed architect in the United States, Tillman has proven her tenacity and drive to support greater diversity and representation in the industry. Her work has not only furthered greater diversity among architects, but also fostered diversity in expressions of the built environment. • In her session on ambition, Tillman will speak to the subject of “cultivating your ambition, setting realizable “reach” goals, and “mobilizing your inner resources with a strong desire for achievement.”

The second session, scheduled for July 19, will be led by Ebbie Wisecarver, senior vice president and global head of design at WeWork, a cooperative workspace company. She is also a member of WeWork’s global diversity council. Wisecarver has risen to the top of her industry, and has extensive experience managing large teams of architects, and designers, as well as engineers. • Speaking on the topic of agility, Wisecarver will address questions, including: “How do we navigate obstacles in our careers? Do we charge at the fences, stumble, and fall?”

The final session on August 23 will feature the perspective of Annya Ramírez-Jiménez, AIA, director at Marvel Architects. With a career focused on building equitable communities and resources, Ramírez-Jiménez is a fierce advocate for equity through her work in architecture. She is currently a board member for The Clemente Center, a Puerto Rican and Latinx cultural space in the Lower East Side, and a member of the AIANY Honors Committee. • Under the theme of authenticity, Ramírez-Jiménez will speak about “bringing your whole self to work. By using all of our resources, both professional, and our inner reserves of resilience, persistence and drive, we are able to overcome the implicit bias around our gender.”

“BWAF is looking forward to hosting these outstanding presenters for the Emerging Leaders program,” said Kracauer. “We are excited to be joined by the three of the industry’s female powerhouses in the advancement of young professional women and anticipate empowering discussions for our attendees.”

The registration deadline for the program has been extended until June 21. Interested participants can write veskridge@bwaf.org.

Session 1, Tuesday, June 28, 6:30-8PM. Session 2, Tuesday, July 19, 6:30-8PM Session 3, Tuesday, August 23, 6:30-8PM All 2022 sessions are virtual.