Help us provide perpetual support to future women leaders in architecture

My story and how the Women's Leadership Summit changed my trajectory

In September 2009 the inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit was convened in Chicago, organized by the Boston Society of Architects Women Principals Group.

At that first WLS, I carried two business cards around with me – one for the established firm I was at, the other for my side venture. I handed out both cards looking for the ability to own my path, and the response I got from the women I met was transformative.

Sho-Ping Chin was one of the inspiring women who came home with me as a voice in my head telling me I was ready to invest in my own path. And I did.

In 2009 I was changed by being in that room in Chicago, by being in conversation with those women. And it changed how I practice, how I understand and show leadership, and how I see being able to give my best efforts to clients, projects, colleagues, and the field of architecture.

Help us ensure that other women get the benefit of this experience.

Sho-Ping exemplified what is still missing in our modern architectural practice - strong leadership that represents diversity and gender equity in the design and making of architecture.

The voice of the “other” is desperately needed in this time of change in how our culture, climate, and communities can thrive. We need strong diversity in our firms solving the problems that architecture and design-thinking is uniquely positioned to solve.

The Sho-Ping Chin Women's Leadership Summit Grant is ideal to connect young leaders with a circle of influence beyond their immediate community.

• We need to connect people with mentors, teachers, models, and coaches who have walked in their shoes.
• We need to help every person grow towards their individual potential.
• We need to make space for the female architectural voice in all of its expressions: as design author, as manager, as owner, as director, as expert, as teacher, as writer, as maker, as community builder.