AIA Houston Women in Architecture 2022 Equity Series Workshop

AIA Houston Women in Architecture 2022 Equity Series

Hustle Up! | Curating Entrepreneurial Paths in Architecture

Date: June 21, 2022 - 9am-Noon

Location: Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce, Houston, TX

AIA Credit: 2.0 LU

PART 2: WORKSHOP

…During a time when mainstream opinion suggests that people must rely on the adoption of various “side hustles” and “level-up” mentalities for personal and career advancement, it’s hard to imagine many paths forward that do not involve the eventual embrace of entrepreneurship…
.
Part 2 of the Hustle-Up series features a workshop led by Leah Alissa Bayer, President of Architects FORA and Je’Nen M. Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA , founder of Apostrophe Consulting .  This engaging and interactive session will guide attendees through key goals and ideas to explore approaches in addressing the social, economical, and cultural decision-making elements required for entrepreneurial success.

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding personal motivations when developing a vision.
• Developing critical soft skills necessary for professional growth.
• Leveraging networks, resources, and business tools for entrepreneurial success.
• Prioritizing and honoring personal values while establishing goals.

Speakers:

Leah Alissa Bayer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, President of Architects FORA, is passionate about improving the quality of other people’s lives by fostering authentic connections and positive experiences. Skilled in creative business management and storytelling, Leah designs systems and teams at FORA that are transparent, equitable, and healthy, which then carries into the work that FORA creates.

Prior to acquiring OJK Architecture & Planning and rebranding the company as FORA, Leah founded an award-winning, 100% women-led, virtual firm, EVIA Studio, that designed housing along the Pacific Coast. Before starting EVIA, Leah worked as an architect at Perkins+Will in San Francisco designing and managing biotech, workplace, and campus planning projects and as a project manager at WMAA in Silicon Valley managing multi-family developments and custom homes. Leah studied architectural engineering, fine art, and architecture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she earned her B.Arch degree and is licensed in California and Washington State.

Passionate about communication, equity, and business development, Leah volunteers regularly to improve the profession – most recently as President of AIA Silicon Valley, Director of AIA California Board and member of AIA CA Practice Advisory Committee, Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Summit, Practice of Architecture Coach, and Chair of NCARB’s Experience Committee.

Je’Nen M. Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA is the founder of Apostrophe Consulting, a practice focused on helping architects and next-gen leaders strengthen their teams and businesses.

In addition to consulting with firm leaders on practice management issues, she mentors architects on career development, leadership, and strategy. She specializes in facilitating conversations that engage multi-generational teams and has designed, developed, and presented dozens of training programs that inspire next-gen leaders. She is currently working on several in-house training solutions with award-winning firms that provide support to their teams on leadership development, mentorship, and communication.

Je’Nen is a co-host on the podcast Practice Disrupted, a show that explores the evolution of architectural practice through conversations with industry thought leaders. Through this work she’s transformed her expertise in marketing and communication into a passion for telling the stories of leaders who are moving the practice of architecture forward. Common themes discussed on the show include business strategy, operations, technology, cultural shifts, entrepreneurship, and professional development.

Je'Nen earned both her MBA and BArch, and has trained in architecture. She has received several awards for her leadership in the profession, including the 2017 AIA Associates Award.

Cost:

• $20 AIA Members / AIAH Affiliate Members / Students
• $25 Non-Members

Additional Information:

• Advanced registration is required.  A minimum of 3 days' notice is required to recieve a full refund if you need to cancel your reservation
• Surface lot parking and street parking avaiilable (fees apply)
• Walking distance from the Metro Rail line