Young women in architecture, engineering and related fields will have the opportunity to learn innovative ways to advance their careers in these traditionally male-dominated industries through the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation’s newly announced Emerging Leaders 2024 program.

Presented at BWAF’s new headquarters, called The Bev, at 424 West 33rd Street in New York City, the enlightening workshop series offers provoking professional development tactics to accelerate young women’s prosperous careers in architecture, engineering and design, and it builds on the BWAF mentorship program that began over five years ago. Attendees of the program’s three sessions will gain valuable relationships and insights by engaging with visionary female leaders in design, culture and planning who will share their experiences and personal strategies for professional success.

“The influences and perceptions of women leaders serve as essential guides for young women invested in thriving careers in architecture, engineering, construction and more,” said Cynthia Phifer Kracauer, AIA, executive director at BWAF. “Emerging Leaders brings female role models who accentuate BWAF’s mission to support and cultivate women’s contributions to these fields by encouraging their persistence, excellence and creativity in their growing careers.”

Beginning in December with second and third sessions in January and February, the Emerging Leaders 2024 “Detours, Diligence, Dreams” program will showcase female leaders who are experts on each of the three themes.

About the Emerging Leaders Presenters

The program’s initial presentation on dreams kicks off on Dec. 5 with the dynamic session leader Kristina Newman-Scott, award-winning executive director of The Greene Space, a performance, arts and journalism venue, and recent president of Brooklyn, New York’s leading arts and media institution, BRIC.

Her fascinating talk on taking a germ of an idea into fruition will incorporate strategies gained from her experience as the first immigrant and first woman of color to serve as BRIC’s president and one of the very few women of color to lead a major New York cultural institution.

Following on Jan. 9, presenters Adrienne Hepler and Allison Robin, co-founders of the owner representation firm Envoie Project, which directs large-scale construction projects, will share their extensive successes in project management, planning, teamwork and development. Their ideas will help steer the session’s attendees through career detours by embracing creativity and renewal that can lead to new and exciting opportunities.

The final program on Feb. 20 will offer ways to cultivate diligence with Mimi Raygorodetsky, practice leader with Langan, the successful engineering and environmental consulting firm. With a highly regarded portfolio of complex environmental remediation and redevelopment projects, Raygorodetsky crafts a talk on diligence to recall how the virtues of “relentless dedication to craft” are key to realizing positive outcomes.

Emerging Leaders 2024

“Detours, Diligence, Dreams”

• Dec. 5: Dreams with Newman-Scott
• Jan. 9: Detours with Hepler and Robin
• Feb. 20: Diligence with Raygorodetsky

All sessions will be held in-person from 6:30 to 8 p.m. ET at BWAF’s new headquarters, The Bev, which is at 424 West 33rd St. in Manhattan, New York. The total program cost is $500. To register, visit BWAF’s website.