Understanding Unconscious Bias - An important conversation brought to AIA DC by LA.IDEA & EAC

The inaugural session of the District Architecture Center’s Leadership Series took place on Tuesday, May 28th, 2019: Understanding Unconscious Bias, an event organized by LA.IDEA and the Emerging Architects Committee.

The program consisted of a fantastic presentation by Ph.D. Monica Oldham, Head of Diversity and Inclusion from the World Bank Group, with stimulating remarks and interactive exercises with the audience. Monica walked the attendees through what Unconscious Bias is, where it comes from, and important strategies to asses it.

Sarah Wingo, AIA, from the Emerging Architects Committee, moderated a panel discussion subsequent to the presentation, touching upon the subjects of how Unconscious Bias affects the profession’s pipeline, opportunities in hiring and promoting, different communities, and business practices. It was an honor to have as panelists for this program:

Mariela Buendia-Corrochano, IIDA, LEED ID+C

As Gensler's Southeast Region’s Design Synergy Leader, Mariela works across the firm from her Washington, DC base to elevate Gensler’s design by developing talent and promoting innovation. She engages in regional initiatives that foster cross-discipline design synergy and broaden the firm’s design dialogue.

Michael Marshall AIA, NOMA, NCARB

Michael is the design director and principal of Michael Marshall Design. He manages the firm’s architectural projects with a keen sensitivity to context and environment, and leads each project in design excellence. Marshall has been recognized as a 2016 “Power 100 Playmaker” and 2014 “Minority Business Leader of the Year” by the Washington Business Journal

Del Ruff, MA

Del Ruff serves as Senior Director of Workforce and Education for the American Institute of Architects national office in Washington DC. Del’s responsibilities include the management of the workforce and education team which focuses on the concerns of addressing the pipeline to becoming an architect and equity, diversity, and inclusion of the profession

L.AIDEA would like to thank our talented speaker and panelists for sharing their time and experiences with the audience, as well as everyone who attended the event and enriched the significant conversation that we had that evening.