How to Succeed in Architecture: Women and Architecture

What it's About

It is hardly news anymore that women make up half of the students in architectural programs in the United States, but only 18% of architects. How can we create an environment to retain more women in the field? Where should we look for inspiration? To lead our discussion the day before International Women's day, we invited Katherine Darnstadt and Kimberly Dowdell, two powerful leaders in architecture and public policy.
And we are doing something a little different for this Hangout: we will invite one more panelist of your choice to join them on March 7th, just nominate your favorite woman architect in the comments section and we will get in touch with the most requested.

Who is Presenting

Architect and educator Katherine Darnstadt is the founder and principal of LATENT DESIGN, a collaborative of individuals whose projects focus on social, economic and environmental impact beyond the building. Katherine has participated in the 1% program and is the former director of the Chicago chapter of Architecture for Humanity. Since founding her practice in 2010, Katherine and her firm have been recognized as an emerging leader in the architecture profession and have been published, exhibited and featured widely, most notably at the International Venice Biennale, Core 77 Design Awards, Chicago Ideas Week, NPR, and as the 2013 American Institute of Architects Young Architects Honor Award winner.

Kimberly Dowdell,  AIA, NOMA, SEED, LEED AP BD+C, is a licensed architect, who is currently serving in a real estate project management role at Levien & Company in New York.  Kim brings both design and marketing experience to her role, which also involves marketing the project management and owner representation services of her firm to not-for-profit organizations.  Her previous experience includes various roles at prominent architectural and planning firms such as HOK and Ayers Saint Gross, as well as at the General Services Administration (GSA) in the Office of the Chief Architect.
Kim has held local and national leadership positions in the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), the Association of Real Estate Women (AREW), and Social, Economic, Environmental Design (SEED), an inter-disciplinary organization which Kim co-founded, whose mission is to advance the right of every person to live in a socially, economically and environmentally healthy community.
Kim received her B.Arch. degree from Cornell University, where she currently serves on the Dean's Advisory Council for the College of Architecture, Art and Planning. 

Marica McKeel, AIA, is an architect, designer, foodie, entrepreneur.
Marica is the founder and owner of Studio MM, pllc, an architecture firm based in New York City and focused on contemporary modern design.  Projects include urban and non-urban residences, retail and furniture design in and around NYC and Upstate New York. Currently the firm is also working on projects in Chicago, IL and Tampa, FL. 
Marica holds a Master of Architecture from Parsons School of Design and a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture from North Carolina State University. 

Who Should Attend

This episode of our series is for all architects who want to see more women represented in the architectural field.