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The trailblazing women of inclusivity: Lessons learned when starting a (J)E.D.I. Program
Above: (Left to right) Pascale Sablan, Yiselle Santos Rivera, Rosa Sheng: The trailblazing women of inclusivity
Architecture is unique because it is a field that affects nearly every person on the planet. Just as no two sites are the same, no two communities are the same because they all have an exceptional multiplicity of culture, history, and people. Therefore, the practice of architecture needs to represent the diverse nature of those it designs for. Early in 2021, Gabrielle Bullock, FAIA, and Bill Schmalz, FAIA, of Perkins&Will, in conjunction with the AIA, developed “Creating a Culture of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for your Architectural Practice” as a guide to best practices for creating, implementing, and designing diversity programs for firms in the United States. While this guide is a strong representation for those looking to build a diverse network, three notable women have been making waves for over a decade, and through their words of wisdom, architects and designers can learn how to start or strengthen their justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts in their communities and firms. These notable women of change and inspiration are Pascale Sablan, Yiselle Santos Rivera, and Rosa Sheng.
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Pascale Sablan, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP, is an associate at Adjaye Associates and the founder and executive director of Beyond the Built Environment, which addresses the gaps in the architectural profession with a strategy of engaging, elevating, educating, and collaborating. Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, NOMA, LSSYB, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, is the director of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at HKS Inc. and the founder of Women Inspire Emerging Leaders in Design (WIELD) as a platform for visibility and engagement through the lens of EDI. Rosa Sheng, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a principal, Higher Education Studio leader, and the director of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at SmithGroup. She also founded Equity by Design, formally known as The Missing 32 Percent, which catalyzed a national conversation on achieving equity practice in architecture.
