What words of advice would you share with young women in their professional journeys?

To give yourself grace. We work in a field where so much of the knowledge you need to be successful comes from doing the work and gaining experience – that can only come with time. It is important to remember that, even though you don’t know everything now and may make mistakes, expertise and success will come dedictation. Do not doubt yourself while you are still begininng your journey.

Can you recall a time when you had imposter syndrome? How did you handle it?

Entering the AEC industry, especially early on, can be intimidating. There were definitely times when I felt like I wasn’t qualified enough or experienced enough to be there, especially surrounded by so many talented individuals.
Here are a few things that helped me overcome those feelings:

• • Focusing on learning and growth: I shifted my mindset from needing to know everything, to embracing the opportunity to learn and grow constantly.
  • Seeking support: I built a network of mentors and colleagues, both within and outside my company, who I could turn to for advice and encouragement.
  • Celebrating small wins: Acknowledging and celebrating my accomplishments, big or small, helped me build confidence in my abilities.

It’s important to remember that imposter syndrome is incredibly common, especially in male-dominated fields like AEC. By acknowledging it, seeking support, and focusing on growth, you can overcome these feelings and build a fulfilling career.

What are some key skills or qualities that women can cultivate to enhance their leadership capabilities?

Historically leadership skills were usually associated with qualities that are primarily associated as “Masculine” traits; Confidence, Assertiveness, Independence. Although I agree that its important to possesses some aspect of these “masculine” traits for women to enhance their leadership capabilities, I have actually found that embracing “feminine” strengths and leveraging them to provide a different perspective has been significantly empowering. Loyalty for relationship building, Intuition to gauge a clients needs or an end uses experience within a proposed space, Collaboration to bring a team together. Additionally, Motherhood brings another level of skills that enhance a women’s ability for mulit-tasking, prioritization, and delegation. Women as essential in leadership positions.

How do you stay informed about advancements in your industry and ensure continuous professional development?

I stay informed through local networking groups like CREW CT, IIDA, CoreNET, and PWC who offer informative topics of discussion, CEUs and networking opportunities with other women in our industry.