Beyond Architecture: A Panel Discussion on Alternate Career Paths
Panelists will discuss and explore their diverse paths through their architectural education / background. This session focuses on the multitude of opportunities for a professional in non conventional settings like politics, fabrication, and being a client representative through real time experiences of the panelists. The discussion will emphasize the importance of mentorship, diversity of roles, sharing resources among a robust network, and strategies for growth.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES | CEU's (1.5 LU Pending Approval)
Compare alternate career paths in the industry through professional experiences of a diverse set of panelists as an example.
Explain the importance of learning, adaptability and diversity of roles in a professional context.
Identify sharing resources among a robust network of other Industry Professionals.
Share key strategies for sustainable growth of diverse roles within the profession.
MEETING SCHEDULE
6:00 pm Refreshments
6:45 pm Program
8:00 pm Networking
SPEAKERS
MANI FARHADI | MODERATOR
MANI FARHADI | MODERATOR
A creative thought leader, Mani Ardalan Farhadi’s experience spans 30+ years of strategizing for learning environments. As Senior Facilities Planner at Stanford University School of Medicine, in OFPM (Office of Facilities Planning and Management), Mani combines her passion for education with extensive planning skills to develop design ideas and solutions for research space. Using strategic thinking and consensus-building, she is integral to campus planning, having collaborated with public and private institutions from K-12 to Higher Education.
Mani’s volunteer leadership roles include: WIA (Women in Architecture) AIA Silicon Valley mentor; Co-founder of BIBI (Banous in Building Industry) for Iranian-American women; DEI Officer for Wellesley College Alumnae Class; Advisory Board of NICA (Niosha International Conservatory of Arts); Board Member of Institute for Traditional Psychoethics and Guidance; former Board of Trustee (Los Gatos Union School District); and Chair of Bond Oversight Committee (receiving ‘Citizen Architect’ award).
She has served as moderator, juror, panelist, speaker, and docent at professional workshops and conferences, such as Learning by Design, SF Design Week, GenARTS, SCUP, EQxD, WLS, WIA, AIA, CCFC, CCLC, A4LE, SPUR, Wellesley and Mills College; with topics ranging from Career-Building to Inclusivity and Intersectionality. A graduate of Wellesley College (B.A. Arch) and Boston Architectural College (B.Arch), Mani has supplemented her formal education with training at Stanford LEAP and Supervisory Academy, MIG (Management in Governance), SCUP Planning Institute, and Leadership Los Gatos.
ELIZABETH GIBBONS | POLITICS
Elizabeth “Liz” Gibbons, AIA, LEED AP, 2018-19 AIA Strategic Counselor At-Large, has held arrange of roles during her career as an architect. Elected to the Campbell, California (population 42,000) city council in 2014 and 2018, Liz served as mayor in 2017 and 2021. She participated at the A’18 Conference where she moderated the panel “How to House the Next 10,000 in your Neighborhood.” In March of 2019, Liz participated in the AIACA Housing Forum asking if architectural IDEATION, INNOVATION and IMPLEMENTATION can address housing attainability for all? As a Strategic Counselor At-Large, Liz participated in the “Re-establishing the Role of City Architect” and contributed to the AIA Strategic Council workgroup on “The Next Big Thing” including the AIA Climate Action Plan.
Liz’s passion is to connect and leverage the profession of architecture with elected office to address the issues of today and prepare for tomorrow. Liz got her start in politics as a Campbell Planning Commissioner, serving for 17 years. Between 2016 and 2022, Liz was an appointed representative for Santa Clara County cities to the Association of Bay Area Governments which is engaged in state housing legislation and greenhouse gas reduction. Liz was the 2022 Chair of Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) which provides 100% carbon-free power to Santa Clara County cities. SVCE (https://www.svcleanenergy.org) has reduced GHG emission by 35% from 2015 levels. Even with the impact of ‘clean power’ (not ‘clean’ natural gas) solidly in place, SVCE is keenly aware it is not enough to save our planet. While architects work to decarbonize materials and design to net zero, SVCE has a three-pronged decarbonization Strategic Plan: Power supply; Mobility; Built Environment which collaborate into Energy Efficiency and Grid Integration. Liz completed her two terms as an elected official in Campbell in December 2022, serving as Mayor in 2017 and 2021.
KOW KAO | FABRICATION
Born and raised in Taiwan. Kow is an artist, and designer. She currently works as a designer and project manager at a San Francisco based custom fabrication shop, One Hat One Hand. Trained as an architect with a solid hands-on experience, her work seeks to create a seamless transition from concept drawing to realization to fabrication and install.
HAYLEY SODERLUND MACKO | CONSTRUCTION
Hayley Soderlund Macko is Principal, San Francisco Office Head, and Head of People at GCI General Contractors. An Architectural Engineering major, she’s been in the industry for 15 years and worked at GCI since 2013. As a member of the core executive team, she drives large-scale strategic company initiatives while overseeing some of GCI’s most complex and technical projects. Hayley is an out-of-the-box thinker and loves to challenge perspectives and reinvent the way things are done. In her free time, you’ll find her exploring Marin with her two kids, biking, or hitting the slopes.
LETICIA SOOHOO | CLIENT
Leticia SooHoo is a project management professional, licensed architect, green building advocate and mentor in the AEC industry. With 20+ years of experience, she been involved in many green building projects and various projects of complexity and innovation.
Currentlly, Leticia is an owner representative / senior project manager at CBRE @ Google, responsible for procuring and executing commercial design and construction projects. Her higher goal is to optimize owner-architect-builder process to ensure the best project outcome and build lasting relationships, and continue to advocate the importance of sustainable built environments.
Leticia is also an avid educator and speaker. She has taught at university level and spoken at conferences and webinars, and provided training in green building and sustainability in colleges and corporations.