September 10, AIA Diversity and Inclusiveness Discussion Group Diversity Recognition Program. Re: Introduction letter. Selected Jury Members,

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1 September 10, 2008 AIA Diversity and Inclusiveness Discussion Group Diversity Recognition Program Re: Introduction letter Selected Jury Members, We would like to submit our committee, Women in Design, for your consideration in the Diversity Recognition Program. Women in Design Denver began in 2005 with a self-initiated movement led by Cheryl Bicknell, Assoc. AIA, Martha Bennett, AIA, and Peggy Kingsey, AIA to bring women together in the design profession. WID strives for a diversity of members in all facets of design, including landscape architecture, engineering, construction, architecture, interior design, environmental design, and other related fields. Through the committee we are able to contribute to the design community through networking, outreach, and professional development. We ve established a website where we list our mission statement, the contact information of our steering committee, offer a forum for discussion, and list past and upcoming events. Individuals Submitting: Geneva Kowalski Co-chair of Women in Design and Chair of Programs The Lawrence Group Architects 2399 Blake Street Suite 100 Denver, CO Phone: x4232 Cell: Cheryl Bicknell Past Chair of Women in Design and Founder One Park Central Suite Arapahoe Street Denver, CO Phone: Thank You. Sincerely, Geneva Kowalski & Cheryl Bicknell

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13 Women in Design began as a collaborative effort between three women. Two of whom had weathered the architectural profession with grace. One who was feeling a bit alienated by the lack of diversity both gender and ethnic. All felt the need to encourage women at a variety of stages of their careers. Denver s Women in Design (WID) was born. The decision was made to open the group to more women than just architects and architectural interns. The issues of concern could cross the spectrum of women in the building construction industry. It was understood that, if there was interest, a group could be formed of all professions and work to promote and encourage women. The first meeting 3 years ago drew women from engineering, architecture, and interior design. Women serving on the steering committee to plan programs have been representative of the careers of those who attended the first meeting. The issues are similar amongst the group. These include but are not limited to work/life balance. Networking within an organization and meeting professional obligations of continuing education when family and parenting responsibilities filled most of the off-work-hours schedule. The numbers of women in the profession were not approaching the numbers graduating from universities. The steering committee s challenges were creating strategies for the ways to support this group s professional careers and personal needs while making the organization dynamic and fun. This submittal demonstrates the variety of activities that Women in Design organizes and AIA Denver sponsors. The types of events held depend fully on the women on the steering committee and their own interests. They are a mix of social, community service and professional activities. Each activity hopes to contribute something to our own enjoyment and give something of value to those who participate and are served. In creating diversity and a program that differs from those traditionally offered within the AIA, there have been controversies. While it is important to focus on the benefits of the group, it is important to also understand that the steering committee is always aware of the barriers they meet in serving the traditionally underserved. In the beginning WID was an independent group of women. It was not a part of the AIA but of great benefit to them. Martha Bennett, AIA Denver President at the time, encouraged WID to become a part of AIA. The discussions focused on how to continue to recruit women who were not architects if AIA Denver became our sole sponsor. Would the rules change for us so some independence could be maintained and women would feel free and encouraged to join the group and participate in activities, no strings attached? Complaints were raised about the type of activities WID was planning. A book group that reads pleasure books and not hard core business texts or design manuscripts by well-known architects was not considered by some to be a part of the mission. WID persevered and continues to push for non-traditional ways of including women in networking and professional activities. Service to the community is another important aspect of the group and is a constant topic of conversation. WID has offered volunteer activities with Habitat for Humanity, participated in Colorado Uplift Fairs to recruit women and girls into the professions, planted trees in an area park, and volunteered during Metro Volunteer Denver Day of Impact at a local women s shelter. WID continues to look for ways to reach out to the community to let area women and girls know that there is a place for them all building construction and the associated design fields and the AIA. The future is bright for the WID group. Still in its infancy, it continues to reach more women and work towards encouraging women to strive for their goals within their chosen professions. WID continues to attract a more and more diverse steering committee of women from architecture and the allied professions. WID still seeks to sponsor non-conventional events for the non-conventional AIA member. WID continues to break barriers that have kept women in traditional roles in their professions and their communities. Women in Design hopes to continue it s support of the AIA along with their support to meet the varied needs of every woman in the building construction industry.

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15 G K ENEVA OWALSKI 898 S. VINE ST. DENVER, CO geneva.kowalski@gmail.com EDUCATION MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE MASTER OF URBAN DESIGN UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT DENVER GRADUATION: DECEMBER 2006 GPA BACHELOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN ARCHITECTURE EMPHASIS WITH SPECIAL HONORS UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER GRADUATION: MAY 2005 GPA EMPLOYMENT THE LAWRENCE GROUP ARCHITECTS DENVER, CO JUNE 2005 TO PRESENT DESIGNER / PROJECT MANAGER UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER, CO AUGUST 2007 TO MAY 2008 PART TIME FACULTY COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WOMEN IN DESIGN AIA COMMITTEE FALL 2004 TO PRESENT PRET-A-PORTER IIDA ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER SPRING SD, DD, CD PACKAGES IN AUTODESK -DIGITAL IMAGES, 3D IN SKETCH UP WITH PHOTOSHOP / ILLUSTRATOR -SITE PLANS, MASTER PLANS -CODE RESEARCH -GRAPHIC DESIGN -SELECTED PROJECT EXPERIENCE: LOWENSTIEN THEATER, TATTERED COVER (DENVER, CO) COLORADO SADDLERY BUILDING (DENVER, CO) THE VILLA AT MISSION SAN LUIS REY (OCEANSIDE, CA) SENIOR LIVING, SHIPPING CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION COLORADO COMMONS (DENVER, CO) AFFORDABLE HOUSING, 16TH AND COLORADO BLVD. LO HI LOFTS (DENVER, CO) PROJECT MANAGER RENOVATION OF 23 STUDIO UNIT BUILDING INTO 12 CONDO UNITS -TAUGHT A SECTION OF ENVD 3310, SECOND ARCHITECTURAL STUDIO -6 CREDIT HOURS -15 STUDENTS PER SECTION -FOCUS ON BUILDING WITHIN AN URBAN SITE AND PROGRAM -FALL 2007: FINAL PROJECT: FIREHOUSE ON CANYON AND 10TH BOULDER, CO EMPHASIS ON PROGRAMMING -SPRING 2008: FINAL PROJECT RESTAURANT ON PEARL AND 8TH BOULDER, CO EMPHASIS ON BOULDER HISTORIC DOWNTOWN GUIDELINES AND PROGRAMMING -CO CHAIR: SUMMER 2007 TO PRESENT ORGANIZE MONTHLY MEETINGS ATTEND AIA BOARD MEETINGS / YEARLY RETREAT -CHAIR OF LARGE PROGRAMS: 2006 TO PRESENT ORGANIZE / COORDINATE LARGE EVENTS HOW TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER OCTOBER 2006 DENVER URBAN SPACES 8X8 APRIL 2007 SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTS TRIPLE EXPO OCTOBER 2007 SEARCHING FOR INSPIRATION APRIL CREATEDA GARMENT FROM MANNINGTON COMMERCIAL CARPET MATERIAL, KNIT WITH THE UNDYED CARPET -MODEL THE DRESS IN THE SHOW SKILLS COMPUTER PROGRAMS: AUTODESK ADT 2006/2004. AUTODESK IMPRESSION. ADOBE PHOTOSHOP, ILLUSTRATOR, INDESIGN, PREMIER. SKETCHUP. 3D STUDIO MAX 7 (INTO LEVEL). REVIT (INTO LEVEL). MICROSOFT WORD, EXCEL, OUTLOOK, POWER POINT. TRADITIONAL DESIGN TOOLS: HAND DRAFTING WITH LEAD AND INK, WATERCOLOR RENDERING, COLORED PENCIL AND MARKER RENDERING, GRAPHITE RENDERING. CHALK PASTELS. ANALYTICAL WRITING AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH EXPERIENCE.