Alicia Heinsen
Becker Raab
Ben Poulin
Beth Emig
Jason Chmura
Jessica Mangin
Kyle Rendall
Matthew McChesney
Mayva Donnon
Merilee Meacock
Michael Shatken
Petar Mattioni
Scot Murdoch
Building Futures | Women in Design and Construction is a program envisioned by the Eastern Pennsylvania Affiliate chapter of the national ACE Mentor Program in partnership with CREW Philadelphia and Girls, Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey designed to inspire, encourage, engage, and enlighten female high school students to pursue careers in architecture, construction, and engineering fields.
Mentors from several firms and organizations, led by KSS Architects and JKRP Architects, will meet weekly with a group of twenty young women from various high schools in the Philadelphia area. Over the 26-week program, students will be exposed to real-world projects, visit construction sites, and shadow their mentors. “We’ve developed a curriculum that will teach students to think critically, respond creatively, and speak confidently about their ideas and abilities. Aside from teaching them the basics of drawing & design, we will be equipping the students with presentation skills that they can use to feel poised and empowered in any career they pursue,” says Christina Marconi, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Associate at KSS Architects.
This initiative strives to illuminate the importance of women in architecture, construction and design firms and bridge the gender gap within ACE fields. ACE Mentor Program Eastern Pennsylvania Affiliate Director Tiffany Millner, AIA, NOMA says, “The opportunity to collaborate on a program that reaches young women and engages them with successful women in real estate and related professions supports and enhances the ACE program mission. We look forward to Building Futures together.”
Thanks to all the individuals and organizations that are empowering this initiative. Read more about this new initiative here:
ACE Mentor Eastern PA, Newsletter “Building Futures Together”
Background
For years, KSS employees have committed their time to mentoring with ACE. To support ACE’s mission of engaging, exciting, and enlightening students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction, KSS employees serve as practicing professionals to inspire the new generation. Being part of the ACE Mentor Program is one of KSS’s avenues to creating community impact, supporting young professional growth, and spreading the passion of architecture (and the entire A/E/C industry). KSS is grateful for the opportunity to continue enacting positive change in our local neighborhoods.