REDI Speaker Series

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee (EDI) is a committee of the AIA Long Beach / South Bay

1.5 LU

Light food and beverage provided

REGISTER

The REDI Speaker Series aims to improve our practice and make it more inclusive by creating a spotlight for those who are traditionally underrepresented in our field.

Description:

This kitchen table talk is like a panel discussion but a more intimate type of conversation.  Please join us as our guest gather around a table to discuss their career paths and interactions within the AEC industry.  This conversation will be facilitated by Studio One Eleven Design Director, Phillip Trigas.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding the Importance of Diversity and Inclusion:

• Recognize the significance of diversity and inclusion in professional fields, particularly architecture or related disciplines.
• Gain insight into how diversity at leadership levels can inspire and empower underrepresented groups.

Exploring Varied Career Paths:

• Learn about the diverse career paths available within the AEC industry.
• Understand the challenges and opportunities associated with navigating professional life as a person of color or from a disadvantaged background.

Gaining Strategies for Overcoming Barriers:

• Acquire practical strategies for breaking through barriers and biases in the workplace.
• Understand how guest speakers utilized networking, mentorship, skill development, and self-advocacy to advance their careers.
• Develop proactive measures to overcome adversity and foster career progression.

Leadership and Trailblazing:

• Recognize the leadership qualities demonstrated by the guest speakers as trailblazers in their fields.
• Analyze how leadership roles and diversity can intersect to drive positive organizational change.
• Identify opportunities for personal leadership development and the potential to inspire change within one’s own organization.

About the speakers:

Rochelle Mills

As President and CEO of Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO), Rochelle Mills is responsible for implementing the nonprofit’s vision and expanding its portfolio of high-quality affordable housing. Since joining IHO in 2006, IHO’s reputation, impact, and footprint as an award-winning developer has expanded across California. She has guided the organization to living its values and positioned IHO’s culturally diverse team to compete, and win, with peers many times their size.

Brenda Walters

Brenda Walters develops innovative and creative strategies to deliver programs and build strategic relationships to support the services provided to Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO) affordable housing community residents. She develops partnerships with nonprofit, corporate, and civic groups and recruits corporate and individual volunteers to support these programs and services. Brenda joined IHO in 2020, bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit program management experience to her work and her passion as an advocate for improving programs and services meant to help people. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Marisela Fuller

Marisela Fuller currently serves as an Associate Director for IHO. She was previously a senior project manager. Her depth of experience in real estate management includes oversight of hundreds of housing units with an emphasis in special needs residents and veterans. Her vast background includes work with public agencies, supporting new and rehab construction processes as well as property leasing.

Jenny Castro

As Director of Operations, Jenny Castro supports IHO’s leadership initiatives including key administration, human resources, board-employee-corporate-governance, IT, facilities and communications. She joined IHO in 2023 after serving 14 years with Skid Row Housing Trust where she held administrative support roles, operational leadership roles and most recently project manager for Real Estate Development. Castro interned at the Food and Drug Administration Office of Regulatory Affairs through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and worked at VIP Community Mental Health Center.

Thank you to our sponsors!