To our Friends of WIA,

As we embark on this new year we do so with reflectance of our past, and hope for our future. Two questions we are often asked are: “What is the status of women architects in Utah?” and “Why is WIA still necessary?” It is true there have been positive strides in categories like the rise in the number of women getting degrees in architecture, better pass rates for licensure, and quicker speed at getting licensed. We celebrate those successes! However, we are still a long way from a profession that more accurately reflects the communities that we serve. Women make up roughly 25% of licensed architects in our State. If our incoming licensees are nearly 50% female every year from here forward, it would still take over 40 years to meet parity! This knowledge drives our commitment and the work of Women In Architecture will continue to serve our community now and into our future.

2022 in Retrospect

2022 was a milestone year for Women In Architecture as we celebrated our ten year anniversary. We are so proud of what we have been able to accomplish in the past ten years, and it is in great part to all of you! A sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you for participating, donating and supporting our efforts. 2022 has been our highest fundraising year ever, and more importantly, our greatest reach in supporting the women in our architectural community! This year we have facilitated:

Over 29 NCARB Exam fees awarded to licensing candidates
13 material scholarships awarded to G1 and 3+ women students in the University of Utah Graduate School of Architecture
Access to ARE study materials through the WIA Black Spectacles account currently serving 48 women
2 women sponsored to attend the national AIA Women’s Leadership Summit
Naming the 2022 Leader of the Year: Ann Bennion Robinson, and the 2022 Architect of the Year: Julia Oderda.Congratulations to both amazing women!

Our heartfelt gratitude to our WIA Ambassadors Circle members: Greta Anderson, Celestia Carson, Christina Haas, Libby Haslam, Jeanne Jackson, Jill Jones, Peggy McDonough, Valerie Nagasawa, Annie Schwemmer, and Whitney Ward. This important group helps guide the efforts of WIA, serves as community ambassadors, and supports mentoring to our community. (Membership is annual. For more information on this group please reach out.)

Special thanks to Naheyla Medina, winner of the 2022 graphics competition who has been providing the amazing graphics this year, and to Mallory Platt for her ongoing Partini management and coordination.

Highlights of 2022 included fantastic events, each supporting our mission. Thank you to all those who attended and sponsored these events!
Mentoring Event (February)
Women’s Month Socials and a Fighting Period Poverty Fundraiser (March)
Family Event: Tracy Aviary (June)
WIA Partini (August)
WIA + Hogan Construction Golf Clinic (Sept)
University of Utah G1 Scholarship lunch (October)

10 Years of WIA

2022 marked 10 years of WIA! We’ve had so much success over the years thanks to the incredible support of our amazing community. Take a brief walk-through the years with us.

Gallery featuring local women architects @ Atlas Architects

Original WIA Board - Greta Anderson, Celestia Carson, Christina Haas, Sooonju Kwon, Libby Haslam

Bedouin Booth - Spice Kitchen Booth Design + Build Competition - Ashley Iordanov, Kristi Faught, Xiomara Salazar, Anya Barmina - Soonju Kwon (competition lead)

Speed Mentoring Session & Salt Lake City Public Library

Initiation of the Firm of the Year Award.

PechaKucha @ The State Room - Cory Gardiner (Zions Bank)

Professional Panel @ University of Utah - Joe Jacoby (moderator), Cindy Bithell, Elizabeth Poulsen, Jill Jones

Scholarship Luncheon @ University of Utah

2020 Board - Zahra Hassanipour, Jessica Batty, Celestia Carson, Ashley Iordanov, Sophia Malik

Professional Panel @ University of Utah - Jessica Chappell (moderator), Peggy McDonough, Hannah Vaughn, Julia Oderda, Valerie Nagasawa

Some of our incredible Ambassador’s Circle members - Peggy McDonough, Valerie Nagasawa, Libby Haslam, Celestia Carson, Jeanne Jackson, Whitney Ward, Annie Schwemmer

Women’s Leadership Summit - Silicone Valley

Our first graphic design competition winner Naheyla Medina

2023 Look Ahead

We are incredibly proud of all the work we have accomplished in 2022 and commit to continue our support and advocacy for women architecture students, licensing candidates and architectural professionals. Please continue to join us on this journey as we all work together towards a better and more equitable future for the architectural profession. We have a number of events/efforts planned for this year including:

2023 WIA + NOMA New Year Social (Jan 12th)
Mentoring Event (February 21st)
Expanding Your Horizon’s – middle school girls STEM Event (March)
Women’s Month Socials (March)
WIA PechaKucha (TBA)
University of Utah Panel Discussion (April)
Summer Social (June/July or TBA)
2023 Partini (August)
WIA + Hogan Construction Site Visit Series (TBA)

We will also continue providing ARE Exam fee scholarships through the NCARB Lottery, as well as free access to exam study materials through Black Spectacles.

Call for Volunteers:
We can’t do it alone! We are seeking volunteers to serve on the following taskforces and committees.
Please email us if you are interested in participating:

EYH (Expanding Your Horizons) March 18th – We need 3-5 women ASAP to organize and run three workshops for 6th-10th grade girls. The event runs from 7:30am – 2pm and is located at SLCC. AXP hours available to licensing candidates. Reach out if you are interested in participating or want more information.

Partini Planning – The popularity of the Partini has grown and we need your help! We are looking to assemble a committee of 6 to plan and manage our August event.

Communication – We need help managing our Website and Social Media. This will primarily include content generation for both platforms.

Finally, everyone can support WIA in our efforts toward a more equitable profession through awareness and commitment.

Thank you and here’s to a productive and equitable 2023!
Women in Architecture, SLC Board of Directors

Celestia Carson
Ashley Iordanov (outgoing)
Sophia Malik
Jinnie Lee
Erin Carraher
Jen Dalley (incoming)

To our generous sponsors/donors, we love you! We could not do it without you.

WIA - 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY - RETROSPECT & LOOKING FORWARD

To our Friends of WIA,

2022 in Retrospect

10 Years of WIA

2023 Look Ahead

A big thank you to our 2024 Partini sponsors!