DESIGN EXCHANGE PODCAST

Being Women in Architecture and Design: Challenges, Triumphs, and Opportunities

February 25, 2022|49 Minutes
0:00
0:00
0:00
Side-by-side headshot composite of Cheryl Dixon and Telicious Robinson
Gensler Technical Designers Cheryl Dixon and Telicious Robinson
SUMMARY

Diversity and inclusion remain pressing issues in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. While progress has been made, representation of minorities and women in leadership and design roles is still lacking. Through open dialogue and sharing experiences, professionals can better understand the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups and the ways in which the industry culture needs to evolve to become more equitable and provide a sense of belonging for everyone.

This podcast features a conversation between Gensler Technical Designers Cheryl Dixon and Telicious Robinson. Each shares her journey to becoming a licensed architect, the obstacles faced as Black women, and the importance of mentors. The discussion provides candid insights into the lack of diversity some face in educational programs and at firms and offers ideas for how to promote inclusion and support underrepresented colleagues.

GUESTS
Cheryl Dixon headshot
Cheryl Dixon
Cheryl is a Technical Designer at Gensler with a background in construction project management, architecture, and interior design. She possesses an affinity for design-build and values opportunities to connect clients with ancillary industry disciplines to bring about innovative results. She is based in Washington, D.C. Contact her at .
Telicious Robinson headshot
Telicious Robinson
Telicious is a Technical Designer for Gensler’s Health and Wellness practice. She has over 10 years of experience across diverse project types in higher education, residential, industrial, hospitality, commercial, and K-12 schools, with a primary focus on healthcare architecture. Telicious is passionate about community, diversity, and inclusion and is actively involved with NOMA as the DCNOMA 2nd Vice President. She is based in Washington, D.C. Contact her at .
 
RELATED EXPERTISE
RELATED STORIES
A man walking in a room.

Designing Empathetic Workplaces Can Be a Key Differentiator

Empathy is a required trait of healthy workplaces and communities, and a key differentiator.
July 17, 2023 | By Emer Lynam and Louise Jorden
A group of people sitting in a room with a large screen.

Why Inclusive Design Is Critical to Workplace Transformation

Designing for inclusivity has become a critical table stake in the post-pandemic workplace.
June 01, 2023 | By Susana Covarrubias
A group of people walking around a park in front of a building.

Design for Equity

Our research explores equitable and inclusive design solutions to create diverse spaces for our clients and communities around the world.
May 31, 2023
Newark Community Museum of Social Justice

What Is the Architect’s Role in Creating Equitable Communities?

Contributors of an AIA resource share how architects can bring about racially just and equitable outcomes for all members of the communities they serve.
March 07, 2023
A group of people in a room.

Why Embedding Inclusive Design From Start to Finish Is Critical

The journey towards an inclusive design outcome must start by engaging those for whom the design is intended.
February 17, 2023 | By Gail Napell, Melany Park, and Jennifer Ellis-Rosa
A group of people in a room.

Nature + Nurture in the Inclusive Workplace

As tech companies plot their partial return to the workplace, some are ready to embrace our latest challenge: How we take insights from the past two years and use them to design joyful, inclusive work environments?
January 23, 2023 | By Brian Stromquist
NOMA leadership on stage at NOMA 2022 Conference.

The National Organization of Minority Architects’ Sold-Out 2022 Conference

The conference instilled a “sense of belonging” and recognized the many achievements of its members, noted Jason Pugh, current President of NOMA and Gensler’s Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Architect Magazine
November 18, 2022
A group of people in a room.

The Resilient Workplace is Purposeful, Inclusive, and Collaborative

We polled CoreNet Global members worldwide, who told us their organization’s top priority was attracting employees back to the office. But what attracts employees to an employer or workplace has shifted.
September 19, 2022 | By Kerri Henderson
Newark Community Museum of Social Justice lobby rendering

How Architects and Designers Can Continue to Prioritize Inclusivity

Roger Smith and Lisa Cholmondeley, co-directors of Gensler’s Center for Research on Equity and the Built Environment, talk about designing for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and what lies ahead.
December 16, 2021 | By Lisa Cholmondeley, Roger Smith