The American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC) unveiled the recipients of the Academy for Emerging Professionals (AEP) Awards. The Awards recognizes those individuals and organizations that have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to emerging professionals, the AIA, and architectural profession.
Firm Mentorship Award
This award recognizes an AIACC firm that has made an extraordinary effort to mentor Emerging Professionals in their firm through the implementation of specific programs. This year's Firm Mentorship Award recipient is HDR Architecture.
The jury was impressed at the dedication HDR has shown towards emerging professionals. Creating a work environment that supports learning and mentorship is a key component of how HDR provides support for their young professionals. Through there ARE/IDP support, project tours, formal leadership training program and Young Professionals' Group HDR Architecture embodies all the key characteristics of a firm creating a culture of mentorship.
"HDR Architecture is talking the talk, and walking the walk (when it comes to helping the next generation of emerging professionals succeed)," the jury stated.
Firm Mentorship Honorable Mentions
HMC Architecture
While there is only one Firm Mentorship Award, the jury felt it was important to recognize HMC Architects, for the outstanding work they are doing to support their interns. "HMC's commitment to a broad spectrum of mentorship opportunities both short-term and long-term enhances the culture of firm mentorship."
Stantec Architecture
The jury felt it was important to also recognize Stantec Architecture for the outstanding work they are doing to support their interns. Their commitment towards Emerging Professionals through programs, socials, licensure support and professional training are all examples of nurturing the talents and interests of professionals at the early stages of their career.
Chapter Award
This award is given to an AIA chapter for the development of superb programming and fostering the highest qualities of leadership within the Emerging Professional membership. The 2012 recipient of this award is the AIA Santa Clara Valley Chapter.
AIA Santa Clara is a prime example of how local AIA Chapters, regardless of membership size, can pool resources to offer educational and networking programming to associates, students and architects licensed 10 years or less. With weekly ARE study groups, the Chapter is promoting licensure support and fostering an environment of collaboration and fellowship. The jury commends AIA Santa Clara Valley for leading by example and fostering the next generation of the profession.
Associates Award
This award is given to an Associate AIA member who best exemplifies the highest qualities of leadership and has demonstrated unparalleled commitment to his/her chapter or region's membership, in the community, professional organizations, and and/or in the design and construction industries.
This years' Associates' Award recipients are Ellyn Lester, JeNen Chastian, Rogerio Carvalheiro, and Schuyler Bartholomay.
Ellyn Lester, Assoc. AIA
The 2012 AEP Awards Jury felt that Ellyn Lester not only has done an outstanding job supporting other Emerging Professionals, but she herself has been a pivotal leader in her local community as an AIA Associate member. Her involvement in the architectural, engineering, and construction professions, shows the love and a passion Ellyn has for the built environment. Her involvement on the local AIA San Diego Board is a prime example of how Associate Members can greatly contribute to AIA Components at every level. Ellyn goes above and beyond to give back to the profession she loves. Countless students credit Ellyn for reinvigorating the AIAS Chapter at New School, as well as connecting students with mentors and mentoring them herself on their journey after academia. Ellyn advocates on the profession in every aspect of her 'volunteerism' mantra, and the profession is truly grateful.
Je'Nen Chastain, Assoc. AIA
Je'Nen Chastain is an example of how resilient and passionate associate members are in this profession. Je'Nen exemplifies all of the key qualities associate leaders poses: enthusiasm for the profession, dedication to the AIA, service to the community, and the uncanny ability to survive in a struggling economic climate. Her work with the AIA San Francisco Mentorship Committee has encouraged many other Emerging Professionals to continue on their own path to licensure regardless of their employment situations. The AIA and AIAS have not only been platforms for Je'Nen as a volunteer, but a means to stay connected to the profession she loves by engaging with peers through service and civic engagement. It is through leadership, knowledge sharing, and the ability to build connections, that the Je'Nen credits the AIA for providing her with the skills to face any challenge in her professional career.
Rogerio Carvalheiro, Assoc. AIA
The jury was thoroughly impressed with the work of Rogerio Carvalheiro. As an associate member, he has made significant contributions to the profession both through his professional involvement as well as through his design work. A Principal of his own design firm, he has completed mater planning work as well as outstanding design work. Rogerio is a very talented designer and several of his projects have received recognition, which is an amazing achievement as an Associate member. While serving as the Associate Director of his local AIA Los Angeles Chapter, Rogerio worked to improve licensure-related programming and created awareness of the talent and design sills of other associate members through a weekly associate-design-project feature on the Chapter's website. Through his design work, service to his Chapter and involvement in academia, Rogerio continues to use his experiences and talents to encourage and support other Associates on their own professional path.
Schuyler Bartholomay, Assoc. AIA
The jury recognizes Schuyler Bartholomay as an exemplary role model for associates seeking leadership opportunities at their local chapter level. Schuyler has assisted in reinvigorating her local chapter by re-thinking some of their programming. Through her work on the AIA Redwood Empire Chapter Newsletter, her volunteer time in the community, and engagement in licensure support for other emerging professionals, Schuyler has proven to be a true advocate for the profession. Her work establishing local events for National Architecture Week is a prime example of engaging the local community in design related activities. Schuyler goes above and beyond in service to her profession.
Young Architect Award
This year's Young Architect Award recipient is Gray Dougherty, AIA. This award is given to a young architect who's shown exceptional leadership and has made significant contributions to the profession in the early stages of his/her architectural career.
The jury recognized Gray Dougherty as a Young Architect that has made extraordinary contributions to the profession both in the design and service arenas. Gray has demonstrated a significant dedication to the profession through his service with the AIA California Council, the California Architectural Foundation, the AIA East Bay, UC Berkeley and the Urban Land Institute. Awards, publications, speaking and presentation events are all evidence of the impact Gray has had on his professional community. It is also through his visionary approach to firm culture and architectural practice that Gray continues to inspire emerging professionals and the next generation of leaders. Advocating for the profession in academia, in the community, in collateral organizations, and in practice itself are all examples of how Young Architects are pushing the envelope, and Gray is pushing that envelope even further. Gray is truly an inspiration to professionals at every point in their career, young and old, traditional and alternative. Gray has a passion and dedication to the profession and this organization unparalleled to others at such an early stage of their career.