In Short:
- The AIA Women’s Leadership Summit highlighted the importance of bold ideas, authentic leadership, and supporting growth in the AEC industry.
- Keynote speaker Vernice “Flygirl” Armour inspired action, emphasizing alignment with values and staying focused on purpose.
- Panels stressed collaboration, trust, and leveraging diverse experiences to drive meaningful innovation and inclusivity.
In November 2025, Sally Cohen, Director of Design at ConstructConnect, and I had the privilege of attending the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit in Atlanta, representing ConstructConnect. Over three days, we joined hundreds of women from the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry to connect, learn, and grow.
While neither of us are architects, we are women working in the construction industry. The event reminded us how much we share across roles—advocating for bold ideas, showing up authentically, and supporting each other’s growth.
What Was One of the Most Inspiring Moments?
One of the most inspiring moments came from Vernice “Flygirl” Armour, the first Black female combat pilot. Her keynote challenged us to take action, bluntly saying, “Gutsy moves without action are just gutsy thoughts.”
Armour’s message was clear: it’s easy to have bold ideas, but the real work happens when we act on them. She encouraged us to align our work with our values and stay focused on what matters.
One of her most powerful questions stayed with me: “What’s at stake when you take your focus off of why you are here?” As women in a male-dominated industry, it’s easy to get caught up in proving ourselves or navigating politics. But when we stay anchored to our purpose—serving users, solving problems, creating better outcomes—we do our best work.
Where Do the Best Ideas Come From?
Another highlight was the Design for Impact panel, which offered insights that resonated deeply with our work as product designers. Dr. Alyssa Provencio emphasized leading with an assets-based mindset, not a deficit-based mindset—focusing on what communities have to offer rather than what they lack. This shift from problem-solving to partnership applies whether you’re designing buildings or software.
The panel reminded us that “the best ideas can come from anyone at the table” and to “treat lived experience as data.” They reinforced that adaptation comes at the speed of trust, and that building strong relationships with users and teams is essential for meaningful innovation.
Looking Ahead
The all-women environment was transformative. Vulnerability and emotional honesty were celebrated, not dismissed. AIA President Evelyn Lee, FAIA, told the audience, “Emotion doesn’t weaken leadership; it deepens it.”
The openness of the event created space for reflection—both on the industry we serve and how we can grow as a company. From sustainability to inclusivity, there’s important work ahead, and I’m proud ConstructConnect is part of the conversation.
The summit reminded me that when we share what we learn and support each other’s development, everyone benefits. Let’s keep lifting each other as we climb.
