Women are a vital asset to every aspect of our design-led firm. At Page, in all stages of career development, women bring creative ideas, purpose-driven energy, and innovative thought leadership that contribute immeasurably to our success.
This Women’s History Month, we shine a light on women who advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion – a theme that celebrates those who are passionate about advancing gender equity in both everyday life and professional environments. Since women first entered the workforce in the early 1900s, their contributions have grown exponentially. In conversation with three women in various roles at Page, we learn unique perspectives on how we can continue to support women in AEC and help shape the next generations of female leadership.
Phuong Nguyen, Lead Experiential Graphics Designer
Early in your career, what did others do to create a sense of belonging or make you feel included?
Mine wasn’t a direct path to design. A female CEO gave me a chance based on my passion, smarts, and hard work. It’s especially meaningful when this recognition comes from another accomplished woman. I’ve enjoyed that sisterhood of raising each other up, providing mentorship, and sharing your knowledge and experience to help others grow in their careers.
How can AEC firms better support women to ensure they have equal opportunities for growth and leadership?
It takes an active and intentional action as a firm to say, “This is something we want to do.” Firms can provide resources and training programs specifically tailored to support women in design. There’s strength in embracing a diversity of ideas and thoughts, and creating environments where women feel comfortable to share ideas and collaborate.
Dominique Change, Office Manager
What organizations or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) community efforts are you involved in?
I’m part of an African American sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. We feed those experiencing homelessness, participate in food drives, volunteer at nursing homes, and host brunches for mothers and daughters to feel special. As a minority, you sometimes wonder just how much you are really included, so you end up looking outside of work for your community where you know you are understood. Groups like our Page Community Groups give you a place of connection in the workplace and help strengthen a sense of community.
What do young professional women look for when deciding where to build a career in AEC?
They want to know about the culture of an organization. Culture is very important for women. You want to be part of something bigger than just your job function. You want to participate in the life of the firm. At Page, I’m treated as an equal – not as a woman, but as a fully equal partner.
Wendy Dunnam Tita, Chief Practice Officer
What advice do you have for women seeking AEC opportunities and leadership roles?
Key ingredients to opening doors for yourself are to be curious, proactive, and hardworking. One other absolutely critical ingredient is being able to communicate effectively on almost any topic, in a large group setting. Not everyone naturally does this well. There are many ways to get that kind of training and experience; this is an excellent personal investment that will pay off.
What do you hope to see for the next generation of women in the industry?
What I’m going to say is hugely optimistic, and we aren’t close to this yet: I’d like to see zero need for a women’s table. The industry is doing what it needs at this moment in our evolution in equity and equality, by highlighting and recognizing women’s accomplishments, but I would love it if the next time I see any panel of speakers and thought leaders, we see the diversity of talented people in our population. We don’t have to create a separate “women’s panel” to recognize our expertise – it’s just there.
