Dr Ana McMillin, of the WIA Mentoring team, is hosting our third programme event focused on navigating career paths. We'd like to share stories and experiences from four incredible individuals who have navigated very interesting careers.
We have heard from many women and people of marginalised genders and communities that it is challenging to see a clear path for them. Beyond the progression from graduate to assistant and on to senior-level responsibilities and leadership , we want to explore the current realities as well as future opportunities.
Host: Dr Ana McMillin
Ana is Director of Architecture, Housing and New Neighbourhoods at Broadway Malyan. She combines an industry career of 18 years post-qualification with an academic career as Planning and Economic Geography researcher. Ana is joined by our guests:
Guest Speakers:
Yamon Phu Kyaw: Yamon is an architecture student with international roots, originally from Myanmar. After moving to the UK at the age of 17, she has completed her Bachelor of Architecture at Queen's University Belfast and has worked as a Part 1 Architectural Assistant in Northern Ireland. Beyond her professional role, Yamon is actively involved as an ambassador for the Japan-Myanmar Ambassador Program, where she advocates for the Burmese community and encourages cultural exchange.
Loreto Flores: Chilean-born Maria Loreto joined Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) in 2006 and has since worked on a diverse range of projects in Asia, Europe, Middle East and Latin America. Loreto focuses on large scale projects, providing a detailed knowledge of the inter-relationships between complex geometries design and construction, managing multi-disciplinary teams on high-profile schemes comprising masterplans, towers, expos, and convention centres. Built work includes the luxury Morpheus Hotel in Macau, China; the Seamless Pierres Vives, France, d’Leedon Residential Complex, Singapore and recently the Seamless Bridge in Hangzhou Seamless City in China.
Elisabetta Li Destri Nicosia: Elisabetta is Director of Sustainability and ESG at Amro Partners, and is responsible for implementing sustainability strategies at asset, portfolio, and corporate level. Elisabetta holds a First Class degree in Architecture and Engineering from the University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ and a Master’s degree in Building Physics and Sustainability (Distinction) from IUAV University, Venice. Over the past 15 years she has worked as an architect and sustainability expert, leading a team of sustainability consultants specialising in building performance analysis. She has developed and implemented sustainability strategies for a wide range of developments across the UK, including Build To Rent, residential, and mixed-use developments using both traditional and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) construction methods.
Stephen Lovejoy: Stephen is an urban designer in the development planning team of Edinburgh Council. He contributes to policy, provides guidance, and engages with communities on urban design, architecture, and planning. He made the move from the private to the public sector via Public Practice. He has previously worked for a developer and in private architectural practice on a range of projects, including large housing schemes, urban regeneration, and town centre recovery. Stephen also lectures in architectural history and theory at London South Bank University.
We intend for this to be a highly engaging conversation where you will walk away feeling enlightened about the possibilities for you and those around you. If you can’t make it on the day, don’t worry - register anyway and you’ll receive a recording of the workshop.
Online event access: The Zoom link will be emailed to all registered attendees ahead of the event. The Zoom lobby will open at 11.55 pm for a prompt 12.00 pm start.
Photo credit: Luca Bravo, Unsplash