Join us as we celebrate the close of this year’s mentoring programme with an evening dedicated to reflection, recognition, and rising into what’s next.
This event will showcase the incredible mentors and mentees who have shaped the programme—spotlighting voices that are often unseen and celebrating those who have invested time and care into both their own growth and the development of others.
At the heart of the evening is our panel event, Reflect and Rise – an honest and energising conversation exploring the impact of mentorship, the challenges faced along the way, and the personal and professional transformations that have emerged. Expect insight, inspiration, and some beautifully real stories.
There’ll also be plenty of time to connect, socialise, and raise a glass with fellow attendees—drinks and nibbles will be provided.
The event is open to everyone, but priority will be given to those involved in this year’s programme.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
Panelists:
Yuki Sumner, British Japanese writer, curator & consultant, championing inclusive design and WIA Mentor
Alessandra Donato, Studio Manager at Stride Treglown and WIA Mentee
Anna Rowell, Principal Programme Manager - Infrastructure Delivery at GLA and WIA Mentee
Lakshmi Sai Prakashini Rajaeswar, Lead Interior Designer at Design 121 and WIA Mentee
Tendy St Francis, Project Architect, CHQ Architects and WIA Mentor
WIA Hosts:
Eleni Stathi, WIA Mentoring Team and Architect, HTA
Karen Fugle, WIA Mentoring Team and Leadership Coach, SleepingGiant Consulting
Venue Sponsor:
Davison Highley - At Davison Highley, we manufacture superb quality, British designed, contemporary furniture solutions, where clients can sit confident in the knowledge that they have been crafted under the most sustainable and ethical processes, right here in the UK! Whether choosing from our standard collection, or requiring a bespoke, tailor-made solution, clients can be reassured that their products have been created with the utmost care & accuracy
Tickets:
Student £5
Professionals £10
Photography and Filming
This event will be photographed. Please note that we take your attendance as consent to appear in photos.
Inclusion, Accessability and Event Access
This event is designed to be inclusive and equitable, welcoming individuals of all gender identities, those from underrepresented and marginalised communities, and individuals with disabilities. Please note that any form of discrimination will not be tolerated and individuals engaging in such behaviour will be asked to leave.
Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs, require any adjustments or have any questions at hello@wia-uk.org. We will do our best to work with the venue to put effective adjustments in place.
Get to know the inspiring guest speakers for our WIA UK Mentoring Programme Celebration:
Yuki Sumner is a London-based writer, researcher, curator. In 2023, she represented Japan for London Design Biennale and curated a show called Future is rural. Subsequently, she founded The Future Rural Collective to promote and connect artists, architects and designers working in rural areas. Later in the same year, she led a day-long symposium entitled “Future Rural: Casting a non-Western gaze on the Rural-Urban Dichotomy” at Architectural Association. Yuki contributes to magazines and newspapers worldwide. She is author of New Architecture in Japan, published Merrell in 2010. She has a BA in Fine Art from Central St Martins, an MA in Architectural History and Theory from UCL Bartlett.
Alessandra Donato
Alessandra Donato, a Studio Manager at Stride Treglown Bristol branch, focuses on supporting the Desing Teams with project administration and finance showcasing her recognised resourceful approach. Aless loves to explore the English countryside on horseback and sometimes customising her own clothes just for the fun of it.
Anna is a Principal Programme Officer at the Greater London Authority, where she brings people together to coordinate infrastructure delivery and drive forward a more resilient London. With a background spanning architecture, transport, and strategic planning, she’s passionate about building the kinds of collaborative, inclusive infrastructure cities need to thrive. Her career has focused on the public sector and on growth that delivers for both people and the planet, and she’s now preparing to start a PhD exploring how integrated approaches to housing, energy, and mobility can accelerate a transition to net zero.
Outside of work, Anna is a trustee with Planning Aid for London, a board member of a local community interest company, and a reservist in the Royal Engineers. She’s a big believer in mentoring and creating space for more diverse voices in shaping the future of our cities.
Lakshmi Sai Prakashini Rajaeswar
Lakhsmi is an architect from India, with a master's in urban designer from the University of Sheffield. She currently freelances as a designer in London in interiors and has worked on Residential and Hospitality projects.
Tendy St. Francis is a UK-born Zimbabwean Project Architect based in Hertfordshire, working with CHQ Group across both CHQ and DMWR Architects. Her experience focuses on leading RIBA Stages 4 and 5 on a wide range of projects, including high-rise and mid-density residential developments, commercial schemes, and cladding remediation work. She has also contributed to PFI school projects, leisure facilities, and high-end private residential design.
Tendy studied at the Kent Institute of Art and Design, UEL, and UCL Bartlett, with a background spanning interiors, architecture, and alternative urban design. She is the co-founder of Sainted Roots, a not-for-profit organisation supporting sustainable development through community-led initiatives in rural Zimbabwe. This year, she mentored two emerging designers as part of the Women in Architecture Mentoring Programme.