We are looking forward to joining AIA Virginia for Architecture Exchange East on November 3rd. Rosa Sheng, AIA, LEED AP BD+C will be presenting the opening Keynote on 11/3 at this year's conference at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Join Rosa Sheng, AIA, as she discusses how equitable practice has the potential to foster success on multiple levels - equity in the workplace, and socially just access to basic resources, healthier communities and resilient public space in our urban centers. The value proposition of equity at all these levels is rooted in empathy, transparency, education, collaboration and trust. The lack of equity in Architectural practice and allied professions has made Architects prone to lose talent to other more lucrative career paths due to factors that challenge retention; long hours, low pay, work that is misaligned with professional goals, and lack of transparency for promotion and compensation. In order to achieve equity in the built environment, the design workforce needs to diversify to reflect the rapidly changing demographic of people that we are charged to serve. Architecture is also prone to the public not fully understanding the value or potential of what Architects can bring to the table. In terms of social impact, design has the power to inform more equitable, resilient, sustainable and relevant built environments for the increasingly multicultural population of our nation.

Thursday Keynote: Why Equity (in Practice) Matters – Rosa Sheng, AIA (AE16OK)