2020 Conference Agenda

Conference begins: 12PM EST, 11AM CST, 10AM MST, 9AM PST

WELCOME INTRODUCTION

Opening Keynote

"Like a Girl" — Confronting Gender Bias

Did you know according to the Harvard Implicit Bias test, 52% of respondents has a strong automatic association of "Male with Science" and "Female with Liberal Arts"? For women in STEM careers, such as construction, engineering and architecture this means we face an uphill climb. Learn how society shapes unconscious bias, how to identify the common biases women face and ways to mitigate their impact on your career.

Roundtable Discussion

A. Leading through disruption
B. Negotiation tactics and training
C. Planning for 2021
D. Personal brand and career planning

Introduced and moderated by some of the most knowledgeable women in the industry, these fast-paced roundtable discussions will give you the opportunity to ask questions, learn best practices and share your ideas with your peers.

TALK + WORKSHOP

Negotiation Tactics and Training

We negotiate every day. We negotiate so many things–our job offers, promotions, contracts, working with others, our seat on a Southwest Airlines flight! However, many women still feel uncomfortable in their negotiation skills. Not only do many feel uncomfortable, there are studies and statistics that show that men out-negotiate women at least in some regard as seen in the gender pay gap. This interactive workshop will focus on the 4 Step Plan to Negotiation (Assess, Plan, Ask, Package), and will walk each participant through negotiation scenarios.

BREAK + MEET THE SPONSORS

Roundtable Discussion

A. Leading through disruption
B. Negotiation tactics and training
C. Planning for 2021
D. Personal brand and career planning

Introduced and moderated by some of the most knowledgeable women in the industry, these fast-paced roundtable discussions will give you the opportunity to ask questions, learn best practices and share your ideas with your peers.

TALK + WORKSHOP

How To Create and Disseminate Your Personal Brand

Leaders in the AEC industry are not only winning accolades for completing the biggest and best projects. These days, the top movers and shakers are selling big ideas. Instead of talking about her latest multifamily residential building, good leaders are talking about the future of housing. Instead of touting her most recent hospital, good leaders are talking about the patient experience. It's up to you to raise the conversation beyond your fees and services. Instead, start talking about your value and your promise that you can overcome your clients' challenges and meet their goals. That's why thought leadership is so critical for AEC firms: it gives you the opportunity to forefront your vision, expertise, and knowledge in ways that put you ahead of the proverbial pack. Co-presenters Tami Hausman and Cathy Sewell will show you how to create and disseminate your personal brand that can take you from satisfactory to sensational using proven methods and a broad strategy for building your reputation, such as: writing about relevant topics for print and online publications, leveraging social media to bring you increased visibility, speaking at conferences, organizing panel discussions, participating in professional organizations, and networking.

TALK + WORKSHOP

The Journey to a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Culture

At the beginning of 2019, Shawmut set a goal to achieve 100% pay equity; by the end of 2019, the firm achieved it. Leading companies like Shawmut benefit from improving talent retention, particularly among under-represented and non-majority people. However, the journey to true diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requires steadfast commitment. CEO Les Hiscoe declared DEI a business imperative for Shawmut in 2018, and is leading the journey alongside Chief People Officer Marianne Monte. From creating a Diversity Leadership Council (DLC), to pay equity and transparency, to mentorship and sponsorship programs, Shawmut has created a framework to attract and retain diverse, top talent. Each of these initiatives is backed by research and methodology. Shawmut has empowered male champions, effecting cultural and organizational change through majority group leaders advocating for and supporting non-majority group members. In this talk, Hiscoe and Monte will share Shawmut's journey to DEI, providing actionable takeaways for attendees to bring to their own workplace.

WINE TASTING

Lukas has worked in the New York City restaurant scene since 2016. First hired as a junior sommelier at Masa (3 Michelin stars), he later moved on to The Modern (2 Michelin Stars) where he took on a full-time sommelier role. In January of 2020, Lukas accepted a sommelier position at Le Bernardin, a Michelin 3-star restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, ranked #1 in the world on La Liste 2019.

Conference begins: 11AM EST, 10AM CST, 9AM MST, 8AM PST

WELCOME INTRODUCTION

Keynote

Planning for 2021: Strategic frameworks for ensuring success in a year of uncertainty

Danielle will share lessons and advice from her years growing and managing a 170-person AEC consulting practice—especially strategies for leading teams and strategic planning during challenging times.

Roundtable Discussion

A. Leading through disruption
B. Negotiation tactics and training
C. Planning for 2021
D. Personal brand and career planning

Introduced and moderated by some of the most knowledgeable women in the industry, these fast-paced roundtable discussions will give you the opportunity to ask questions, learn best practices and share your ideas with your peers.

LET'S TALK... AN INTERACTIVE INTERMISSION

• Managing Others
• Career Navigation
• Family Life Balance + Personal Well Being

TALK + WORKSHOP

Three Different Perspectives: Architects, Engineers, and Contractors Discuss What Drives Them Crazy About Each Other, and How To Overcome Those Obstacles

By better understanding the complaints, shortfalls, and stereotypes among the AEC disciplines, we can gain a better understanding of each other's perspectives and adjust to create thriving relationships and project success. This is not a bashing session but an opportunity to address real problems that affect our relationships, our culture, and the success of projects. This presentation will be a combination of survey results, anecdotes, and research, and will be solution-oriented. A fun and opportunistic way to recognize differences and celebrate them.

PANEL

Putting the Men Back in Mentorship

For women to succeed and advance in our male-dominated industry they need sponsors, mentors, advocates, and champions. And some of them must be men. A 2019 Harvard Business Review article found women score higher than men in most leadership skills, including taking initiative, acting with resilience, practicing self-development, and driving for results. Yet only 4.9% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women and the numbers are declining. In the construction industry, only three companies have women CEOs (BigRentz, Feb. 2019). There simply aren't enough women in leadership to mentor and guide up-and-comers. That's why it's so important to find men who set aside unconscious bias, ignore old stereotypes, and actively coach women for leadership. This panel will discuss why they actively champion for women, what it means for their business, and how others can put best practices to use to create opportunities for women.

CLOSING REMARKS