Reflecting on our “Mentoring Closure Celebration: Forging New Paths" event, we are filled with gratitude for everyone who attended.

Thank you to our panellists: Sabrina Klor, Michela Carla Falcone, Angharad Palmer, Jean Wang, Laura Cushnie, Niya Ann Sharon, and host Tania Ihlenfeld for sharing their personal career stories which were truly inspiring.

For those that couldn't join us we have the recording below for you.

Event Recording

Here’s an overview of what our panellists covered:

Sabrina Klor: Sabrina shared her experiences navigating the architecture field as a woman, rising to COO in one practice and emphasising the importance of inclusive policies and achieving work-life balance amidst professional challenges.

Jean Wang: Jean discussed her transition from landscape architecture to a broader architectural practice, highlighting the importance of embracing diverse perspectives and mentorship in her professional development.

Michela Carla Falcone: Michela focused on discussing the unpredictability of career paths in architecture. She shared her own journey of unexpected shifts from working in Italy to Thailand, then Paris, and eventually starting her own practice and focused on teaching complex geometry.

Laura Cushnie: Laura described her experiences with mentorship, detailing how guidance has clarified her career direction and enabled her to shift across vastly different sectors and explore new aspects of architecture, contributing to her growth as a leader.

Angharad Palmer: Angharad reflected on her journey from architecture to client-side development, highlighting her passion for sustainable design and urban regeneration, and how embracing challenges has shaped her career and ‘anti-career’ outlook.

Niya Ann Sharon: Niya shared the challenges of establishing her own practice in India and receiving recognition for capabilities here in the UK. She expressed a candid, ‘how hard can it be’ mentality throughout her career and there is plenty more to come.

Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors Solus, Bespoke Careers, and You See Media for their support.

Photo credit: You See Media - Lawrence Barraclough, George Rees Williams

The WIA Mentoring Team: Karen Fugle, Dr Ana McMillin, Yamon Phu Kyaw and our programme lead Tania Ihlenfeld would like to express a huge thank you to all our mentors and mentees for your generous time and commitment to the 2024 mentoring programme. We’re excited to share some reflections from our team:

“Our WIA volunteer-driven mentoring programme is changing the way many women architects navigate the profession and achieve their goals. Our programme has been instrumental in helping participants access new opportunities within their current roles or changing career directions. It has been not just about finding new pathways and strategies to overcome challenges but also about creating a strong community amongst the participants. The benefits have been vast for mentees as well as for mentors, who together reflect on their careers, share their insights with other participants, and, over time, develop more female role models in Architecture.” - Dr Ana McMillin

“As a new member of the team, I have been inspired by our mentoring programme. It’s incredible to see how it helps women architects grow, find new opportunities, and build confidence. The support and connections between mentors and mentees are truly amazing. Watching them share experiences and insights has shown me the strength of our community and the impact we can have together.” - Yamon Phu Kyaw
“As we bring the WIA UK 2024 Mentoring Programme to a close, we reflect on an incredible journey over the past six months: 175 mentees, 144 mentors, countless goals achieved, and a remarkable boost in confidence, perseverance, and performance. This programme is something we can all take pride in. Sharing knowledge and experience has a profound impact on the next generation of professionals, and we encourage you to continue these valuable connections beyond the programme. We look forward to witnessing mentees grow into mentors and for mentors to inspire even more mentees in the years to come” - Karen Fugle

“Mentoring is a safe space to explore and try different possible scenarios with curiosity and without judgement. For those who are action takers, it can be an opportunity to fast track your personal and professional growth. For those who are deep thinkers it can be a means to quieten a busy mind and see a path more clearly. I love that it’s all up to you.” - Tania Ihlenfeld

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the WIA UK 2024 Mentoring Programme. Your dedication and enthusiasm have made this journey a success and we hope to see you back again for the 2025 programme.