008: Evelyn Lee: Tech, Transformation, and Disruption within Architecture
On today's podcast we welcome our first FAIA guest, Evelyn Lee!
Evelyn started in architecture but is now the first-ever Global Head of Workplace Strategy & Innovation at Slack Technologies. She is also the Founder of the Practice of Architecture, Co-Host of the Podcast, Practice Disrupted; and is extremely involved in the AIA, most notably serving as the first-ever female Treasurer to the AIA National Board from 2020-2021.
Evelyn has been widely published in Contract Magazine, Architect Magazine, and is currently working with Architizer to develop recurring content on the business of architecture.
She is a recognized innovator in the profession and has received numerous industry awards, including the 2016 40 Under 40 award for Building Design + Construction and the 2014 AIA National Young Architects Award.
We talk about:
- How Evelyn was inspired to study architecture and balanced it- from the start- with other commitments that were important to her, like playing collegiate soccer.
- We next review qualifications and expectations for achieving FAIA recognition.
- Evelyn shares about her experience as the first employee at her firm to have a baby and how she negotiated a maternity and return to work plan with her employer.
- Next, we chat about the Practice of Architecture and how Evelyn leverages her MBA and MPA to work with business owners to make their operations more efficient.
- We then talk about what architecture firms can learn from Slack’s stance on in-person and remote work strategies.
- Evelyn then elaborates on small changes that make a big impact on worker engagement like core hours, personal operating manuals, and dial-in policies.
- We end with a few ways Evelyn continues to learn and evolve and where you can follow her efforts (see the show notes!).
Links:
Evelyn's Website: https://evelynlee.com/
Evelyn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynlee/
Evelyn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelynmlee/
Practice of Architecture: https://practiceofarchitecture.com/
Practice Disrupted Podcast: https://practiceofarchitecture.com/podcast/
Drury University School of Architecture: https://www.drury.edu/architecture/
SCI-Arch: https://www.sciarc.edu/
More information about FAIA: https://www.aia.org/awards/7076-fellowship
Get involved in AIA: https://www.aia.org/landing-pages/6530744-volunteer-at-aia-get-involved
AIA YAF Practice Innovation Lab: https://www.aia.org/resources/167146-practice-innovation-lab
Slack's Future Forum: https://futureforum.com/
Architectette Podcast Website: www.architectette.com
Connect with the pod on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12735000/), Instagram (@architectette), and TikTok (@architectette)
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