How can the A+D community realize DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion)?

This panel conversation will trace the path to the A+D power table from the perspectives of front line practitioners creating community-based pipelines, as well as A+D firm staff whose roles help create firm cultures that are conducive to DEI. Speakers will discuss challenges and opportunities around DEI, along with best practices that help make DEI happen.

Registration for this event is open at the bottom of this page.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn about DEI best practices in architecture education — both community-based and formal
2. Learn about best practices in creating firm cultures that foster DEI
3. Hone critical thinking around the concept of an equitable practice
4. Gain insight into how individual actions can help realize an equitable practice

About the Panelists

George X. Lin is a designer, licensed architect, educator, and visual storyteller. He is a tenured professor and Architecture Program Coordinator at the City College of San Francisco, where he promotes equity in architecture education. George received his BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley and his Master of Architecture from MIT. He has worked in offices including KKAA, WoJr, Project_, and Studios Architecture.

Merla Salongcong, PHR®, is an Associate and Regional HR (human resources) Generalist at Gensler, supporting the firm’s offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Portland and Seattle. Her +20 years of experience spans diverse industries from healthcare and finance to non-profit. An alumna of San Francisco State University — where she received a BS in Business Administration (Human Resources) — Merla is credentialed as a Professional in Human Resources by the global organization HRCI®.

Phoebe Lam, AIA, is an Associate and Director of Operations at William Duff Architects (WDA). Phoebe most enjoys the people aspect of her role. Some of her achievements include qualifying WDA as a Best Places to Work and 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies as ranked by the San Francisco Business Times. Phoebe received her BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley, and previously she worked as a residential project manager with WDA.

Prescott Reavis NOMA, LEED AP, SEED, NCARB, is the Founding Director of Kulima, a community design, planning, and teaching practice, empowering everyday citizens of all ages to use their collective knowledge and voices to shape their visions into the physical environment rooted in equitable design and planning justice. Mr. Reavis is a founder and director of SFNOMA’s Project Pipeline a decade old Architecture + Community Planning Camp for middle school students and an Adjunct Lecturer at Howard University.

About the Moderator

Lisa Boquiren brings insight, ideas and brand strategy to creative businesses. She oversaw rebranding initiatives, as director of marketing at San Francisco Design Center, and at EHDD. As chairperson for the AIASF Communications Committee (2009-2014), Lisa helped advance the chapter’s messaging goals, particularly for women in practice, through incubator events that enabled EQxD. Recent events she’s created for AIASF include “Flight Path,” “Chain Link” and the upcoming “The Life-Compatible Practice” (May, 2021).