Gensler Speakeasy

  • Date

    Tuesday, April 25 2023

  • Time

    5:30pm - 7:30pm

  • Location

    Gensler DC

The Gensler DC office is excited to announce an upcoming speakeasy in collaboration with AIA|DC Equity Committee by WIELD.

The speakeasy is open to young architects/designers in the DMV area and will be a conversation led by 3 panelists - women across the industry with varied focus and experience levels – who will share their voices, their challenges, and their successes with us. In coming together for this event, our intent is to create an atmosphere of open discussion where professionals of various backgrounds feel free to share their specific career-related experiences, reflect on how we can engage young emerging designers in the community more effectively and strive to create more equity in the workplace.

We would be thrilled to have you join and share insights on our current world, our professional/personal experiences, and our predictions for what’s to come.


Learning Objectives:

  • Hear about challenges and success stories relating to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace

  • Hone in on strategies for network-building and overcoming roadblocks through harnessing our collective resilience

  • Address the importance of mentorship; how we learn from and grow our people

  • Draw attention to the empowerment of emerging voices through personal brand-building and highlight the ways in which diversity drives innovation


Presented by:

Photo of Vivian Ramirez

Vivian Ramirez

Development Manager, SENECA GROUP

Vivian brings over 24 years of multi-disciplinary experience in project management, architectural and interior design, and Owner-side representation to Seneca’s Northern Virginia team. Her ground-up and interiors experience spans all phases from entitlement through stakeholder turnover in commercial-office, medical-office, multi-family-residential, educational, manufacturing, and retail sectors of the real-estate industry.

Vivian holds a Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate Finance from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Design of the Environment from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of CREW in the DC area and actively volunteers in her community as a Commissioner with the City of Alexandria, the Communications Director with the Washington DC Penn Alumni Club, and a Girl Scout troop leader.

Photo of Kim Roy

Kim Roy

CEO, HITT Contracting

From a young age, Kim Roy knew she wanted to become a builder. In 1999, her vision came true when she began her career in commercial construction with HITT Contracting. She rose through the ranks of construction operations and her considerable building experience and business savvy propelled her to increased leadership positions for the firm. She oversaw construction business units and a diverse group of corporate resources including business development, HR, marketing, preconstruction, virtual construction, and sustainable construction. In 2017, Kim was named CEO of HITT Contracting. In this role, she is responsible for defining key initiatives, identifying emerging markets and business opportunities, as well as developing the strategic plan for the company. She provides executive oversight for all corporate operations including HR, Finance, and Risk Management. Additionally, Kim leads the Leadership Council for emerging talent, the Corporate Steering Committee and the firm’s Strategic Planning Committee. Kim cares deeply about giving back in the communities where HITT builds and as such, she initiated and serves as President of the HITT Contracting Foundation.

Concurrently, Kim serves as President and active member of the board of HITT Holding Corporation, the parent company of HITT Contracting. She focuses on overarching management and performance of all assets including establishment of the governance of the individual corporations within the holding structure. Kim leads the M&A process for the firm, including prospective business reviews, due diligence, procurement, and integration.

Kim is an Independent Board Director for Brand Safway, a leading global provider of access, specialized services, and forming and shoring solutions to the industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets.

 Photo of Selin Ozertugrul

Selin Ozertugrul

Design Director, GENSLER

Selin is a Design Director at Gensler’s Washington DC office. With 25+ years of experience as an architect, she is responsible for the growth of Gensler's Cities + Urban Design, Residential, Lifestyle, and Sciences practices. Her outstanding portfolio includes several award-winning large-scale projects in US, Middle East and Europe, where she has served as an advocate for the design concept throughout the life of projects.

But what really sets her apart is her years-long-dedication to creating more equity, diversity and inclusivity in the realms of architecture and design. She’s incredibly passionate about mentorship, as she views fostering relationships with young emerging designers as not only an essential part of our practice but also a deeply fulfilling part of her work. With experience as a visiting professor at two undergraduate programs teaching architecture, identifying a certain curiosity and enthusiasm in others in relation to design comes as second nature to her.

She possesses a strong track record of applying her unique brand of zest and exuberance in her approach to design excellence, and is currently focused on ways to design and build more sustainably.


Sponsored by:

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