New Steering Committee Statements Dena Kennett Bio: I am a landscape architect for the National Park Service at Golden Gate National Recreation Area. I have a broad landscape architecture and urban design background, spanning from private sector project director to oversight of national network of practitioners and experts for the American Society of Landscape Architects, to public stewardship of some of the country’s most democratic spaces. Having the opportunity to work in the private sector, professional organizations, and public sector has allowed me to experience all aspects of the field - from practitioner to advocate designer to the director and generalist to specialist. It has also allowed me to build a strong professional network, locally and nationally. Statement: I have always enjoyed getting involved in leadership roles- both in the office and beyond. My experience as chapter president for the AS Potomac Chapter is most aligned with servicing on the OWA+DP Steering Committee. I lead the ASLA Potomac Chapter through a critical transition. There had been a small, but dedicated group of volunteers running the chapter operations for years and they were burnt out. Delivery of events and procedures was inconsistent and the chapter was losing members. My goal was to take this as an opportunity to establish new foundations and frameworks to enable the chapter to be both financially and organizational sustainable and to focus resources to deliver meaningful, high-quality experiences and results. Today, I am proud to see that chapter is thriving. Membership is up, and more importantly, there are more active and engaged members at the emerging, mid-career, and leadership levels. I look forward to sharing my experiences and skills to support OWA +DP. As a newcomer to the Bay Area, I feel very fortunate to have connected with this wonderful and diverse organization. It is important that women support other women and have a safe place to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that we face, both professionally and personally, as we navigate through our careers. Gennifer Munoz Bio: Gennifer Munoz is an architect in Sacramento, CA. She opened her practice in January of 2018, and her firm specializes in housing projects including single-family and mixed-use apartment buildings. Gen grew up in a navy family, living in Florida, Virginia, Maine, and Japan. She attended the University of Virginia for her bachelor’s degree and moved across the country to receive her Masters from UC Berkeley. Gen is an architect and a teacher, and she is very active in the Sacramento AIA and design community advocating for women in architecture and business. She recently co-founded the AIA Central Valley’s Equity Diversity and Inclusion committee and hopes to serve on the board for the next two years. Gen lives and works in a 100-year-old bungalow in Oak Park with her fiancé and a rambunctious German shepherd. Statement: After attending the OWA retreat this year I was absolutely enamored with the amazing camaraderie amongst this group of women and was honored to find I had been nominated to the steering committee. I heard so many wonderful stories of successful careers over the weekend and was greeted by warmth and support from the community. It was truly a breath of fresh air! The women that started OWA 46 years ago have created an amazing legacy and generously welcome new members with open arms. I hope to be a part of preserving and carrying on the legacy of support and good-will I felt at the OWA retreat weekend. With the 50th celebration coming up, I think I can also bring my party planning skills and enthusiasm to the table along with some travel ideas! Jiang Du Bio: Jiane Du, AIA has joined RATCLIFF, a recognized leader in Bay Area architecture since 1906. An architect with 25+ years of experience, Du brings proven management and technical skills to her role as a Senior Associate/Project Manager. She will collaborate with academic and civic clients to artfully integrate physical, functional and cultural elements to the built environment. In addition to practicing architecture, she enjoys teaching and has lectured at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, California College of Arts, and UC Berkeley. |
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Newsletter | Sep/Oct 2019