Perkins Eastman promotes three women to its executive committee
Global architecture and design firm Perkins Eastman is thrilled to announce that Hilary Kinder Bertsch, FAIA, Barbara Mullenex, AIA, and Supriya Thyagarajan, RA, have been elevated to the firm’s Executive Committee. Bertsch, Mullenex, and Thyagarajan are managing principals of the firm’s studios in Austin, TX, Washington, DC, and Mumbai, India, respectively. The three leaders join Andrew Adelhardt, Shawn Basler, Nick Leahy, Jeffrey Brand, Erich Burkhart, Jason Haim, Alan Schlossberg, Brad Perkins, and Mary-Jean Eastman on Perkins Eastman’s Executive Committee.
“Hilary (Bertsch), Barbara (Mullenex), and Supriya (Thyagarajan) each bring great leadership skills to this position, We are so pleased to have such strong and capable women,” said Mary-Jean Eastman, vice-chair and co-founder of Perkins Eastman. “Everyone who comes on the Executive Committee faces a challenge; they have to switch gears and realize it’s about the firm as a whole rather than a single studio or practice area,”
“These leaders bring valuable, diverse voices to the conversation, which is important. The more perspectives we have, the better the discussions will be, and the better decisions we can make,” said Nick Leahy, co-CEO and executive director of Perkins Eastman.
Of the talented trio promoted to the Executive Committee, Hilary Bertsch, who has 25 years of experience including 11 with Perkins Eastman, was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects last year. (Only 3 percent of AIA’s 94,000+ members currently hold Fellowships.) She moved from New York City to Texas last year to lead the firm’s new studio in Austin, where she earned her Master of Architecture at The University of Texas.
Regarding Bertsch’s new leadership position on the Executive Committee, she said, “It is an opportunity to design the firm you want to work for; having more female voices is important. This is an evolution of the firm Brad (Perkins) and Mary-Jean (Eastman) started. More than a firm, it’s a community we are building of which I’m happy to play a part.”
Barbara Mullenex received ENR MidAtlantic’s Legacy Award last year, which honored her “for a lifetime legacy of service, both to the AEC industry and her community.” She has worked at Perkins Eastman in Washington, DC, for the last nine years after owning her own firm, OPX, for 27 years. “I’ve learned over the last two years through my involvement with Perkins Eastman’s DE& I Group how important it is for women and people of color to see people they can identify with in the highest positions. They’re often on a harder, more challenging path, and sometimes they get discouraged and lose their way. I never had that (person to emulate) until I met Mary-Jean Eastman. I am honored to be in a position to have people think, ‘If she can do it, I can too,’ ” Mullenex said.
“As architects, we have the great opportunity to create places that become a part of people’s memories, places they want to return to,” Mullenex added. “As a firm, creating a place where people can develop to their fullest potential has become my most inspiring challenge. I am a connector, this gives me more connections.”
Supriya Thyagarajan shatters stereotypes daily. She leads Perkins Eastman’s studio in India in a country where less than a third of women even participate in the workplace. She travels and treks to remote edges of the world in a nation where only 11% of drivers are women. Thyagarajan, who has been with Perkins Eastman for eight years, led the projects of Ashoka University, one of India’s first liberal arts universities. She also led the projects for three All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) healthcare centers in India, orchestrating staff from seven Perkins Eastman studios in four time zones. To her, being elevated to the Executive Committee is an honor to celebrate. “It’s a positive step for the firm. It’s so reassuring that we’re going in the right direction,” Thyagarajan said, “Women mentorship is something I have always been passionate about, and not only within the firm. We have so far to go and have so many questions like ‘what is a good work/life balance?’ So often, as a woman, you’re making a decision from your gut, rather than from someone guiding you.”
Thyagarajan hopes to champion great exchanges among people in Perkins Eastman’s two dozen studios. “We have to remind ourselves that strong relationships and meaningful interactions are what makes work good,” Thyagarajan said. “I get to represent international offices,” she added, referring to Perkins Eastman’s studios in Mumbai, India, Guayaquil, Ecuador, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Shanghai, China, and Singapore, Singapore, “That is the most exciting voice I can have with the Executive Committee.”
Throughout the 24 Perkins Eastman studios that employ 1,100+ people around the world, the firm averages approximately 48/52 percent in terms of men/women. In some cases, such as the Perkins Eastman studio in Guayaquil, Ecuador, the scale tips even more toward women. Out of a staff of 24 in Guayaquil, for example, 19 are women.
Shawn Basler, co-CEO and executive director of Perkins Eastman, said, “We look forward to the powerful voices and vantage points Hilary, Barbara, and Supriya will bring to the Executive Committee. It will be exciting to see how their leadership will help us continue to grow.”
“We owe a debt of gratitude to Mary-Jean and Brad for their vision of founding the firm and their life principles that have guided us this far,” said Perkins Eastman’s Co-CEO and General Counsel Andrew Adelhardt.
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Project Art initiative returns to empower both local artists and international women
Project Art, the interactive initiative designed to provide Dubai’s best artists a free space to exhibit their work, will return this month for its first show of 2022 – and as well as empowering Dubai’s creative community, it hopes to empower the emirate’s female artists with a special focus on International Women’s Day.
Hosted at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens, the popular three-week Project Art residency will start on February 17 and finish on March 11, three days after International Women’s Day on March 8, with Dubai-based French artist Leiana (@art_by_leiana) showcasing a selection of female-inspired artwork from her Les Françaises collection.
“I live by colours, movement, and texture and always seek the wow effect in my pieces,” said Leiana, who moved to Dubai six years ago and started painting as a hobby. “The opportunity to have my work exhibited at Zabeel House is a dream come true and even more so as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. Painting for me is an escape from the stresses of modern life; a simple way to relax. I look forward to sharing that process with visitors.”
Leiana will lead a live painting experience on February 21 at 10am in the hotel’s lobby, where spectators will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the artist, observe her technique, ask questions, and learn a little more about her journey from France to the funkiest neighbourhood hangout in Dubai. The artist’s completed work will be available for purchase, as will all her other pieces.
“Project Art is all about empowerment, so the opportunity to show our support to the burgeoning art community while also celebrating International Women’s Day feels like the perfect moment to bring back what proved a very popular initiative when we launched last year,” said Marcus Sutton, General Manager at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens. “Leiana’s work is incredibly inspiring and with Les Françaises focusing on strong, independent women, I’m sure her residency will motivate many others to pursue their passion.”
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Mastercard And Entrepreneur Middle East Open Nominations For The Inaugural Women SME Leaders Awards 2022
Nominations are now open for the inaugural Women SME Leaders Awards 2022, the first initiative of its kind to recognize and further empower women-owned and run SMEs across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, staged by Mastercard and Entrepreneur Middle East.
The winners will be announced during a virtual awards ceremony on March 29, 2022.
Nominations for the Women SME Leaders Awards 2022 can be submitted HERE by 28 February, 2022. Those interested in attending the virtual event can register HERE.
All female individuals and/or businesses who have their headquarters/offices in the MEA region or offer their services to these markets can submit their nominations for one or more of the 22 awards. Please note that individuals may win in more than one category.
“At Mastercard, we believe that women-owned businesses are the catalyst for economic growth, improving the lives of everyone, everywhere,” says Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, EEMEA for Mastercard. “The passion that women SME owners display is unmatched and they raise the bar for everyone. That is why Mastercard, along with Entrepreneur Middle East, has curated the Women SME Leaders Awards. This is to recognize and celebrate the women entrepreneurs in the Middle East and Africa region.”
Small enterprises in trading and with a turnover of less than AED50 million and employing between six to 50 people are all invited to participate.
Shortlisted companies will be vetted by the Entrepreneur Middle East team and then passed onto the judging committee that will be chaired by Mastercard.
Following the independent evaluation of the shortlisted candidates by each of the judges, the winners will be decided by a vote. The Women SME Leaders Awards 2022 judging committee consists of Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, EEMEA for Mastercard; Mona Zulficar, Chairperson of EFG Hermes Holding; Nejoud Al Mulaik, Director of Fintech Saudi and Tamara Pupic, Managing Editor of Entrepreneur Middle East.
The awards are being presented in 22 categories, including the following:
1. The Designer
2. The Logistician
3. The F&B Leader
4. The Retailer
5. The Educator
6. The Real Estate Leader
7. The Health Custodian
8. The Hotelier
9. The Techie
10. The Professional Services Leader
11. The Investor
12. The Fashion And Beauty Leader
13. The Media Leader
14. The Executive
15. The Sports Leader
16. The Artist
17. The Leader Of Tomorrow
18. The Humanitarian
19. The Visionary
20. The Change Maker
21. Home-Based Business Of The Year
22. The Momtrepreneur of the Year
For more information about each of the 22 nomination categories, please follow this link.
Nominations for each of the Women SME Leaders Awards 2022 can be submitted through a link here by February 28, 2022, while the official website lists all of the necessary guidelines for the process.
Those interested in attending the virtual event can register HERE. For any enquires relating to the Women SME Leaders Awards 2022, please email SMEleaders@bncpublishing.net.
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Iwan Maktabi and cc-tapis present Women in Design exhibition
On occassion of Downtown Design Dubai, Iwan Maktabi’s Research and Experimentation platform “Iwan Maktabi Lab” is taking over Warehouse 32 at Alserkal Avenue with a series of exhibitions and cultural events. Throughout the month of November, the Iwan Maktabi Lab will honor women in design. “Women in Design” is an exhibition showcasing an array of cc-tapis collections honouring avante-garde designers, an exhibition which puts to the forefront the research and ideas which are shaping the world of interiors. Designers who question traditional craftsmanship, and cultural production techniques, merging them with contemporary ideas.
Patricia Urquiola, Mae Engelgeer, Faye Toogood, Sabine Marcelis, Cristina Celestino, and Bethan Laura Wood’s latest works designed for cc-tapis will be on display. Collections such as Paysage, Stroke, and Patcha as exhibited in Milan Design Week will be displayed for the first time in the Middle East. Allowing guests from all over the world to see, touch, and experience each piece.
“Just as my father encouraged me and my sisters in the start of our careers, I strongly encourage every woman to pursue her calling. Because at the end of the day, you find your strength and empowerment in what you do and what you give to your community.” Says Mona Maktabi, co-founder of Iwan Maktabi.
Design Talk
Nadine Kanso and Bethan Laura Wood
moderated by Alya AlShaibani
As part of Iwan Maktabi Lab’s devotion to fostering appreciation for the arts, the collections will be presented alongside a conversation between designers Sabine Marcelis and Bethan Laura Wood moderated by Alya AlShaibani, Manager of the Women’s Pavilion and Country Manager at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The moderated talk will take place on Monday November 8th, discussing the ideas that are shaping the world of design.
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Sensgreen contributes to women empowerment by appointing three women in key roles
Singapore- based Sensgreen, an award-winning company with its AI-Powered HVAC Solutions contributes to women empowerment in business by designating three women leaders in key company roles.
The company recently appointed Sanela Habbab as the Country Manager of UAE, Senem Gungor as the Country Manager of Turkey, and Gözde Mert as the Director of Marketing. With these appointments, the company confirms its strategic ambition working towards the vision of creating smart buildings through the power of IoT & AI.
UAE Country Manager Sanela Habbab will be responsible for managing all aspects of the operations and implementations of Sensgreen offices located in Dubai. Habbab brings over twenty years of experience in the GCC region in the HVAC industry, including district cooling, facility management, energy management & retrofitting. She holds a B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Zagreb, Croatia. In her role before joining Sensgreen, Sanela turned around a customer experience, streamlined business units around a coherent commercial and operational strategy, restored both profitability and an organization’s growth.
“I am very excited to be joining the Sensgreen team,” said Sanela Habbab. “I believe Sensgreen has a great business model and a talented management team that uniquely positions it to capitalize on the changing AI and IoT environment in the HVAC industry. As the industry evolves, I believe Sensgreen is in a position to provide a cost-effective and timely suite of equipment and services to help clients efficiently manage their indoor air quality and maximize their benefits” and elaborated.
Turkey Country Manager Senem Güngör has 14 years of experience in the energy and air conditioning industries and renewable energy, project sales & planning, business development, business strategy, and marketing strategy expertise in Turkey and the Middle East Region. Gungor is also coming from an engineering background. She holds a B.Sc degree in mechanical engineering from Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey, and an M.Sc degree in mechanical engineering, focusing on the energy Department from Ege University Izmir, Turkey.
“I think we have a huge responsibility to create an important awareness in the air conditioning industry with Sensgreen, on why the Quality of Indoor Air Matters,” she commented.
Habbab’s and Gungor’s Prior Roles in Energy and Sustainability Management will provide expertise for Sensgreen’s COVID-19-Ready Indoor Air Quality plans for 2021.
The latest join to the company is Gözde Mert as the Director of Marketing. Gözde has 18 years of experience in the marketing field. She also ran her marketing agency during her marketing career and gave strategic marketing consultancy services to growing and established companies from different sectors. She is specialized in B2B SaaS marketing and marketing structure building in start-ups. Gözde holds an MBA degree from the Izmir University of Economics.
Tolga Candan, the Chief Business Officer of Sensgreen, said: “Throughout the pandemic, people have realized the importance of Indoor Air Quality. Our operations have a strong focus on providing the IAQ at the most reliable level by utilizing IoT and AI. From now on, Sanela, Senem, and Gözde will be responsible for spreading our vision and our technology further within the UAE, Turkey, and worldwide.”
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