We are thrilled for this year’s BEAT Leadership Seminar, which has a focus on Technical Women in Architecture. 

Specialized technical skills—such as expertise in sustainability, computational design, heritage, energy modeling, and construction detailing—are often associated with male architects. Come join us as five women who have developed in-depth technical knowledge share about their career journeys. Dima Cook, Kendra Kusick, Olivia Keung, Sophie Tremblay, and Jennifer Davis explore how pursuing technical specialties can lead to a rewarding and fulfilling career in architecture.

Following the morning panel discussion and a catered networking lunch, attendees are invited to participate in afternoon tours with individual panelists.

All are welcome to attend, and we extend a special invitation to recent graduates and women. 

Special thanks to WZMH for being a significant contributor to the event.

BEAT Leadership Seminars qualify for 2 OAA Structured Learning hours for the panel discussion portion of the event.

Speakers

• Dima Cook  Principal & Director, EVOQ Architecture | Heritage Conservation 

• Kendra Kusick Project Manager,  Teeple Architects |  Digital Tools 

• Olivia Keung Associate, Moriyama Teshima Architects | Sustainability  

• Sophie Tremblay Associate,  LGA Architectural Partners | Envelope, Passive House

Moderator & Speaker

Jennifer Davis  Strategic Business Development Lead & Project Manager, WZMH Architects | Construction Detailing 

MC & Welcome Remarks

Sonia Ramundi  Principal, IAH Architects and Advisory Member & Past Executive Chair, BEAT

Schedule & Details

Saturday, November 9th, 2024
T3 Bayside
251 Queens Quay E
Toronto, ON 

Registration    |   9:30 am – 10:00 am
Seminar / Panel discussion    |    10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch and Networking    |    12:00 pm – 1:30 pm  
Tours / Breakout sessions  |    2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Ticket Cost: $10 Student Ticket, $20 General Admission (all tickets include catered lunch)
*If financial barriers  prevent you from being able to register or you require other accommodations, please email us at info@beatoronto.com

Tours & Breakout Sessions

• Dima Cook -  Tour of the renovation at Union Station 

• Kendra Kusick - Breakout Session at Teeple Architects Office

• Olivia Keung - Breakout Session at Moriyama Teshima Architects Office 

• Sophie Tremblay - Breakout Session at LGA Architectural Partners Office

• Jennifer Davis - Breakout Session / Workshop at T3 Bayside

* Tours and breakout session sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the seminar. 

The bi-annual BEAT Leadership Seminar is dedicated to exposing students and young practitioners to leaders in the architectural profession. From sole practitioners to leaders and experts in Toronto's leading design firms to academics, the seminar speakers are women who have established careers in architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. The talks and tours that follow will showcase the breadth of the profession and speak to the numerous ways to navigate a career in the built environment.

BEAT is a volunteer-run organization made up of architects, designers, leaders, and entrepreneurs creating opportunities for community-building, advocacy, networking, and mentorship. We believe that empowering women in the design community improves and enriches the practice of architecture, the quality of the built environment, and ultimately, the human experience.

BEAT is a volunteer-run organization made up of architects, designers, leaders, and entrepreneurs creating opportunities for community-building, advocacy, networking, and mentorship. We believe that empowering women in the design community improves and enriches the practice of architecture, the quality of the built environment, and ultimately, the human experience.

We are thrilled for the return of BEAT’s Leadership Seminar, after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.  Previously occurring on an annual basis, this event will now be held bi-annually.  

The Leadership Seminar is dedicated to exposing students and young practitioners to leaders in the architectural profession. From sole practitioners to partners in Toronto's leading design firms, the seminar speakers are architects and academics who have established successful careers. The talks and tours that follow will showcase the breadth of the profession and speak to the numerous ways to navigate a career in the built environment.

While the event is geared towards women, all are welcome to attend. It is critical to have inclusive discussions surrounding issues of pay equity, gender bias, and the pressures of balancing work with a family life. 

BEAT Leadership Seminars qualify for OAA Structured Learning hours for the lecture portion of the event.

Speakers

• Vanessa Fong Principal Architect, VFA   

• Anya Moryoussef Director, AMA   

• Megan Torza Partner, DTAH 

• Ilana Altman Co-Executive Director, The Bentway

• Cheryl Atkinson Associate Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University & Principal, Atkinson Architect

Tour sites to be announced at a later date. 

Moderator

Heather Dubbeldam Principal, Dubbeldam Architecture + Design and Advisory Chair, BEAT

Master of Ceremonies

Stephanie Hosein Associate, Omar Gandhi Architects and Executive Committee Chair, BEAT

Schedule & Details

Saturday, December 3rd, 2022

Gladstone House
1214 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON 

Registration    |   9:30 am – 10:00 am

Seminar    |    10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Lunch and Networking    |    12:00 pm – 1:00 pm  

Tours / Breakout session    |    1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

* Tours and breakout sessions are led by seminar speakers. Sign up is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the seminar. 

 Register today!

Click HERE to reserve your free ticket.

BEAT (Building Equality in Architecture, Toronto chapter) exists to initiate change, building momentum to create a shift in the profession. Not only for architects on an individual level, but as an instigator to raise the voice of the profession at large, integrating it into conversations about how our built environment can be shaped to be more beautiful, functional, and enhance the human experience.

As a group dedicated to enabling great architects to do great work, we understand that each of us must contribute to our fullest. Design excellence, diversity and equity are therefore not mutually exclusive.

This year we celebrate the 5th anniversary of the annual BEAT Seminar, an event dedicated to exposing students and young practitioners to leaders in the architectural profession. From sole practitioners to partners in Toronto's leading design firms, the seminar speakers are architects and academics who have established successful careers. The talks and tours that follow will showcase the breadth of the profession and speak to the numerous ways to navigate a career in the built environment.

While the event is geared to women, all are welcome to attend. It is critical to have inclusive discussions surrounding issues of pay equity, gender bias, and the pressures of balancing work with a family life. OAA points will be issued for the lecture portion of the event.

Speakers

• Jennifer Kudlats Co-founder, Studio AC  

  • Break Out Session: 360 Dufferin St, Unit 103, Toronto, M6K 1Z8

  • Tour: Residential project, following Break Out session

• Elsa Lam Editor, Canadian Architect  

  • Tour: Ryerson Student Learning Centre, 341 Yonge St, Toronto, M5B 1S1

• Nina-Marie Lister PLANDFORM, Graduate Program Director and Associate Professor at Ryerson University

  • Break Out Session: Toronto Reference Library

• Sonia Ramundi Senior Associate, Williamson Williamson Inc.

  • Tour: Pilot Coffee Roasters, Roastery and Office Addition, 50 Wagstaff Dr, Toronto, M4L 2R8

  • ** This tour has been generously sponsored by Pilot Coffee Roasters 

• Eladia Smoke Smoke Architecture,  Master Lecturer at Laurentian University School of Architecture

  • Break Out Session: Toronto Reference Library

Moderator

• Vivian Lee Partner, Lamas

Master of Ceremonies

Dimitra Papantonis BEAT Executive Member, Senior Associate, Williamson Williamson Inc.

Host, Advisory Member

Betsy Williamson BEAT Advisory Member, Principal, Williamson Williamson Inc.

Schedule & Details

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Toronto Reference Library - Epic Hall, Bram and Bluma Appel Salon
789 Yonge St 2nd floor,
Toronto, ON M4W 2G8  
Enter at 'Epic Hall Entrance'  

Registration    |   9:30 am – 10:00 am

Seminar    |    10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Networking    |    12:00 pm – 1:00 pm  

Tours / Break out session    |    1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

* Tours and break out sessions are led by seminar speakers. Sign up is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the seminar. 

This event has been generously sponsored by the Ontario Association of Architects.

BEAT’s fourth annual seminar is devoted to exposing students and young practitioners to leaders in the architectural profession. From sole practitioners and partners in Toronto's leading design firms to academics, we will hear from women who have established careers in planning, urban design, architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. The seminar is open to both students and recent graduates who intend on practicing or teaching in these fields.

Presenters

Speakers

Jodi Batay- Csorba  Partner, Batay-Csorba Architects

Break out session and Office Tour:  Batay-Csorba Architects studio

Lisa Bate  Regional Managing Principal - North America, B+H

Building Tour: University of Toronto Jackman Law Building (Faculty of Law)

Tammy Gaber  Assistant Professor, School of Architecture at Laurentian University

Break out session: Daniels Spectrum, Artscape Lounge

Nina-Marie Lister  PLANDFORM, Graduate Program Director and Associate Professor, Ryerson University

Break out session: TBC

Anne McIlory  Partner, Brook McIlroy

Break out session: Daniels Spectrum, Second Floor, Artscape Lounge

Moderator

Lola Sheppard  Partner, Lateral Office

Special Presentation on Behalf of the Ontario Association of Architects

Vanessa Fong  Principal Architect, Vanessa Fong Architect  and OAA Council Vice President

Additional building tour of Daniels Spectrum will be hosted by Jennifer Mallard of Diamond Schmitt Architects.

Schedule & Details

Saturday, January 20

Daniels Spectrum
585 Dundas Street East
Toronto, ON   M5A 2B7

Registration    |   9:30 am – 10:30 am

Seminar    |    10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Lunch and Networking    |    12:30 pm – 1:30 pm  

Tours / Break out session    |    2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Lunch will be provided by BEAT. Tours and break out sessions are led by seminar speakers. Sign up is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the seminar. 

This event has been generously sponsored by the Ontario Association of Architects and Artscape. 

BEAT’s third annual seminar is devoted to exposing students and young practitioners to leaders in the architectural profession. From sole practitioners and partners in Toronto's leading design firms to academics, we will hear from women who have established careers in architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. The seminar is open to both students and recent graduates.

Presenters

Speakers

Irene Gardpoit, Uufie

Pat Hanson, Principal, gH3

Marianne McKenna, Founding Partner, KPMB

Kate Fox-Whyte, Principal, Foxwhyte Landscape Architecture

Lola Sheppard, Associate Professor, Waterloo Architecture and co-founder, Lateral Office

Special Presentation

Amy Norris, Project Manager, ERA and member of the OAA Intern Committee

Moderator

Betsy Williamson, Partner, Williamson Williamson Inc. and BEAT Advisory Committee Member

Tours / Breakout Sessions

Tours and breakout sessions led by seminar speakers. Sign up is on a first-come, first-serve basis on the day of the seminar, between 9:30 am and 10 am. Hard hats and boots may be required for certain tours.

Transportation from the Gladstone to tours and breakout sessions are by the participant. We encourage you to mingle during lunch and find a group of people in the same session to travel with.

Kate Fox-Whyte, BLA OALA CSLA - Principal, Foxwhyte Landscape Architecture

Project Tour: 28 Whitney Avenue, Toronto M4W 2A8    *Safety boots and hard hats required

Irene Gardpoit, B.Arch, OAA, MRAIC - Director and Principal Architect, Uufie

Office Tour and Break-out Session: Uufie Office - 202-258 Wallace Avenue, Toronto M6P 3M9

Pat Hanson, FRAIC OAA AAA – Partner, gh3

Project Tour: 436B Markham Street, Toronto M6G 2L2   *Safety boots required

Marianne McKenna, OC, FRAIC, OAA, OAQ, AIA - Founding Partner, KPMB

Project Tour: Rotman School of Management - 105 St. George Street,Toronto M5S 3E6. Led by Myriam Tawadros

Lola Sheppard, OAA, OAQ, M.Arch, B.Arch - Co-founder, Lateral Office

Office Tour and Break-out Session: Lateral Office - 703 Bloor Street West, Toronto M6G 1L5

Amy Norris, OAA MRAIC - Project Manager, ERA and OAA Intern Committee Member

Q&A: Amy will be available to answer questions during lunch at the Gladstone Hotel.  Sign-up not required.

Schedule & Details

Saturday, March 4

Gladstone Hotel, North Ballroom

Registration    |   9:30 am – 10:00 am

Seminar    |    10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Lunch and Networking    |    12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Tours / Break out session    |    2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Tours and break out sessions led by seminar speakers. Sign up is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the seminar. Hard hats and boots maybe required for certain tours. More information to follow.