2022 BEAT Annual Leadership Seminar
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 were 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 were 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
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.
2019 BEAT Annual Leadership 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.
2018 BEAT Annual Leadership Seminar
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.
2017 BEAT Annual Leadership Seminar
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.
