Emerging Leaders: Online

Launched in 2017, the BWAF Emerging Leaders program is a selective professional development opportunity for women approximately 3-10 years post-graduation. Through a small-group format, participants engage with senior leaders, gain practical insights and strategies for advancing their careers, and connect with ambitious peers navigating similar professional stages. More than 250 women have participated to date, building a lasting network of mentors, allies, and support for one another’s continued growth and leadership.

Strength, Stumble, & Story

This winter, we are offering a remote version of this beloved program, extending the reach of the relationships and connections formed throughout the cohort. STRENGTH, STUMBLES & STORY sessions will be held December 3, 10, and 17 6:00-8:00pm ET.

Participants will hear from speakers including Ann Lui from Chicago’s Future Firm, Ruth Ro from Dattner Architects in New York City, and Toni Lewis of Lewis|Schoeplein Architects in Los Angeles.

The application deadline is Monday, November 23rd. Program cost is $150.

Apply Today →

Stumbles

Ann Lui
Future Firm
Partner

Ann Lui is an architect and founding principal of Future Firm. She is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Chicago and Director of Undergraduate Architectural Studies. Previously, she was Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Michigan, and has held visiting roles including Cullinan Visiting Professor at Rice University and Baumer Visiting Professor of Architecture in the Open City at Ohio State University’s Knowlton School. Previously, she practiced at SOM, Ann Beha Architects, and Morphosis Architects.

Ann was co-curator of the U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2018 titled *Dimensions of Citizenship.* She co-edited *Public Space? Lost and Found* (2015) and Log 54 “Coauthoring” (2022). Ann received the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Community Design Impact Award in 2025, named *Newcity*’s “Designer of the Moment” (2018), and *Crain’s*“40 Under 40” (2018). She holds an SMArchS from MIT and a BArch from Cornell University. She is a member of the Steering Committee for the Metropolitan Planning Council’s Zoning and Land Use assessment, the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund’s Advisory Committee, and a member of the Advisory Committee for the State of Illinois Asian American and Pacific Islander Business Collective (IAAPIBC).

Time and location

December 3, 6:00-8:00pm ET (5:00-7:00pm CT)

Strength

Ruth Ro
Dattner Architects
Partner

Ruth Ro’s interest in real estate politics and their background as both an economic development analyst and painter have shaped their understanding of consensus-building and its importance within urban architecture. Whether through their art exhibit, “Icons of the Meatpacking District,” a collection of portraits that presented key players in the neighborhood’s transformation, or through managing large-scale mixed-use projects, Ruth is naturally adept at bringing people together and facilitating dialogue. Their approach to working with clients and consultants is characterized by a commitment to problem solving and the ability to aid communication between participants, successfully integrating multiple perspectives. Ruth holds a Master of Architecture from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from New York University.

Time and location

December 10, 6:00-8:00pm ET

Story

Toni Lewis
Lewis|Schoeplein
Principal

A third generation Los Angeles native, Toni is founding principal of Lewis/Schoeplein architects, a multi-disciplinary practice focused on sustainable community-based projects for institutions, government, non-profits and private developers. She has served as AIA/LA Treasurer (2022-present), as CFO of AWA+D (2019-2021), and on the Mulholland Scenic Corridor DRB (2012-2014). Her previous gigs included stints at Frank Gehry’s office, and at Gensler. Toni has a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley and an M.Arch from UCLA. She lives in an empty nest in Los Angeles with partner/husband Marc Schoeplein, two chickens, and a clownish pit-bull.

Time and location

December 17, 6:00-8:00pm ET (3:00-5:00pm PT)

Support for this program is provided in part by Vectorworks
View previous sessions from recent years:
2026: Strength Stumble Story→
2024: Emerging Leaders Online: Tenacity, Tumbles, Triumphs →
2024: Tenacity, Tumbles, and Triumphs→
2023: Energy, Environment, Engagement→
2022: Agility, Ambition, Authenticity→
2021: Imagination, Integrity, Influence→
2021: Perseverance, Politics, Power→
2020: Priorities, Personhood, Profit→
2020: Determination, Design, Disruption→
2019: Confidence, Compensation, Competition→
2018: Finance, Fulfillment, Family→
2018: Networking, Negotiation, Nice→
2017: Risk, Rain-Making, Resilience→

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Please make your check payable to:
Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation

Please mail your check to:
Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation
424 W 33rd St., unit 280
New York, NY 10001

All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged and are 100% tax deductible.