Andrew Schneider, AIA
Champlin Architecture
Architect / Project Manager

Why did you sign up for VISION? 
I had watched several of my co-workers graduate from the program and listening to how they repeatedly said great things about the program and how it is a ‘must’ for any upcoming leader in our profession. The opportunity to spend a day with your peers discussing and comparing their relatable experiences while gaining valuable insight to addressing the growing pains common among young architects. There is nothing comparable to the small group sessions with each of the guest speakers and being able to have a deeper discussion on a topic than would otherwise be possible outside the forum of AIA Vision. 

How will you work better or more efficiently now that you have gone through the program? 
Understanding how I operate as a leader has become very important in learning how to manage and mentor others. It has helped me understand my strengths and how to align those with my career goals. 

What’s one or two things you’ve learned from the VISION program that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else? 
During one of the lectures the speaker, Weston Walker from Studio Gang, mentioned the idea of ‘measuring wonder’ and the challenge of doing so. This idea still strikes me as a critical component of my own creative design process and is likely to continue to fascinate me for the rest of my life. 

How will VISION make you a better leader in the future? 
Understanding how I operate as a leader has become very important in learning how to manage and mentor others. AIA Vision has given me the confidence to excel as a future leader in my firm. 

Why would you encourage others to participate in VISION?
A few people in my firm have approached me and asked how the program is going, and my response is always ‘It’s great! If you haven’t done it, you absolutely should as soon as possible!’ 

Elias Lewis, AIA
Burgess & Niple, Inc.
Architect

Why did you sign up for VISION?
I signed up for VISION in order to gain a new perspective into the world of Architecture.  I was looking for new opportunities to see processes, exercises, and lines of thinking I would not have been able to experience in my day-to-day career life.  

What’s one or two things you’ve learned from the VISION program that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
Vision Gave me the opportunity to listen to voices I would not have normally had the chance to hear.  From company leaders in the Cincinnati area to industry pioneers from around the country, the shared viewpoints are truly diverse.  I learned of new and creative ways you can bring more members of communities, including people who are often left out of conversations, by refocusing your reach and teaching your clients along the way.   

How will VISION make you a better leader in the future? 
VISION has made me a better leader by teaching me how to hone my communication skills with others, especially now with a better understanding of personality types and traits.  VISION also helped build confidence in myself and experience that I can bring forward with others and lead the team towards the best possible outcome. 

Why would you encourage others to participate in VISION? 
I would encourage others to consider applying for VISION as it is a great opportunity to boost your career and broaden your view of the business of architecture. This is a chance to join others like yourself on the same career journey, to learn and share together with industry leaders towards how to improve yourselves and architecture as a whole.  

Emily Lubbers, AIA
MSP Design
Senior Project Manager / BIM Manager

Why did you sign up for VISION?   
Every step in my career has followed very definitive steps; high school, college, graduate school, getting licensed. Since getting both of my licenses (architecture and interior design), I have been a little at a loss for what comes next.  VISION seemed like a great way to connect with other local professionals, in similar positions to me, to better understand what I want next for my career path.

What value did VISION programs and discussions bring to your current position?  
Having the opportunity to connect with experts and professionals - both locally and from all over the country - on important topics that will have a lasting impact on our industry’s future, really challenged me to think differently and evaluate what I want for both my future as an architect, and the future of design in Cincinnati. Through the presentations and seminars, I learned important lessons on what type of leader I want to be and what my next steps need to be to accomplish those goals.

How will you work better or more efficiently now that you have gone through the program? 
Being a good manager and leader for both my company and the future of design in Cincinnati is something that is important to me. Being able to dive into important topics with people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds was extremely beneficial. VISION is a safe space to share and discuss a wide range of important topics (sustainability, equity in design, community outreach, etc.). We often shared pain points individuals were having and discussed potential solutions. Another unique aspect of VISION is that the presentations are held at different event spaces throughout Cincinnati and each discussion is held at a different Cincinnati design firm. This provided a great opportunity to discover parts of Cincinnati I might not otherwise see as well as learn how different firms are structured and operate.

What’s one or two things you’ve learned from the VISION program that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else? 
For me personally, the topic Equity in Design was the most powerful session. It was an extremely eye-opening presentation by Roderick Walton of Moody Nolan. He really challenged us to recognize our privilege, and therefore our responsibility, to improve the health and welfare of all people through design. If it weren’t for VISION, I doubt I would have ever had the opportunity to have a candid conversation about race and equity in design in a small group setting with a leader at the largest black owned architecture firm in the country.

How will VISION make you a better leader in the future? 
To be a good leader you must be open to diverse ideas/perspectives, and innovation. I truly came out of each VISION presentation and discussion invigorated and excited to get back to my office, share what I had learned, and help push our industry forward. The wide variety of topics and in-depth conversations truly made for a well-rounded experience. We talked about everything from AI and sustainability to racial equity and work-life balance. Each topic expanded my views on both design and what I want the future to look like.

Why would you encourage others to participate in VISION? 
I would recommend VISION to anyone who has their sights on future leadership; in their firm, our industry, or our city. Not only is it a fabulous networking opportunity with the potential for great connections, but it also provides the perfect environment to expand your thinking, dive deep into and grow as a future leader.    

Graham Tedder
RWA Architects
Designer

Why did you sign up for VISION?
To learn more about the industry, and specifically what it looks like in Cincinnati having come from Durban, South Africa.

What value did VISION programs and discussions bring to your current position?  
The realization that there are other professionals in the city that want to improve and change the face of architecture for the better that I can lean on.

How will you work better or more efficiently now that you have gone through the program?
Having even more pride for the profession, knowing that I am accountable to a broader community than just the office I work in.

What’s one or two things you’ve learned from the VISION program that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
That there are other professionals outside of the world of architecture that care just as much as we do about the built environment and the communities that we live in.

How will VISION make you a better leader in the future?
Recognizing that it takes all of us to stand up and be counted if we want to see Cincinnati transformed. 

Why would you encourage others to participate in VISION?
To see and meet world changers that you wouldn’t meet anywhere else.

Matt Scott, AIA
GBBN Architects
Project Architect

Why did you sign up for VISION?
On a day-to-day basis, I am fortunate to have continued exposure in guiding large client groups through the design process, coordinating/communicating with project stakeholders and consultants, and leading project documentation efforts.  I looked to AIA VISION as a unique opportunity to step away from the project scale and get a hands-on dive into the scale of the firm (and industry as a whole).  

What value did VISION programs and discussions bring to your current position?  
The monthly discussions offered an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day project thought processes and broaden our focus on the ever-evolving trends in our industry and discuss (sometimes challenge) how firms throughout the city are approaching these shifts.  This has helped to clarify and appreciate the “big picture” within my own organization and has provided the tools (and confidence) to adjust our approach/goals to better support our project goals and future ambition.   

What’s one or two things you’ve learned from the VISION program that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
Being a leader doesn’t mean that you yourself must be consistently generating transformative ideas or producing immaculate content.  Rather, these are the product of diverse skill sets, shared ideas, and broad world perspectives/experiences.  Meaningful leadership is almost invisible – whether it takes the form of establishing connections between people and ideas, creating environments for diverse skill sets to come together, or being an amplifier to empower others’ voices.

Why would you encourage others to participate in VISION?
The connections.  I expected (perhaps even assumed) that the program would connect me with other architectural leaders throughout the city – something that it definitely did.  But I didn’t expect the genuine depth of ‘togetherness’ that was established with those in our industry.  From sparking new connections with prominent leaders, to discovering parallel connections in my network that I didn’t know existed, to establishing a deeper connection with my own working styles and personal drives (the November session is mind bending!).  The most surprising though are the deep personal connections made with others in the VISION class – establishing close friendships outside of the professional setting.

Michael Prince, AIA
BSI Engineering
Senior Architect

Why did you sign up for VISION?
I have been looking to participate in Vision for about five years. I worked with Doug and also with many people who have been in past classes and have always heard of the positive benefits of being a participant. This year, finally the timing was right, and I was able to apply.

What value did VISION programs and discussions bring to your current position? 
Too many to count. At the base level, just being involved in a leadership program specific to Architecture shows that you are serious about your career but beyond that, the subjects covered from business practices, to advancing to management roles, to design and deliverable improvements, have all been extremely relevant to my project load and to our Firm’s and our department’s goals. Taking some time to step out of my role and focus on these subjects and hear from others with a range of perspectives and experiences puts these more forward in my mind and sharpens my balance when practicing.

How will you work better or more efficiently now that you have gone through the program?
For me, it's been heads down and push forward on my projects. I can lose sight of balance and stepping back every once and a while to refocus or consider what can be done to improve our service and our deliverables as a company and an industry. Vision series has given me the opportunity to focus on wholesale improvements that can be made.

What’s one or two things you’ve learned from the VISION program that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
It’s less about learning hard factual things and more about openness to considering different perspectives. While we all have slightly different focuses and roles, many of the shared viewpoints on differing design processes, firm philosophies, and staffing challenges in the younger generations were particularly helpful to reframe my perspective.

I think it would have been very challenging to bring the experience and the people who are roughly where you are in your career into the same space locally and have a meaningful discussion outside of Vision.

How will VISION make you a better leader in the future?
For me, Vision is an early step to focusing on architectural/business leadership training. It’s about setting myself up for a focus on leadership concepts and methodologies to make sure I keep these tools sharp.

Why would you encourage others to participate in VISION?
I plan to try to encourage people from BSI to apply to Vision in future classes as early as it makes sense in their careers. In a big E little A firm, experience outside of strictly architectural design and documentation is just as, if not more important to leadership and career development. The more diverse your skillset and experience in the broader realm of design services the better.

Nicole McCleese
BHDP
Senior Architect

What value did VISION programs and discussions bring to your current position?  
The program experience grew my confidence through meeting with similarly positioned architects across various firms who share the same passions and challenges.

How will you work better or more efficiently now that you have gone through the program?
The Vision program helped to broaden my understanding of architectural practice. It took me out of a more task-oriented mindset to consider factors like planning strategies and soft skills. This has allowed me to become agile and jump into different job duties as needed.

How will VISION make you a better leader in the future?
The opportunity to participate in Vision has made me redefine what a leader is and more of what a leader is not. A leader is someone who can harness others’ strengths and interests to push the team towards a desired outcome. For this, a leader needs knowledge of how to positively deal with various situations and personalities. The Vision program invites more experienced guest speakers and visitors to each monthly Vision session which is beneficial in analyzing a variety of leadership approaches.

Why would you encourage others to participate in VISION?
If one wants to develop himself or herself professionally, Vision is a great avenue for exposure to different markets of architecture, networking, and public speaking

Samantha Offringa
Luminaut
Architect & Project Manager

Why did you sign up for VISION?
I know a few people that went through the program and had very positive things to say about it. I felt like it was a good pivot point in my career to get out of my routine and gain some more perspectives. Also, I felt it would help me build my network in Cincinnati.

What value did VISION programs and discussions bring to your current position?  
The programs have given me a deeper understanding of the challenges our profession faces and what we can all do to advocate for each other. 

How will you work better or more efficiently now that you have gone through the program?
One thing we can all benefit from is the idea of hiring and partnering with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This will help bring innovation into our profession. 

What’s one or two things you’ve learned from the VISION program that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
The biggest thing I’ve learned from VISION is how painfully behind our profession can be in terms of representation. We still have a long way to go to compete.

How will VISION make you a better leader in the future?
VISION has given me a wider network and given me renewed interest in tackling the challenges architects face.

Why would you encourage others to participate in VISION?
If you’d like to expand your network and get out of your comfort zone, it’s a great program! You’ll meet great people and have exposure to more perspectives, which is so crucial to innovation in this profession. 

Zach Herbst, AIA
MSA Design
Project Architect

Why did you sign up for VISION?
I signed up for the VISION program because I wanted to take the next step in my architecture career. I realized that to grow professionally, I needed more than just my current skill set and experience. VISION offered me the chance to learn from the leading experts in the field, with a lineup of speakers that really caught my interest. 

VISION also provides a valuable networking opportunity. Connecting with like-minded professionals, sharing ideas, and potentially finding collaborators or mentors is something I believe is fundamental for my personal and professional growth. VISION offers a unique chance to broaden my horizons, learn about the latest trends and technologies, and establish valuable connections.

What value did VISION programs and discussions bring to your current position? 
The VISION program has been incredibly valuable to my current position. For one, it has broadened my understanding of the architectural field, allowing me to implement new techniques and concepts into my work. The knowledge gained from the lectures has helped me think more innovatively about my designs, leading to more sustainable and efficient projects. 

On a personal level, I've found the networking opportunities to be extremely rewarding. The connections I've made have not only enriched me professionally but have also led to new opportunities for collaboration that I wouldn't have had otherwise.

How will you work better or more efficiently now that you have gone through the program?
Going through the VISION program has fundamentally changed the way I approach my work in architecture. It's given me a much more holistic understanding of the profession, beyond just the design and technical aspects.

One of the biggest takeaways was learning more about the broader industry processes and how they impact my daily work. Now, I'm better equipped to navigate those processes, which has made me more effective and efficient in my role. I'm more aware of the requirements and expectations, and this awareness has helped to reduce delays and improve the overall flow of my projects.

The networking opportunities provided by VISION have also had a significant impact. Through the program, I connected with other professionals who have offered new perspectives and insights that I've been able to incorporate into my work. This has helped to diversify my designs and increase my ability to innovate.

The program's focus on community outreach has also transformed my approach to architecture. I've always believed that architecture should serve the community, and VISION reinforced this belief and gave me the tools to put it into action. Now, I'm more conscious of how my work can impact the community and I strive to ensure that my designs contribute positively.

What’s one or two things you’ve learned from the VISION program that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
Participating in the VISION program has opened my eyes to aspects of architecture I would not have explored otherwise. Firstly, the program’s unique emphasis on community outreach in architectural practice is an enlightening experience. While I've always known the impact our designs can have on communities, the program provided practical methods and detailed case studies on how to integrate this perspective into every stage of design and planning. This was something I hadn’t seen to such an extent in other professional development opportunities.

Secondly, the program provided an unmatched platform for connecting and networking with professionals from various facets of the industry. The interactive discussions, collaborations, and brainstorming sessions during the program brought forth diverse viewpoints and innovative ideas that I might not have encountered in my day-to-day work. This has not only expanded my own thinking but also transformed my approach to collaboration and teamwork.

In essence, the VISION program has been a unique learning journey, enriching my professional skills with insights and experiences that I believe are hard to gain elsewhere.

How will VISION make you a better leader in the future?
VISION has provided me with invaluable insights that I believe will significantly contribute to my growth as a leader in the architectural field. Firstly, the comprehensive understanding of the industry that I've gained will enable me to guide my team more effectively. With an increased awareness of industry processes and the importance of community outreach, I can impart a broader, more holistic perspective of architecture to those I lead.

The program has reinforced the importance of collaboration and networking. Through interacting with a diverse group of professionals, I've learned to appreciate and incorporate different viewpoints, a skill that is critical for any leader. As I progress in my career, I will strive to foster a culture of collaboration within my team, encouraging every member to share their unique insights and ideas.

The program's emphasis on continuous learning and professional development has inspired me to not only continue my own growth but also to support the growth of my team members. I believe that a good leader is not just someone who leads, but also someone who helps others to grow.

Why would you encourage others to participate in VISION?
I would highly recommend others to participate in the VISION program, as it provides a comprehensive and unique platform for growth and development within the architectural profession. It's not just about honing technical skills; it's about understanding the larger role we play in the community and the industry.

The program covers a broad range of topics that I believe are vital for any architect, from industry processes to community outreach. The depth and breadth of the material are exceptional and have transformed the way I approach my work. If you're looking to deepen your understanding of the profession and expand your horizons, this is a great program to be involved in.

What truly sets VISION apart, however, is the emphasis on networking and collaboration. The opportunity to connect with a diverse group of professionals and share ideas is unparalleled. You're not just learning from experts; you're learning from your peers, too. This mutual exchange of ideas can lead to unexpected insights and foster a sense of camaraderie that can be truly inspiring.

The focus on continuous learning and professional development is something I believe is essential in our rapidly evolving field. The program encourages you to never stop learning, to always seek out new knowledge and experiences. This mindset is something I plan on carrying with me beyond the program and into my everyday life.