Building a Mission-Driven Business: Intensive Workshop
AIA Seattle’s Building a Mission-Driven Business is an intensive workshop program focused on skill building for the business of architecture, no matter the firm size.
Designed for new and emerging leaders, or current leaders looking to grow their skillset, the workshop fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and timely conversations about the profession, the business of architecture, and the future of practice.
Facilitated by industry expert, Susan Israel AIA, LEED AP, attendees will enhance business acumen across the architecture profession, with a particular focus on leadership skills, management education, sustainable practices, and equitable firm culture. Through a rich blend of compelling presentations, real-world case studies, hands-on activities, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchanges, participants will gain practical tools and insights to become resilient and visionary leaders.
Join us for Building a Mission-Driven Business: Intensive Workshop in-person on Monday, September 15, 9am-6pm PT at the Center for Architecture & Design with an online follow-up session on Monday, October 20, 9am-12pm PT. All sessions subject to change.
Target Participants
New, Emerging, and Current Firm Leaders*
We invite a cohort of new, emerging, and current firm leaders from the broader AEC industry who are interested in strengthening their business foundation, leading equitable firms, and shaping the future of practice.
- *New, Emerging, Current Firm Leaders: lead firms, lead practice groups, lead teams, are direct supervisors, make key decisions and have influence and power in shaping the culture and staffing of the firm or projects
Space is limited!
Cost
Includes continuing education (12 LU) + light breakfast, lunch + refreshments
$461.00 $531.00 AIA Member/Corporate Allied Partner (CAP)/Allied Member
$461.00 $531.00 Government + Partners
$305.00 $351.00 Associate Member
$761.00 $876.00 Non-Member
Early Bird Deadline: Register by Friday, August 29 to save 15%.
Final Registration Deadline: Thursday, September 11, 5:00pm PT.
This is a 2-part program. Participants commit to engaging in both the in-person workshop and the follow-up session to receive continuing education credit or a certificate of completion, understanding that the content is designed for consecutive learning. No partial credit will be awarded. All registration and credit questions can be directed to Riyansha Goyal.
Reduced rate options are available! Please submit the Continuing Education Scholarship / Reduced Rate Request Form via email by the priority deadline Friday, August 29, 5:00PM PT.
Learn more about our program pricing, the member ticket rate, and other benefits associated with membership. Explore the other major education programs we offer.
Meet the Facilitator
Susan Israel, AIA, LEED AP, has deep expertise in architecture, strategic planning, sustainability, leadership training, team dynamics, and organizational change. Prior to joining PSMJ as a Senior Consultant, she practiced architecture in her own firms, and worked for Moshe Safdie, Graham Gund, and others. Susan founded Climate Creatives and Rising Waters Institute, pioneering innovative outreach and engagement methods that merge participatory public art, studio experiences, design, and science. Collaborating with 150 partners in all sectors, she has reached 1.2Mil people on-site globally. Susan teaches and lectures at universities, including Harvard Business School, Cornell, Northeastern, Emerson and others. She has exhibited work at the WTO, UN, TEDx’s and conferences, and curated numerous exhibitions. She is a certified Connective Leadership Institute Trainer. Susan is a licensed Architect, LEED AP, holds an A.B. from Harvard College, MArch from Harvard Graduate School of Design, and attended the MFA School in Boston.
Why Participate?
Building a Mission-Driven Business: Intensive Workshop is a timely and mission-aligned initiative that addresses urgent needs across the profession while creating space for learning, collaboration, and leadership development. The practice of architecture is undergoing significant transformation—from evolving business models, market volatility, and shifting workplace cultures. This program directly addresses this changing landscape by framing the business side of architecture as the foundation for a thriving, secure, and stable practice. This solid business foundation affords a firm the opportunity to create a culture and practice rooted in equity, resilience, and transformative leadership.
Participants will learn skills and knowledge to lead equitable firms and extend those values into communities, building social resiliency and equity, two key drivers of climate resiliency and social welfare. Creative exercises in the workshop will foster collaboration among design professionals, building an on-going peer community. Participants will leave with implementation plans to reinforce learning and stay connected to the peer group. An intensive follow-up tripartite session will reinforce connections, increase the knowledge base, and build on action plans.
Venue
- Venue: The forum will be held at the Center for Architecture & Design (1010 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98102).
- Transportation: We encourage attendees to take advantage of public transit options and plan your trip. Please note that parking at the venue is not available, but there is early bird parking before 10am at the Watermark Tower Garage just a block north off Western Ave.
- Covid Parameters: AIA Seattle strongly encourages masking to demonstrate community care.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate enhanced business acumen by applying principles of market strategy, efficient operations, financial models, and risk management to build more resilient and sustainable practices in a changing economic landscape.
- Evaluate and refine firm culture and organizational structure through the lens of equity, labor practices, and community impact, with a focus on inclusive leadership, staff well-being, and long-term retention.
- Identify and articulate firm’s value proposition, learning how to set strategic goals and measure impact based on desired legacy. Learn how to realize those goals through branding, project and client selection, and community relationships to support long-term relevance and leadership.
- Analyze case studies and peer experiences to assess how firm culture interacts with business challenges and solutions. Learn best practices and pitfalls of communications, training, team organization, and meaningfully engaging with the communities we’re designing for.
- Engage in cross-collaboration to explore emerging models of practice, advocate for systemic change, and develop a shared language for future-focused leadership.
- Apply values-driven decision-making to business planning, aligning operations, people, and vision with broader goals of justice, equity, resilience, and sustainable practice.
Accessibility
- Presenter files and other program materials (as applicable) will be available on the password-protected attendee resources page at least 1-2 business days before the program. The password will be sent in follow-up email communications to all registered attendees
- We encourage speakers to create accessible presentations to ensure attendees can fully engage with the session content.
If you have access needs for this program, please note them in your registration form or contact Programs Coordinator, Riyansha Goyal. You can reach Riya via email at riyag@aiaseattle.org or via phone at 206-957-1922.
Attendee Resources Page
- The password-protected attendee resources page is intended only for participants of Building a Mission-Driven Business: Intensive Workshop. Attendees will receive the password in subsequent email communications.
