Shows
Architectette(Replay) 001: Cynthia Muñoz: Strong Mentors Make Great LeadersReplaying our episode with architect Cynthia Muñoz, principal at Stoecker and Northway Architects (Santa Clara, California) and Chair of the Board of Directors of the ACE Mentor Program of the San Francisco Bay Area.
We talk about:
- Cynthia's path to becoming an architect and other career paths she considered before she transferred to the architecture program at UC Berkeley.
- Her working experiences as an intern, designer, and eventually- principal.
- The significant impact of Cynthia's mentors (two female, senior architects) and the lessons they taught her.
- Why good design is imp...2025-02-0356 min
Architectette025: Yiselle Santos Rivera: Beyond her Role as Director of JEDIOur first Season 2 guest is Yiselle Santos Rivera. Yiselle is Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS and is also a former AIA|DC Chapter President, co-founder of LA IDEA, and WIELD event founder. She is a natural community builder and has been heavily involved with JEDI initiatives both on a local and national scale for which she has been recognized with numerous awards.We talk about: - Crafting her career path in terms of employers and project types to better align with her interest to design spaces that heal- How Yiselle created communities around her i...2024-01-1557 min
ARCHITECTING Podcast - Career + Lifestyle Mentoring for Architects looking to move beyond overwhelm and make a difference through designOut in Architecture Part 1: Interview with Yiselle Santos Rivera and Sarah WoyniczUnderstanding the lived experience of our clients and ourselves is essential to advancing our work as architects. In this interview, I speak with the masterminds behind the book Out in Architecture, a book dedicated to bringing visibility to the voices and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. We discuss identity beyond practice, the intersection of identity and practice and reclaiming space and identity. This is essential listening for anyone who wants to advocate for a model of practice that is inclusive and responsive.
There is a difference between lived and adjacent experience. Don't assume that you understand someone's...2023-11-2137 min
Changing TomorrowJEDI & ESG in Architecture: Building an Equitable Future with Yiselle Santos Rivera🔊 In this episode of "Changing Tomorrow," Gayathri, founder of Liveable, sits down with the visionary Yiselle Santos Rivera, a trailblazer in the realm of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) within the architecture and design industry. She delves into the practicalities of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and how they can be effectively operationalized within organizations and individual projects to foster sustainable, inclusive communities. As a minority in the industry, Yiselle also offers a candid look at her experiences and the systemic challenges she's navigated.🔑 Key Takeaways:Embrace ESG as a h...2023-11-0846 min
DiverseekClarity and Alignment: Harnessing the Power of the Intercultural Development Inventory for Transformation : Yiselle Santos Rivera (Architect and Global Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion @ HKS Inc.)Engage in a Dialogue with Yiselle Santos Rivera to uncover the power of Intercultural Development Inventory as a catalyst for change.Yiselle is an Architect, Principal and Global Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at HKS Inc. She is the founder of Women Inspiring Emerging Leaders in Design, or WIELD, and serves on the AIA National Board. She is passionate about creating platforms for other people to find their own voice, have curiosity without fear of failure, and test out how they want to show up with confidence. Yiselle is an activist architect and works to d...2023-08-211h 13
Nearly One-FourthYiselle Santos Rivera Pt.2, Failure Community, Self Assessment + Growth, the Caricature of the ArchitectWelcome to Nearly One-Fourth, the podcast dedicated to being a space for women in architecture sharing their experiences in the profession. On today's episode I am happy to welcome Yiselle Santos Rivera to the Nearly One-Fourth Community.
Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, NOMA, LSSYB, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a Principal and the Global Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS. Yiselle is an activist architect that works to dismantle barriers and bring visibility to underrepresented designers by creating inclusive workplaces. As medical planner, Yiselle amplifies...2023-07-3143 min
Nearly One-FourthYiselle Santos Rivera Pt.1, Architecture Leadership, JEDI ImplementationWelcome to Nearly One-Fourth, the podcast dedicated to being a space for women in architecture sharing their experiences in the profession. On today's episode I am happy to welcome Yiselle Santos Rivera to the Nearly One-Fourth Community.
Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, NOMA, LSSYB, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a Principal and the Global Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS. Yiselle is an activist architect that works to dismantle barriers and bring visibility to underrepresented designers by creating inclusive workplaces. As medical planner, Yiselle amplifies...2023-07-2447 min
Practice Disrupted by Practice of ArchitectureBonus Replay: Architecture, And EDI+JReplay: Architecture, And: EDI+JWhat is the role of a firm leader focused on equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice?As we continue to expand our exploration of diversity in practice, we’ve invited Yiselle Santos Rivera back to the podcast so she can share what she’s learned after two years of serving HKS as their Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Justice.What does it mean to position someone in a firmwide leadership role dedicated to increasing diversity within an architecture studio? What lessons can firms learn from the adoption of a lead...2023-06-2944 minPractice Disrupted by Practice of ArchitectureReplay: Voices from the Future of the ProfessionReplay: Voices from the Future of the ProfessionFuture leaders of the profession share diverse perspectives on architecture and the LGBTIQ+ community.Guests:Ryan Gann, Designer at Ross Barney ArchitectsA.L. Hu, Design Initiatives Manager at Ascendant Neighborhood DevelopmentLora Teagarden, Architect at RATIOYiselle Santos Rivera, Firmwide Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKSAmy Rosen, Sociospatial Designer at PLASTARCRyan Gann, Assoc. AIARyan Gann has blazed a trail founded on service, leadership, and design. From his...2023-01-051h 29
The Truth In This Art: Stories That MatterEmpowering Equitable Architecture: Yiselle Santos Rivera on Diversity, Inclusion, and Innovative SpacesIt's a pleasure to have you on 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, helmed by your host, Rob Lee. Be ready for an insightful conversation with Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, NOMA, LSSYB, LEED AP, WELL AP, is a distinguished architect and Principal at HKS, Inc., where she serves as the Global Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion. With an unwavering commitment to breaking barriers and fostering equitable practices, Yiselle amplifies the voices of marginalized communities through co-creation processes and designs that ensure equitable access. A trusted advisor to both firm leaders and clients, she plays a pivotal role in...2022-09-1540 minPractice Disrupted by Practice of ArchitectureArchitecture, And: EDI+JEpisode 054: Architecture, And: EDI+JWhat is the role of a firm leader focused on equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice?As we continue to expand our exploration of diversity in practice, we’ve invited Yiselle Santos Rivera back to the podcast so she can share what she’s learned after two years of serving HKS as their Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Justice.What does it mean to position someone in a firmwide leadership role dedicated to increasing diversity within an architecture studio? What lessons can firms learn from the adoption of a lead...2021-10-0753 min
Women BuildWomen Build and PioneerWomen Build speaks to Pascale Sablan and Yiselle Santos Rivera about fostering a positive working environment for women, designing more inclusive workspaces and what they gained by entering WAN’s Female Frontier Awards. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-09-2026 min
Tracing ArchitectureOn Justice and EquityVarious facets of the architectural profession in the United States are not flattering, and some of the most difficult to address is the lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the industry and policies that reinforce equity in the workplace. For this episode, we are building on the discussions from the joint NOMA Arizona and AIA Phoenix Metro panels held throughout the spring by inviting guests Shannon Rodriquez (of New York-based FX Collaborative) and Yiselle Santos Rivera (of HKS Architects in Washington DC) to share the progress they’ve made and the pitfalls they’ve experienced in their ongoing deve...2021-08-101h 06
Architecture & Engineering Business StrategiesHKS: How to Design a Culture of Diversity and Inclusion (w/ Yiselle Santos Rivera)Do you want to be a JEDI? At HKS Architects, the acronym stands for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. From defining shared vocabulary to setting benchmarks for success, it can be a long process to get such programs off the ground. JEDI Director Yiselle Santos explained why it’s well worth it, and how you can start.Interview TakeawaysGet buy-in at every levelDefine the JEDI frameworkAnchor your program with a mission and visionFocus on business outcomesSolidify common languageEmpower high-performing diverse teamsSet metrics for social justiceDelve into the dataBridge the gap between technical and experientialLook at th...2021-07-0952 min
Modern Steel Construction Podcast Series: Field NotesEquality ExpertIn addition to being a vice president and senior medical planner with HKS' Washington, Washington, D.C., office, Yiselle Santos Rivera is also the company's global director of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (J.E.D.I.). Hear about how she became an architect, her philosophy on design, and more.2020-11-0124 minModern Steel Construction Podcast Series: Field NotesJEDI MasterIn addition to being a vice president and senior medical planner with HKS' Washington, Washington, D.C., office, Yiselle Santos Rivera is also the company's global director of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). Hear about how she became an architect, her philosophy on design, and her life as a JEDI.2020-11-0124 min
Build Better with Anastasia BarnesS2 #2 Building the Framework for Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces with Yiselle Santos RiveraIn the second episode of season two, Anastasia talks with Yiselle Santos Rivera, a senior medical planner and the director of equity, diversity, and inclusion at HKS Architects’ Washington D.C. office. Yiselle is the co-founder of Latin American Interior Designers, Engineers and Architects (LA.IDEA), and the founder of Women Inspiring Emerging Leaders in Design (WIELD). She shares her thoughts on the importance of creating spaces for those in minority communities to have their voices heard, and providing development opportunities that can create truly equitable workplaces.2020-09-2931 min
Design Voice PodcastEvery Voice is Valuable with Yiselle Santos RiveraYiselle Santos Rivera, Associate AIA, is a medical planner and the Global Director of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS, Inc. With national and international experience on a broad range of healthcare, residential, institutional, and commercial/mixed-use projects, she thrives on building equitable practices, empowering the next generation of leaders, and creating inclusive platforms for engagement. She has served the AIA in local and national roles, including DC Chapter Board Director, Mid-Atlantic Regional Associate Director, and Strategic Council Associate Representative. She co-founded the Latin American Interior Designers, Engineers, and Architects (LA.IDEA) DC Committee and founded “Women Inspiring Emerging Leaders in D...2020-02-1930 min
Strange FruitWhy Colorblind Doesn't Cut It In Corporate AmericaAs a Puerto Rican woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community, architect and design professional Yiselle Santos Rivera has always been drawn to firms and companies that advocate diversity. This week she joins us to discuss why in corporate America, it’s okay and even important to “see color.”
Later in the show, writer DarkSkyLady reminds us that Anti-Black Behavior Is Not Exclusively White, as we discuss the viral case of author Natasha Tynes’ prejudicial targeting of a Black woman subway worker in New York City.2020-02-0458 min
ARCHITECTAddressing Our Own Bias to Design BetterAs a female person of color, a Puerto Rican, and a member of the LGBTQ community, Yiselle Santos Rivera, Assoc. AIA, has beaten the odds. In this episode, Santos Rivera shares how she is reaching out to individuals and communities not already embedded in the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)conversation; her efforts at HKS, a firm with more than 1,400 design professionals worldwide; and where designers can find support if their local community is not currently thinking about EDI.2019-11-2625 min