12 March 2026

Reserve your spot by Monday, 9 March
News & Events
Event

CVU Women Rising Office Tour Series: SOM Chicago

Join CVU Women Rising for an inspiring evening hosted at the SOM Chicago office as we celebrate Women’s History Month with a dynamic gathering of women across the built environment. The Women Rising Committee invites professionals in the sustainable cities industry interested in the mission of Women Rising to join our exclusive office tour series, highlighting women leaders across the global CVU member network.

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Details

Join CVU Women Rising for an inspiring evening hosted at the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) Chicago office as we celebrate Women’s History Month with a dynamic gathering of women across the built environment. Co-hosted by SOM’s Women’s Initiative and CVU’s Women Rising, this event brings together students and professionals across architecture, engineering, design, and related fields for meaningful conversation and connection.

The program will feature a panel of 6 women representing a range of career stages, from emerging professionals to senior leaders, sharing candid reflections on their career journeys, lessons learned, and experiences navigating leadership and growth in the industry. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your network, this is an opportunity to hear diverse perspectives and build relationships across firms and disciplines.

The evening will also include an exclusive office tour of SOM, followed by a networking reception with drinks and light refreshments — creating space to connect, exchange ideas, and foster lasting professional relationships.

Come ready to listen, learn, and connect with a community of women shaping the future of vertical urbanism.


Panelists

 

Jessica Duschean, Intermediate Architect

Maya Chandler, Senior Designer

Sydney Brown, Associate Principal – Design Architect

Marti Gottsch, Associate Principal – Design Architect

Jennifer Skowlund, Associate Principal – Urban Designer and Campus Planner

Marzia Sedino, Senior Associate Principal – Sustainability Director

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Logo

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Founded in 2010, SOM Women’s Initiative (SOMWI) creates a positive impact in the AEC industry by advancing women at all levels of our firm worldwide. We challenge institutional barriers to gender equity, bias, and systemic discrimination by promoting intersectionality and awareness, fostering mentorship and retention, and providing opportunities for professional growth and development. We are building the pipeline for women leaders at SOM by holding leadership accountable, leveraging metrics to pinpoint issues and target solutions, and diversifying our recruitment efforts from a wider array of educational institutions. We promote an equitable and just workplace not only for women, but for all identity groups, including our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ colleagues.

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