Lecture
Join Kimberly Dowdell for a lecture and fireside chat exploring the themes of architecture, urban transformation, sustainability, resilience, and leadership. Architects play a pivotal role in shaping tomorrow, which is why students and practitioners must remain engaged with the evolving role of designers and architects in the AEC industry today. With rapid shifts in technology, coupled with the expanding need for climate action and social responsibility, the profession of architecture is poised to take on a greater leadership role in building the future.
Reception at 5:00 p.m. in TBH Atrium
Lecture at 5:30 p.m. in 134 TBH
BIO:
Kimberly Dowdell is an award-winning architect and building industry leader. In her current role as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships with Amrize, she is working to advance innovation in the delivery of critical infrastructure and building solutions in all construction markets, from foundation to rooftop. She is a trustee at Cornell University and the National Building Museum, and she also serves as a board member for several key civic organizations in Chicago.
In 2024, Dowdell served as the 100th President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which was preceded by her 2019-2020 term as President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Her career has included leadership in a global design firm, public service, academia, real estate development, project management, and distinguished service to various organizations. In 2005, Dowdell co-founded the Social, Economic, Environmental Design (SEED) Network, and she earned her initial LEED AP credential in 2007.
Inspired by her early-life in Detroit, Michigan, Dowdell was initially driven to use architecture as a tool for urban revitalization. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. Her overarching mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives, by design.