EDI Community

Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is one of AIA Pittsburgh’s core values.

The cases to be made for equitable practice—moral, business, ethical, professional, and societal—all rely on bolstering practices that are inclusive of differences and equitable in approach, process, and effect. The EDI Community, formed in 2019, explores and fosters diversity, equality and inclusion in the architecture profession and in the design of our built environment.

The EDI Community meets the fourth Monday of each month at 4pm.

Committee Members

More committee members means we get more done! Interested in joining us? Click here for more info:

Join us
3
  • Marco Virgili, AIA: Co-Chair  – Stantec
  • Jessie Catenacci, AIA: Co-Chair  – Perkins Eastman
  • Lucia Aguirre, AIA  – LGA Partners
  • Melissa Simonetti, Assoc. AIA  – Director of Construction and Project Management, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
  • Tiffany Castagno: Consultant  – CEPHR

Elevate Your Practice: Sign Up Now for Exploring Dimensions EDI Training

The AIA Pittsburgh Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Community is excited to present “Exploring Dimensions,” a 3-part virtual training designed exclusively for architecture firms, moderated by EDI and HR professional Tiffany Castagno. In these workshops you will gain an understanding of 1.) EDI foundations, 2.) how implicit bias can impact how we think, act, and feel and what we can do about it, and 3.) how power and privilege may manifest in the workplace. Firms may sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 workshops.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your firm’s awareness and foster a more inclusive workplace. Learn more or schedule a workshop by emailing info@aiapgh.org.

EDI Calendar of Observances

AIA Pittsburgh’s EDI Community is now sharing a small monthly sampling of diversity and inclusion observances to the Pittsburgh Community. We hope that by starting this initiative, we’ll inspire folks to embrace the richness of our diversity while creating an accepting space for all people. We encourage everyone to find ways to be involved, either by meaningful ways to participate within their own practice, or by learning more about each day’s significance. Check out the list of notable dates in March below!

April EDI Calendar

April is Diversity Month. It was initiated in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity of the world around us, and it is a time to recognize and understand our differences, be it gender, race, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation and other factors while honoring the common essence of humanity.

April 1 – Sizdah Bedar Iranian celebration, their last day of their New Year’s celebration. Learn more at: https://www.learnpersianonline.com/blog/persian-traditions-sizdah-bedar-13th-day-nowrouz/

April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day: Raises awareness for those with autism and seeks to improve their lives and acceptance in society. Learn more at: https://blog.stageslearning.com/blog/9-ways-to-celebrate-world-autism-day?hs_amp=true

April 22 – Earth Day: Holiday that applauds the planet we live on and all it does for us; Earth Day is observed by more than 192 nations. Learn more at: https://www.epa.gov/earthday

April 22 to April 30 – Passover: Passover or Pesach celebrates the freeing of enslaved Israelis. It is also known as the Festival of Unleavened Bread as Matzo or Matzah is eaten during Seder dinner. Learn more at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Passover

April 28 – Eastern Orthodox Palm Sunday. Learn more at: https://www.goarch.org/palmsunday

*Information courtesy of: DiversityResources.com

Loading…