EDI Community

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

Founded in 2019, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee promotes, advocates for, and creates opportunities for greater equity, diversity, and inclusivity in architecture practice.

The EDI Committee uses the following to describe and define equity, diversity, and inclusion in practice:

  • Equity – is allocating resources to ensure every practitioner has access to the same opportunities and outcomes.
  • Diversity – Mix of different kinds of people. Identity markers include gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability.
  • Inclusion – Creates an environment in which everyone can contribute to discussions and decision-making equally and have the ability to help change systems.

E.D.I. Committee’s Mission (2026) :

We seek to advance equity, diversity, and inclusivity issues within the architecture profession. The committee can find itself most productive as a body to listen and understand the deeper issues, facilitate and inspire commitment and action, develop programs and initiatives that influence mission-congruent decisions, and demonstrate progress through findings of measuring, reporting, and accountability tools.

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

Committee Members

Lucia M Aguirre, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C | LGA Partners

2026 Co-Chair

Parva Markiw, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED Green Associate | DesignGroup

2026 Co-Chair

  • Jessie Catenacci-Morgan, AIA | Perkins Eastman
  • Chuck Coltharp, AIA | Gensler
  • Stuart Coppedge, FAIA | Desmone Architects
  • Melanie Buzgan Dower, AIA | Rothschild Doyno Collaborative
  • Huma Husain, Assoc. AIA | University of Pittsburgh
  • Leah Johnson, NOMA | Perkins Eastman
  • Sameedha Mahajan, Assoc. AIA | HDR
  • Parva Markiw, AIA | DesignGroup
  • Brenna Martin-Shaffer, AIA | Gensler
  • Katelyn Rossier, AIA | SmithGroup
  • Rebecca Schwartz, AIA | Michael Baker Intl.
  • Robert Tarasovich, AIA | Larson Design Group
  • Marco Virgili, AIA | Strada
  • Alicia Volcy, NOMA | Studio Volcy

2026 Goals

Develop and implement programs to raise awareness about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in architecture.

 

Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging that encourages learning, dialogue, and mutual respect.

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Provide resources and opportunities for professional growth and development for all members, focusing on underrepresented groups.

Encourage and support inclusive practices within architectural firms and organizations.

Strengthen community engagement and partnerships to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the broader community.

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.

July EDI Calendar

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 July below!

July is Disability Pride Month which celebrates the nearly 1 billion disabled people worldwide. In the United States, nearly 15% of the population identifies as disabled. It aims to end the stigma of disability and to promote the idea that it is a normal part of human diversity. Learn more at: https://thearc.org/blog/why-and-how-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month/

July 2 – Civil Rights Act of 1964: On this day, the Civil Rights Act was signed into law. This historic legislation prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, schools, and the workplace. Learn more at: https://www.npr.org/2014/07/02/327686138/at-50-the-civil-rights-act-creates-opportunities-for-all-americans

July 2 – Thurgood Marshall’s Birthday: The day Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and civil rights activist Thurgood Marshall was born. Learn more at: https://www.naacpldf.org/about-us/history/thurgood-marshall/

July 4 – Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America. Learn more at: https://www.history.com/articles/july-4th

July 6 – Dalai Lama’s Birthday: The day that Tibet’s leader in exile and Nobel Peace Prize recipient was born. Learn more at: https://www.dalailama.com/

July 14 – International Non-Binary People’s Day: Established in 2012, this day was selected to raise awareness of the challenges faced by non-binary individuals and to celebrate the rich diversity of gender identities outside the traditional male/female binary . Learn more at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Non-Binary_People%27s_Day

July 18 – Nelson Mandela’s Birthday: Nelson Mandela served as South Africa’s first black president and was a strong civil rights leader. Learn more at: https://www.nelsonmandela.org/biography

July 26 – Americans with Disabilities Act: This law protects people with disabilities from being discriminated against. Learn more at: https://adaanniversary.org/

*Some information courtesy of: DiversityResources.com

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