Empowering Equitable Architecture: Yiselle Santos Rivera on Diversity, Inclusion, and Innovative Spaces
It'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 guiding organizations toward greater diversity and inclusivity. Yiselle's accolades include co-founding the Latin American Interior Designers, Engineers, and Architects (LA.IDEA) DC Committee, and founding "Women Inspiring Emerging Leaders in Design" (WIELD). She is also a prolific speaker and author, having contributed to the book "Latinas in Architecture: Stories of Raising the 1% one Latina at a Time". Recognized for her exceptional leadership, Yiselle received the 2018 AIA Associate Award and the 2022 AIA Young Architect Award. Currently, she serves as the AIA DC Chapter Board 2022 Vice President/2023 President-Elect and holds the NOMA Chair of Research and Development, continuing her impactful journey in championing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field of architecture.
In this episode, we uncover:
Don't miss this incredible episode as Yiselle discusses her background and journey to her current role. She shares how her experiences growing up in Puerto Rico and her passion for community engagement led her to a career in architecture. Yiselle emphasizes the importance of celebrating and acknowledging race and differences in the workplace, and she discusses how organizations can improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She also highlights the need for intentionality and going beyond surface-level gestures when it comes to diversity and inclusion. Yiselle shares her perspective on obstacles and the importance of curiosity in her work. She concludes by discussing the changes she would like to see in the architecture industry, including a greater emphasis on questioning and innovation.
Mentioned in this episode:
Yiselle Santos Rivera
🎧🌟 Don't forget to rate and review this episode to support the best in podcasting! 🌟🎧
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.
If you have a story about art, culture, or community in Baltimore, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on "The Truth In This Art" podcast. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the arts and culture podcast scene and showcase your insights on "The Truth In This Art" with Rob Lee.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.
Support the show:
Merch from Redbubble | Make a Donation
★ Support this podcast ★
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free