The American Institute of Architects’ Portland chapter this month will hold a one-day symposium on “the value of an equitable and inclusive workforce.”

The symposium, scheduled for May 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 721 N.W. Ninth Ave., will focus on how Portland design firms can attract and retain the best talent pool and provide equitable conditions where individuals can thrive.

Speakers will discuss how architects, designers and others can recognize people’s differences but still provide everyone fair access to opportunities. The symposium will also address how to promote a sense of collective ownership and vested interest in the worth of the architecture community.

Speakers will include Saskia Dennis-van Dijl, a principal at Cameron MacAllister Group; Hanna Richards-James, an owner and principal consultant at Fantail Collaborative; Amy Donohue, a principal at Bora Architects; and Denise Harrington, owner of DMH Consulting Group.

Richards-James will bring her expertise in marketing and business and organizational effectiveness to the discussion. Donohue has experience in designing spaces for higher education, the performing arts and collaborative work environments. Harrington will speak about women’s leadership trends and ways women are developing stronger leadership voices in the workplace.

The symposium will also include representatives from the Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Ecotrust and Deschutes Investment Consulting. Participants will also discuss case studies from Ankrom Moisan Architects, Carleton Hart Architecture and Opsis Architecture.

The event will conclude with a networking opportunity on the Ecotrust Building‘s rooftop terrace. For more information, visit .

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