Experience the industry’s premier event dedicated to accelerating women into leadership positions in architecture, design, and the allied building industries. 

WLS 2024 is three days of networking, education, community, and inspiration designed to change the workplace experience and help create gender equity for women in AEC.

It’s powered by the AIA community, the AEC industry’s largest network of women, and our event sponsors—architecture firms and building product manufacturers who support gender equity and want to help women succeed. 

Event highlights

  • An unrivaled keynote lineup including Kimberlé Crenshaw, Sumayya Vally, Natasha Engan, Gia Biagi, Ciere Boatright, RaMona Westbrook, AIA, Danielle Tillman, AIA, NOMA, Jen Johnson, Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, & Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA
  • Executive workshops with Karen Robichaud & Amanda Garner 
  • Mindfulness activities with Dr. Akua K. Boateng
  • Open Houses with Studio Gang &Chicago Architecture Center
  • Lunches at leading Chicago firms—including Perkins+Will, CannonDesign, & Epstein

2024 Theme: Building Resilience

WLS pushes boundaries and challenges traditional thinking to create change. This year’s theme, resilience, explores adapting to a constantly shifting landscape and persevering through tough times. 

We ask: How can we safeguard society’s health, safety, and welfare amid individual struggles? Where does our power lie? Are we identifying our own blind spots and biases? How does intersectionality reveal the skills needed for impactful change? Join and lean in.