Connecting AEC Firms and Professionals with growth, well-being, and equity-centered workplace cultures.
Photo: Ashley Powell Photography
Hi! I’m an Architect in the Nashville area.
I’m advocating for better work cultures, practice management, and social justice across the country!
About Rachel
Photo: Ashley Powell Photography
Hi! I’m Rachel R Gresham, AIA, MBA, WELL AP, CDT. I’m a Registered Architect based in Nashville, TN responsible for designing and managing projects with a positive impact on the community. I’m a recent graduate of Belmont University where I earned my Master’s of Business Administration. During my studies, I completed independent research on the relationships between organizational structure and culture in the architecture industry. Keep scrolling to read the results!
My story has made me passionate about workplace cultures, life balance, practice management, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion imperatives. I love helping Emerging Professionals define their needs and wants in a place to work as well as helping firms understand that their structure and culture can be a strategic recruitment and retention tool. This passion led me to create a mentorship/advocacy program and consult for an Emerging Leaders curriculum at my last firm. We spend 40+ hours in our workplaces, therefore, it is important that the environment add joy and value to our well-being.
In the past, I sat on the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Architects Middle Tennessee Chapter where I co-chaired/co-founded the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (formerly Women in Architecture) Committee, working to provide resources for the advancement of its members and the profession. The committee is still working to challenge firms to make Middle Tennessee the most diverse and inclusive area to practice architecture in the country.
After a decade of practicing architecture and managing $40million+ construction projects, I’ve joined The American Institute of Architects National Component where I’m focused on providing business acumen programming and benchmarking resources for firms and individuals reaching for practice excellence. I’m excited to discover more ways I can further my advocacy efforts for firms and professionals looking to cultivate a life balance, optimize their professional practice, and folks identifying with underrepresented groups in the AEC industry.
Learn more about Rachel’s Work and what it can do for you:
Philosophy
The way we build is changing.
So are the places we make it happen…
You are a job seeker: What are your must-haves and deal-breakers in a workplace culture? How do you find a work culture that aligns with your career goals, values, and boundaries for a balanced life?
You are an AEC Firm Leader: Does your company desire to offer a well-rounded culture that supports and retains your highest achievers? How do you know what they are looking for or how their needs might change after year one?
I’m on a mission to change the places we spend more than 40 hours of our lives, starting with the environments in which we exercise our passion to create.
So what’s next?!
On the Engagements page, you’ll find links to hear more about my workplace culture philosophy and how it can help you.
Download my worksheet to get started discovering your workplace culture priorities.
Learn more about recognized org structures and how they impact your AEC firm’s culture over on the blog catalog.
Contact Me to start a conversation about your next event, webinar, discussion panel, or workshop.
Engagements
Photo: Timothy Niou (IG: @niou.photo, tniou.com | Young Architect (IG: @youngarchitectpdx, youngarchitect.com)
2024
Upcoming: Re:Form Tennessee Podcast
https://aiamidtn.buzzsprout.com/
2023
Tangents Podcast by Out of Architecture
Highlight Guest Topic: Transitioning from Architectural Practice to Serving the Profession
Listen Here (52:45)
ArcoMurray Women in Construction Celebration
Panel Moderator
2022
Context and Clarity Podcast
Panel Topic: “How to be in an office”
Watch the Panel
ArcoMurray Women in Construction Celebration
Panel Topic: Paths to Success in the Construction Industry
2021
AIA Winston-Salem
Presentation Topic: “Leveraging Culture to Attract Emerging Professionals”
Young Architect Winter Series
Workshop Topic: “From Toxic to Totally Healthy: How To Make a Successful Workplace Transition”
Explore YA Events: www.youngarchitect.com/series
2020
AIA ASPIRE Conference
Panel Topic: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Check out ASPIRE: https://aspirexp.com/
ACE @ HOME Digital Career Series
Panel Topic: Interviewing for High School Students
Watch on ACEmentortools.org
AIA Mid TN | EDI (formerly WIA) Committee
Mini Town Hall Series
Committee Chair and Facilitator
Topic 1: “Flexible Work Environments and Options”
Topic 2: “Benefits for Families and Intentional Mentorship”
Topic 3: “Diversity in Leadership and Bias”
Emma Talks Architecture | YouTube Channel
Interview Topic: “Using Your Boundaries to Find the Right Workplace”
Watch the Interview on YouTube
Young Architect Podcast | Episode 097
Interview Topic: “5 Aspects of Workplace Culture”
Listen to the Podcast
AIA Middle TN Chapter Meeting
Presentation Topic: Women in Architecture Committee - “Designing an Equitable Profession”
2019
Young Architect Conference
Keynote Speaker: ”Knowing Your Boundaries, Finding the Right Fit”
Workshop Topic: ”So You’re Licensed, Now What?”
Private ARE Study Group
Interview Topic: ”My ARE Journey and Career Post Licensure”
Authorship
Examining Gender Disparity in Middle Tennessee
This white paper is the result of research conducted by the AIA Middle Tennessee Women in Architecture committee. It uses Foresight exercises to determine trends in the profession as led by women members of the Chapter.
Co-Author: Halie Chandler, AIA
Copyright: American Institute of Architects
Relationships Between Organizational Structure and Organizational Culture in Architecture
Executive Summary: Coming Soon!
This independent study performed during my graduate studies unpacks various theories and frameworks of organizational culture. Then, it examines how structural frameworks inform culture in firms across the country through interviews. Finally, it suggests considerations to firms interested in prioritizing culture while navigating the nuances of architectural business management.
Sponsoring Professor: Dr. Lee Warren
Testimonials
“Rachel’s amazing Keynote had valuable and useful information. I mean the stuff you can put into use today in the workplace.”
“Rachel’s Keynote helped me to realize that there are firms out there, even in my small town, that have the culture and employee value that I wanted.”
Photo: Timothy Niou (IG: @niou.photo, tniou.com | Young Architect (IG: @youngarchitectpdx, youngarchitect.com)
“I feel like I’m living a story very similar to Rachel’s right now and will be putting her worksheets to good use in my job search.”
Contact
