We are committed to hosting leading architects to share their work
with our community.
2017-2018 Events:
WIA RELOADED - Our opportunity to reload and re-envision the goals of WIA Upstate, an AIA knowledge group. Meet current WIA members, advocates, and potential new members in our area and contribute your voice to the new direction of WIA Upstate over wine and cheese. Together, we can shape our future.
Women Build Day- WIA Upstate volunteers with Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County on build sites helping local families achieve the dream of homeownership.
Book Club- We have had several monthly meetings where our members read and discuss selected books these range from 'Lean In' to the biography of Coco Chanel
ARE Study Group- Our members are at various states in their career development we have created an ARE study group to help motivate and encourage and share test taking techniques and topics
Brick Laying Seminar- Partnering with Spec4Direct and the McGee Brothers, we learned all about site mock ups and how to lay bricks!
Building Site tours- We've had the opportunity for some of our members to share their construction projects with the group and tour the facilities at various stages of construction.
Sip and Paint night-Channeling our creativity through another medium!
2016 Speakers:
"A Tale of Two Cities" a panel discussion featuring Rick Danner - Mayor of Greer, Wayne McCall - Mayor of Travelors Rest, and Lara Ashy - USDA.
2015 Speakers:
Northside Neighborhood Development, Spartanburg Presentation by William Gray and Tammie Cosich Hoy Hawkins
2014 Speakers:
A Panel Discussion on Economic Development in the Upstate featuring:
Patty Bock, Economic Development Director with the City of Spartanburg
Jennifer Miller, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer with Upstate SC Alliance
Nancy Whitworth, Director of Economic Development with the City of Greenville
Heather Jones, Chief Executive Officer with the Greenwood Partnership Alliance
Dr. Colleen Perry Keith, President of Spartanburg Methodist College
2013 Speakers:
Nika White, Greenville Chamber VP Diversity and Inclusion
Katherine Darnstadt, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Latent Design Founder and Principle Architect
2011-2012 Speakers:
Ulrike Heine, Clemson University School of Architecture
Gaye Garrison Sprague, At-Large Representative, City Council Greenville SC
Janet Marie Smith, LA Dodgers Senior VP, Planning and Development
2010-2011 Speakers:
Jeanne Gang, FAIA, Studio Gang Architects
Kathryn Clarke Albright, AIA, Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design
Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, Clemson University School of Architecture
Join the conversation for the WIA RELOADED event... our opportunity to reload and re-envision the goals of WIA Upstate, an AIA knowledge group. Meet current WIA members, advocates, and potential new members in our area and contribute your voice to the new direction of WIA Upstate over wine and cheese.
Together, we can shape our future...
2015-2016 Featured Artist: Sarah Mandell
Member Spotlight: Suzanne Childs, AIA
August 23, 2015
Check out our most recent Member Spotlight featuring architect Suzanne Childs of the Greenville firm Childs Architecture.
Sarah Mandell grew up in Maryland, inspired by just about everything, and when it came time to choose a career path, the choice was easy: commercial interior design. Sarah graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Environmental Design from Maryland Institute College of Art.
After a few years of contributing to the A & D industry, Sarah was enjoying the work immensely, but began to miss the fulfillment of creating with her hands, so she started a handmade jewelry business called Once Again Sam. By day, she worked as an interior designer, by night, a jewelry designer, and the two influenced each other in ways she never imagined.
In 2010, Sarah and her husband moved from the DC area to Greenville in search of a different pace of life. By this time, Once Again Sam had boomed from a simple side hobby to a successful small business, so Sarah began to balance her time more evenly between interior design and jewelry. Since relocating to the upstate, Sarah has worked for LS3P in the Worship Studio, assisting churches all over the country, and has continued to grow her small business.
WIA August Social
Event Date: Tuesday, August 4th, 2015
WIA Upstate will be hosting a social at The Community Tap on Tuesday, August 4th starting at 5 pm.
At the social, we will be discussing the WIA October Event.
It's going to be a great opportunity to socialize and network. We're looking forward to seeing you there!
AIA/WIA Spring Event
Event Date: Wednesday, May 13th, 2015
At the Spring AIA/WIA event, William Gray and Tammie Cosich Hoy Hawkins will be discussing the Northside Neighborhood Development in Spartanburg on Wednesday, May 13th at 12:00pm at Blues Boulevard Jazz.
WIA Social at SIP
Event Date: Tuesday, April 28th 2015
WIA Upstate will be hosting a social at SIP Wine Bar in Downtown Greenville on April 28th starting at 5 pm.
At the event, donations of business attire will be accepted to benefit Safe Harbor.
Come join us for a fun evening of socializing and networking!
WIA Social at Nosedive
Event Date: January 27, 2015
WIA Upstate will be hosting a social at Nosedive in Downtown Greenville on January 27 starting at 5 pm. Join us for an evening of networking, socializing and fun!
WIA Member Update: Kelly Moorhead
September 29th, 2014
WIA Young Office's Kelly Moorhead - From Greenville to the Top of Africa!
Kelly Moorhead, responsible for Business Development for Young Office had quite the experience this summer. Kelly traveled with Westminster Presbyterian Church to Embangweni, Malawi where her group worked at The Loudon Mission Station both in the hospital and the deaf school. Kelly then left for Arusha, Tanzania to begin climbing Mt Kilimanjaro which is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world at 19,341 ft. She summited Uhuru peak on the Shira route via Stella Point at 6:48 on August 8! Way to go to Kelly!
WIA/AIA Evening Event
Event Date: October 29th, 2014
Come join us on October 29th for a panel discussion on Economic Development in the Upstate. TIckets are available at:
WIA Social at SIP Wine Bar
Event Date: Aug. 6th, 2014
Come join us for networking, conversation and fun at the SIP Wine Bar in Downtown Greenville on Wednesday, August 6th from 5:30-6:30 PM!
2014-2015 Featured Artist Application
June 17th, 2014
For the opportunity to become the 2014-2015 WIA Featured Artist, complete the application found under the "Mentoring" tab.
WIA Member Spotlight: Brad Benjamin, AIA
June 17th, 2014
Check out the newest WIA Member Spotlight on architect Brad Benjamin of Radium Architecture.
Message from the WIA SC Upstate Chair
June 8th, 2014
It is hard to believe 2014 is half over. WIA has had an exciting year so far, and we are really looking forward to the second half of this year. We are busy planning our annual fall event and sincerely hope you all will join us. We would like to acknowledge our annual sponsors and express our deepest gratitude for their support. Without the generosity of our sponsors we could not accomplish any of our goals. With their support we are able to provide educational speakers, networking opportunities, internship and mentorship opportunities.
We are fortunate to continue growing our membership, sponsorship, and mentoring opportunities as well as advancing in our mission to create, support, and encourage diverse leadership in education, practice, and community. I am very grateful to our committee leaders and board for their involvement, time, energy, support, and effort. These extraordinary leaders in our community are an example of what incorporating diverse voices into an organization can do. They continue to encourage our growth and build momentum for our future success. Thank you!
-Darath Mackie,
Chair, WIA SC Upstate
Habitat for Humanity Build and Women's "How To" Frame a Wall Clinic
Event Dates: Saturday, April 30th, 2016 (HFH Build) and
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 (Women's Frame a Wall Clinic)
Join WIA at the Habitat for Humanity Women Build, which will be held on April 30th from 12pm-4pm. At the build, interior work such as trim work, attic hatch install, painting and possibly some other miscellaneous items will be completed. We will also take part in a women's "How To" Frame a Wall Clinic on Tuesday, April 26th from 6pm-7pm. Sign up at: http://habitatgreenville.volunteerhub.com/events/index
WIA October Event: Kate Schwennsen
Event Date: Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
Please join us 6 pm on Tuesday, October 20th at Zen in Downtown Greenville for the WIA/AIAG October Event featuring Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, Director + Professor, Clemson School of Architecture. Click on the Image above to Register!
2015-2016 Featured Artist: Sarah Mandell
Member Spotlight: Suzanne Childs, AIA
August 23, 2015
Check out our most recent Member Spotlight featuring architect Suzanne Childs of the Greenville firm Childs Architecture.
Sarah Mandell grew up in Maryland, inspired by just about everything, and when it came time to choose a career path, the choice was easy: commercial interior design. Sarah graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Environmental Design from Maryland Institute College of Art.
After a few years of contributing to the A & D industry, Sarah was enjoying the work immensely, but began to miss the fulfillment of creating with her hands, so she started a handmade jewelry business called Once Again Sam. By day, she worked as an interior designer, by night, a jewelry designer, and the two influenced each other in ways she never imagined.
In 2010, Sarah and her husband moved from the DC area to Greenville in search of a different pace of life. By this time, Once Again Sam had boomed from a simple side hobby to a successful small business, so Sarah began to balance her time more evenly between interior design and jewelry. Since relocating to the upstate, Sarah has worked for LS3P in the Worship Studio, assisting churches all over the country, and has continued to grow her small business.
WIA August Social
Event Date: Tuesday, August 4th, 2015
WIA Upstate will be hosting a social at The Community Tap on Tuesday, August 4th starting at 5 pm.
At the social, we will be discussing the WIA October Event.
It's going to be a great opportunity to socialize and network. We're looking forward to seeing you there!
AIA/WIA Spring Event
Event Date: Wednesday, May 13th, 2015
At the Spring AIA/WIA event, William Gray and Tammie Cosich Hoy Hawkins will be discussing the Northside Neighborhood Development in Spartanburg on Wednesday, May 13th at 12:00pm at Blues Boulevard Jazz.
WIA Social at SIP
Event Date: Tuesday, April 28th 2015
WIA Upstate will be hosting a social at SIP Wine Bar in Downtown Greenville on April 28th starting at 5 pm.
At the event, donations of business attire will be accepted to benefit Safe Harbor.
Come join us for a fun evening of socializing and networking!
WIA Social at Nosedive
Event Date: January 27, 2015
WIA Upstate will be hosting a social at Nosedive in Downtown Greenville on January 27 starting at 5 pm. Join us for an evening of networking, socializing and fun!
WIA Member Update: Kelly Moorhead
September 29th, 2014
WIA Young Office's Kelly Moorhead - From Greenville to the Top of Africa!
Kelly Moorhead, responsible for Business Development for Young Office had quite the experience this summer. Kelly traveled with Westminster Presbyterian Church to Embangweni, Malawi where her group worked at The Loudon Mission Station both in the hospital and the deaf school. Kelly then left for Arusha, Tanzania to begin climbing Mt Kilimanjaro which is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world at 19,341 ft. She summited Uhuru peak on the Shira route via Stella Point at 6:48 on August 8! Way to go to Kelly!
WIA/AIA Evening Event
Event Date: October 29th, 2014
Come join us on October 29th for a panel discussion on Economic Development in the Upstate. TIckets are available at:
WIA Social at SIP Wine Bar
Event Date: Aug. 6th, 2014
Come join us for networking, conversation and fun at the SIP Wine Bar in Downtown Greenville on Wednesday, August 6th from 5:30-6:30 PM!
2014-2015 Featured Artist Application
June 17th, 2014
For the opportunity to become the 2014-2015 WIA Featured Artist, complete the application found under the "Mentoring" tab.
WIA Member Spotlight: Brad Benjamin, AIA
June 17th, 2014
Check out the newest WIA Member Spotlight on architect Brad Benjamin of Radium Architecture.
Message from the WIA SC Upstate Chair
June 8th, 2014
It is hard to believe 2014 is half over. WIA has had an exciting year so far, and we are really looking forward to the second half of this year. We are busy planning our annual fall event and sincerely hope you all will join us. We would like to acknowledge our annual sponsors and express our deepest gratitude for their support. Without the generosity of our sponsors we could not accomplish any of our goals. With their support we are able to provide educational speakers, networking opportunities, internship and mentorship opportunities.
We are fortunate to continue growing our membership, sponsorship, and mentoring opportunities as well as advancing in our mission to create, support, and encourage diverse leadership in education, practice, and community. I am very grateful to our committee leaders and board for their involvement, time, energy, support, and effort. These extraordinary leaders in our community are an example of what incorporating diverse voices into an organization can do. They continue to encourage our growth and build momentum for our future success. Thank you!
-Darath Mackie,
Chair, WIA SC Upstate
