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"Rooms like this shift the narrative." - Attendee
In collaboration with Santander, we hosted a truly inspiring day that brought together thought leaders from some of the most forward-thinking organisations. The event shone a spotlight on diverse career pathways in architecture while amplifying the voices of women who are redefining the future of the industry. From bold conversations to practical insights, it was a day filled with energy, inspiration, and moments that left a lasting mark on everyone in the room.
“Close your eyes and imagine your day…”
That’s how Jamie Mackenzie (FCIM) opened his talk and it quickly became one of the most talked about sessions at the Women Who Architect Summit.
He walked us through the simple yet profound idea that every communication is a story. From childhood to career shifts, even a job interview that hinged on a Brussels sprout anecdote🥦 and how that moment landed him a role.
🌟Key Takeaways from Jamie’s Spotlight Talk:
Every communication is a story. You’re always telling one, consciously or not.
Connection beats perfection. Jamie got a job by being himself, not by over-polishing.
Know your audience, tailor your message for maximum impact.
Confidence grows with authenticity, vulnerability is part of strong leadership.
Poor communication can break a team just as quickly as great communication can build one.
Breaking through the invisible and visible walls that still exist in architecture and tech
Moderated by the incredible Sheena Patel, who shared from the heart and guided the conversation with care in our panel session, told a powerful story of how Allyship matters and how encouragement can change lives. Our panellist shared key insights:
(Group Chief Architect, Aviva)
Even if you don’t feel confident, act like you are, because people respond to what you project.
Walk into leadership roles and own the space, even when you are the only woman in the room.
Use the 10–2–1 approach: meet 10 people, find 2 who get it, and 1 that helps you grow. Build allies intentionally. Relationships are everything.
🗣️ “Nobody is going to offer you a seat at the table. If you want it, go grab it.” ~Debs
(CISO and Advisory Board Member)
Someone saw something in you, don’t lose sight of that.
Value your expertise, be curious, and uplift others.
Introduced the 3 C’s: Confidence, Capability & Curiosity
Soft skills and emotional intelligence help diverse teams thrive.
🗣️ “Mentoring isn’t about seniority. It’s about connection and growth.” ~Cheryl
(Head of Data and AI Architecture, Santander)
Today you’re in the audience. Tomorrow, you might be on the panel, be ready.
Diverse voices are very important in shaping impactful architecture teams.
Women and underrepresented folks should own their knowledge, even if they’re still learning.
Confidence grows through effort.
🗣️ “Be brave enough to be seen learning.” ~Antonio
Confidence + practice = better negotiation results
Negotiation is an essential skill for every architect and our Confidence in Negotiations Workshop was a great step forward for our community. In small groups, participants role-played two scenarios:
1. Asking for visibility and recognition
2. Pitching a change and asking to lead it
This hands-on approach brought to life how to clearly communicate your value, handle pushback, and build confidence in advocating for yourself and your ideas.
Key takeaways from the workshop:
Confidence + practice = better negotiation results
Prepare before, stay calm during, and reflect after every negotiation
Use clear frameworks to know what you want, why it matters, and your “walk away” point
Small, everyday negotiations add up to big wins over time
Breathing, resting, and self-care are essential parts of success
The energy was high, the exercises fun, and the lessons real. A huge thanks to our amazing facilitator Stefania Chaplin for guiding us through this empowering experience!
Sometimes the biggest leap is simply saying yes to the opportunity in front of you.
In our fireside chat, hosted by Jaisal, Fiona Power and Shikha Merchant shared bold, practical lessons on what it really means to lead in architecture today.
Fiona Power
(Head of Architecture - Homes Domain, Santander)
Soft skills are not “extra” they’re career accelerators.
You don’t need to know everything to step into leadership. Mindset and adaptability open doors.
Visibility matters: say yes, then grow into the role.
(Principal Architect - Digital Services, Royal London)
Curiosity is your edge in the AI era. Keep breaking problems down and asking better questions.
Complexity is where architects thrive, embrace it rather than shy away.
Leadership is about people first: guiding, listening, and creating clarity.
Who knew Lego could be a tool for transformation?
Attendees got hands-on with Lego to build and share their personal and community impact pledges. The laughter, creativity, and shared commitment in that room were contagious. These colourful bricks helped us visualise how small, individual actions come together to create meaningful change.
Huge thanks to Libby Hallows for leading this brilliant session and giving the event a powerful close.
Closing on a Z-elfie!
From the calibre of conversations to the energy in the room, the honest stories, the connections, and the community; it all came together in the most incredible way.
Thank you to every single person who showed up, shared, listened, and helped make this day unforgettable. 💖
A huge thank you to our host and collaborator Women Who Architect at Santander UK, especially Taylor Madonna Dowding & team.
Our signature Z-elfie (Czarina selfie), taken by founder Shana Dacres-Lawrence
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