"The ability to build relationships and translate business needs into something you can execute against is a superpower that you should not take for granted."

Professional Bio
Rebecca Jeffs, PhD, heads up the Business Architecture Community at Affinity Reply. She is passionate about placing people and culture at the core of transformation, and is dedicated to delivering insights that drive meaningful impact. With over a decade of experience, Becca specialises in bridging the gap between strategy and execution, designing smart, scalable solutions to empower teams and enhance the way that organisations work. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture, and how has your journey been so far?

I fell into architecture, after realising that I thought differently to most of my previous colleagues. Even as a child, I wanted to understand the reason for pretty much everything (you can imagine how my parents felt about that), and that continued into my education and then into my career. I kept asking questions, challenging the status quo, and solving challenging problems. It was only after learning about TOGAF that I realised that there was a name for what I was doing! 

What skills and traits do you think make a great architect?
This centres around being naturally inquisitive, and having good stakeholder and communication management skills. The ability to build relationships and translate business needs into something you can execute against is a superpower that you should not take for granted. Turns out, not everyone can do it, let alone do it well. 

How do you navigate leadership, influence, and impact as a woman or ally in architecture?

Architecture is typically a male-dominated field, and there are both challenges and opportunities that come with this. For me, it starts with confidence, something I have never really found easy. But working at Affinity Reply has enabled me to really own my expertise, speak up, and ensure that my voice is heard at the table. Influence isn’t just about having authority, it is about building strong relationships, listening actively and driving collaboration. There is a real shortage of women in architecture, so the more we lift each other up, the stronger and more inclusive our field will become. 

What’s one myth about being a woman in architecture that you’d like to debunk?
Women do not have to be “one of the guys” to succeed. You absolutely do not need to adopt more stereotypically “masculine” leadership traits to build credibility. I believe in being your authentic self, and it is your authenticity that will drive your own success. My leadership style is focussed around collaboration, empathy and inclusivity, all of which have enabled me to successfully navigate complex business and technical transformations. 

What skills, tech, or certifications are you investing in this year, and why?
Formalising my experience through obtaining the BA Guild certification, and applying for CITP. 

How can leaders and organizations build a more inclusive pipeline for women entering and growing in architecture?
This is challenging as it starts right from grass roots, encouraging more young girls to study STEM subjects and giving them exposure to the sorts of careers this can lead to. Organisations need to address potential bias in job descriptions and avoid language that unconsciously discourages women from applying. 

And then once in the workplace, organisations should really focus on defining clear career paths, establish flexible work policies, enable parental leave, and appropriate return to work programs to retain women through different life stages. 

What future trends in architecture and technology should architects prepare for to stay ahead in the industry?

The obvious first answer is AI and automation. But the truth is any technical advancement has the ability to reshape business strategy. Business architects in particular should make sure they are technically fluent enough to remain relevant, this does not mean suddenly being fluent in cybersecurity or cloud, but knowing enough to understand the art of the possible. 

Connect with Becca on LinkedIn