Connecting Through Change: Why This DEI Event Matters Now
By Talina Hansen
As I near the end of my term as Director of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee for the SMPS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, I'm excited to reflect on one of our most significant accomplishments: the charter of our first DEI Committee. With the support of our current board and Past President Justin Nagy, we formed this committee to start conversations, build connections, and create space for DEI initiatives within our chapter.
Now we're launching our first program: "Building an Inclusive Future: DEI Insights for the A/E/C Industry."
From the beginning, our vision for this program was to create a space for open dialogue and shared learning. With the political shifts and corporate responses to DEI efforts changing, we saw a growing need for a place where professionals could come together, be honest, and move forward with purpose.
We spoke with A/E/C professionals across the DEI spectrum. Some firms are expanding their initiatives, others are feeling fatigue or uncertainty, and many are looking for guidance in this complex and changing landscape. But across the board one common thread is the need for connection and shared understanding. This program was designed to meet that need, and we hope you will join the conversation.
As word began to spread about this event, something beautiful happened—colleagues started reaching out with genuine enthusiasm. The response was overwhelmingly positive, so much so that it opened the door to further expanding the conversation.
We’re thrilled to share that we’ve added a fourth speaker to our panel: A.L. Hu (they/them), Architect II at SmithGroup. A.L. is a transgender queer Taiwanese American architect, artist, and facilitator whose practice bridges spatial design with community organizing and justice work. They bring a unique and thoughtful perspective on how architecture can drive racial, class, and gender equity.
When I spoke with A.L. about joining, their enthusiasm was immediate and affirming. Hearing their excitement to be part of this panel was a powerful reminder of how necessary and timely this program truly is.
Together, our speakers represent a diverse and dynamic cross-section of DEI experience in A/E/C:
● Stacee Barkley (she/her), Global DEI Lead at DPR Construction, will share lessons from leading a comprehensive, enterprise-wide DEI strategy across a large organization.
● Tierney Azzopardi (she/her), Vice President of Human Resources at Blach Construction, will offer insights from a people-centered, culture-driven approach in a mid-sized firm.
● Aaron P. Silberman (he/him), Partner at Rogers Joseph O'Donnell, will provide legal insights grounded in current developments. He'll discuss the evolving legal landscape, federal guidance, and compliance considerations that A/E/C firms must navigate as they design and implement DEI strategies.
● A.L. Hu (they/them), Architect II at SmithGroup and JEDI Strategist, will bring their expertise in design justice, spatial equity, and community collaboration as pathways to inclusion within the architecture field.
Rather than a traditional panel, this event will be a facilitated conversation, encouraging audience participation, real-time exchange, and collective exploration of what it means to build inclusive, resilient workplaces in the A/E/C industry.
This program marks an exciting step forward for our chapter’s DEI efforts. It’s an opportunity to reflect on where we are, imagine what’s possible, and support one another in moving forward with purpose and compassion.
We hope you’ll join us for this important and timely conversation. Whether your firm is just beginning its DEI journey or seeking ways to reinvigorate its approach, you are welcome here. Together, we can build bridges, spark ideas, and shape a more equitable industry—one conversation at a time.
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