RIMiAD’s leadership team is made up entirely of volunteers from various design centered organizations around Rhode Island. Click on their names to learn more about the amazing individuals who keep RIMiAD running.
Moises Valcarcel Gonzalez (Job Captain at DBVW Architects)
Coming from Florida, I had always been surrounded by various diverse communities; being in Rhode Island, I struggled to find similar communities. The idea of RIMiAD for me began out of a personal desire to connect with other minority people in our field. RIMiAD creates an opportunity for people of various backgrounds to meet with no barriers to entry. By removing the barriers to entry, my hope is that our events grow to be a safe space for people to come and talk about whatever plagues their mind. RIMiAD is very important to me as it aims to build a visible network of people that will hopefully support the growth of diversity in design within Rhode Island.
Tami Hughes (Senior Associate at DBVW Architects)
I am filled with emotions as I look back at how the idea of holding these meetups started and where we are today. Seeing the connections that people make and the excitement on their faces as they converse is priceless. I leave each meetup feeling energized and elated at how we have come together and are forming our own community. This is a space that was missing in the Rhode Island community, and I am glad that we have been able to provide it. My hope is that RIMiAD will continue to grow and provide a safe space where we can gather and share our stories and wisdoms, support each other in our personal and professional development, and form a strong and diverse community of designers.
Jasmine Arndt (Job Captain at Aharonian & Associates)
In my first college after high school for architecture, I was one of only a handful of women in my field, in any of my classes. Looking back I think I only had one female professor, and she was known as the 'eccentric' one because she was so passionate about her job. Going to Roger Williams I saw a slight change; I saw more women in the program and teaching the classes, but It was still seen and run like a 'male-dominated profession'. When my friend approached me with the idea of starting this organization I was so excited and hopeful. Going to the meetups, and meeting other women and LGBTQ+ in the field, and not just architecture, but engineering, construction, and design, gives me so might hope for the future. And I am proud that I get to be a part of this and give hope to others in this profession.
Evelyn X. Ehgotz (Designer at Union)
I went to the first RIMiAD Meetup because it was close to my office and I wanted to check out the local professional orgs; I volunteered because it was such a good turnout and the energy was incredible. I met other designers who shared common values, students and professionals whom I would otherwise probably never have crossed paths with. As a half-Viet lesbian from Michigan, I have found a network of similar, like-minded peers who are inspiring and who I can have important (and fun) conversations with. I want to help the organization grow, to empower others to speak, and to inspire students to stay in their fields and help them to succeed.
Joanna Grocott (Architect at Signal Works)
I believe representation matters. This isn't a new or original thought, many others have know that seeing some facet of yourself represented can be extremely important. To know someone else similar to you is thriving in a profession or a craft makes it a lot easier to see yourself doing the same. I had not felt the extent of how powerful that representation could be, or how much I was missing it, until I went to my first RIMiAD meet up. The instant baseline of community and support was unlike anything I had been a part of. It brought into focus that I needed to see versions of myself in my profession. RIMiAD also made me aware that I could be that representation for someone else on a similar path, and because of that it was important to me to volunteer my time. To help in the small ways to make sure that RIMIAD will continue to be a place for anyone who is looking to see an underrepresented facet of themselves in others. Seeing how much we have done and grown in the past year I look forward to all we have in store for the RIMiAD community in the coming year.
Karin Hirose (Designer at LLB Architects)
I spent most of my professional experience working with clients in traditionally masculine cultures abroad while working with team members with diverse backgrounds. As a young professional, reaching out for help outside of the existing connection was not in the line of thinking, and reflecting on the problems with the internal team needed to be more healthy and constructive. This raised my awareness of the social importance of a safe space and the opportunity to connect beyond traditional professional groups. Joining RIMIAD was the perfect opportunity for me to contribute to support the field that was missing. Forming a structure that supports, connects, and provides existing and soon-to-be professionals will provide more healthy options to those in need.
Pedro Ortiz (Job Captain at DBVW Architects)
When I was approached about the formation of this organization, I was excited about the opportunity to connect with a new group of diverse designers like me. Growing up I never noticed nor had an issue with being the minority in my chosen field path, but as an adult that became harder to do. RIMiAD’s goal to shine a light on minorities in the design and architectural fields is such a breath of fresh air. I hope that we can keep growing and help empower more people to join and share their stories with others like them. On top of all that, we want to become more visible so that we can show children and teens that there are people that look like them in these fields and that it is possible to be successful in the fields that may have felt unattainable.
Julia Reinalda (Design Director at Taste Design Inc)
I met Moises and Tami after participating in DesignxRI’s EQUITYxDESIGN cohort. During my time in that program, I focused on understanding the obvious lack of diversity in my field, interior design. I believe that a critical first step to change this is for established designers and allies to dedicate themselves to opening pathways into the industry. I am thrilled to be a part of RIMiAD to connect and network with the minority design community. RIMiAD’s passion to support and grow this community makes me excited for the future of design in Rhode Island.
Carson Smith (Designer at Union)
I moved to Rhode Island from Virginia after graduating from college in May 2022. Still relatively new to the area, I decided to attend the first Minority Meet up last November to meet new people and possibly connect with other LGBTQIA+ people in architecture. After hearing Moises speak about why he and Tami had started RIMiAD and what he hoped it could become, I was inspired to volunteer. RIMiAD’s vision to create a space that brings minority groups together to learn from each other, to support each other, and to empower each other is important; this space did not exist in Rhode Island before RIMiAD. By connecting and empowering these groups, RIMiAD can help ensure that the design of the built environment is informed by a professional community that reflects the diversity of the state and creates welcoming places for everyone, especially those who have been excluded in the past.
Brianna Valcourt (M'Arch. Graduate from Providence)
As a recent graduate with a Masters in Architecture, I decided to volunteer with RIMiAD because I believe in its mission. I feel personally connected to this platform we are creating for underrepresented individuals like myself to enter and thrive in the architecture and design fields. RIMiAD has lit a new spark in my architecture journey by connecting me with a wider network of like-minded individuals who share my passion for diversity and inclusion. In the next year, my goals are to help RIMiAD expand its reach, engage with more aspiring professionals, and personally improve my leadership skills. I am motivated by using my voice to support individuals, interested in architecture or design, who may not have had the same opportunities as others due to systemic barriers. Since my involvement with RIMiAD, I take pride in our effort to raise questions and highlight minority voices to showcase the power of diversity in design. The alignment of my values as a designer with the RIMiAD mission has been incredibly rewarding.