2020 Women in Real Estate: Alicia Bernardo, Project Architect a Gienapp Architects

Who inspired you to join the CRE Industry? My high school AutoCAD instructor. In my freshman year of high school, I was misplaced into an AutoCAD class. I remember looking around and realizing I was the only girl – it was uncomfortable! Once introduced to the curriculum, my instructor guided me through the beginner level of architectural design. After a few classes, I was invested and signed up for his next class. Noticing the effort that I put in, he encouraged me to pursue a career in architecture. 

What is the best advice you have received, and who was it from? My freshman studio instructor during our first day of class drew dollar signs on the white board. He told us, “If you’re in this industry for this (as he pointed to the dollar signs), you’re in the wrong industry. Make sure you love what you do because as designers you’re not going to get rich.”

What honor, achievement or recognition means the most to you and why? Becoming a registered architect has been a huge achievement in my life. Anyone who has taken the AREs, understands the hard work, time, and perseverance that is needed to pass all six exams. I was seven months pregnant for the last exam, with two children under five. As challenging as it was to balance family time and study time, I knew passing these exams would show my children how hard work pays off. A woman can do many things and this is just one of them.