Michelle Lanney, Associate, Architect at Amenta Emma Architects

How many years have you been in your current field? 8 years

What are you planning to do differently in 2020 to have a positive impact on your career? I would like to improve my collaboration skills and become better at navigating the many different personalities that may be a part of a single discussion. Understanding how to communicate information in different ways will be beneficial when trying to solve complex problems during design and construction. 

What would you tell your daughter about entering this profession? I would tell her to maintain her confidence and always be her own best advocate. Don’t let the preconceptions of others or the preconceptions about the industry negatively impact what you can do with your career. There is nothing wrong with being the first or only woman in the room. Let that type of diversity and those challenges empower your role and have a positive impact on the profession.