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Suman Sorg, FAIA; Dina Griffin, AIA; and Laura Meador, Assoc. AIA, speakers at the 2012 Women in Architecture Dinner

Suman Sorg, FAIA
Chief Designer, Sorg Architects
Washington, DC

Suman Sorg established her practice in 1986 and it has since become one of the largest woman-owned architecture firms in the United States. Sorg Architects offers architectural design, interior design, urban planning, historic preservation and construction management. Under Suman’s leadership the firm has amassed an extensive international portfolio of residential, commercial, educational, institutional and civic projects.

As Chief Designer, Suman inspires her project teams with a strong commitment to thoughtful modern architecture that explores spatial, material and visual experience.

Suman Sorg’s work has been recognized with numerous awards including 23 from the National American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Washington, DC and Potomac Valley Chapters. Suman has lectured extensively for the AIA, the National Building Museum, the Urban Land Institute, the State Department and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is frequently called upon to serve on design juries.

Dina Griffin, AIA, NOMA
President, IDEA
Chicago, IL

Dina Griffin’s experience includes municipal, corporate, multi-unit residential, retail, and banking projects. Dina is a past president of the Illinois Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects and a member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois and Chicago Chapters of the American Institute of Architects and is recent appointed board member to the Leadership Advisory Committee for the Art Institute of Chicago. As a woman of color in the field of architecture, Dina is a much sought after speaker and lecturer. She was honored to deliver the keynote speech at the 2010 School of Architecture Convocation Ceremony. She is a frequent presenter at several Career Day events where she introduces elementary and high school students to the profession of architecture. She also lectures on the field of architecture to college students across the country. As president of IDEA, Dina is also responsible for all management of the firm, administration of the project management website. Dina’s personal interests include tennis, aviation and computer graphics.

Laura Meador, Assoc. AIA
2011-2012 Vice President, American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)

Laura Meador is the 2011-2012 National Vice President of the American Institute of Architecture Students. A graduate of Louisiana State University, her leadership involvement started early in school through professional outreach to her community as President of both her AIAS Chapter and College of Art and Design. After serving as South Quadrant Director in 2010-2011, she was elected Vice President.

As Vice President, Laura focuses on educational issues as they pertain to emerging professionals by serving on the ACSA Board of Directors as the Student Director. She also works with the Intern Development Program Advisory Council to gear the program toward relevant material that inspires students to pursue licensure. As a member of the Council for Emerging Professionals, Laura works on behalf of the AIAS with the NAC and YAF to strengthen the successful progression of a student into licensure.