Colleen Wadeson

I attribute my success to passion, perseverance, and a commitment to life-long learning. I believe that obstacles can become opportunities and an attitude of gratitude is the dynamic fuel that energizes me through both the positive days and the more difficult and discouraging days . A hopeful perspective, exercising resilience through challenges, and a purposeful work ethic are key factors in achieving my goals. From my childhood through college years, my family lived in five different states in the mid-west, south, and Pacific Northwest. Curiosity, a love for travel, and the delight in establishing connections has continually fueled my capacity to simply go and grow.

The best career advice I’ve received to date - beyond the context of a title-role-position-industry - is from the perspective that our individual life is our greatest work, our most enduring masterpiece to chisel-sculpt-refine-create. One of my favorite quotes by Michelangelo inspires me to remember this perspective: "I saw the angel in the marble and I carved to set it free."

Through our life and in our careers, it is imperative to cultivate a positive mindset, and to choose to rise and shine every day!

For young women entering architecture as an emerging professional, my advice is to be curious, confident, and courageous! Focus on all aspects of your architecture education - college through career - for the world is your classroom. Invest time learning and developing competencies in the technical and creative aspects of the design profession; tools and technologies are constantly changing. Connect with other women in the AEC (Architecture-Engineering-Construction) industry through professional organizations and local groups; build a solid network of support. Seek out opportunities for mentorship with seasoned colleagues and work toward licensure sooner than later as a sustainable investment in your career. Travel extensively for inspiration and exposure to the uniqueness of architecture and building in diverse regions and cultures. Continually nurture your passions, interests, and creative pursuits as a foundation to flourish through the challenges and competitive rigor within the design profession.

Values that are most important to me, professionally and personally, are creativity, excellence, gratitude, integrity, respect, responsibility, and vision. These values guide my decisions, shape my relationships, and contribute meaningful impact in my work and life. Communication with empathy, honesty, and humility is essential in establishing connections, building trust, and positively influencing collaborations.