Shannon Gathings, AIA

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"During a high school interview, Gathings was asked if she intended to\nleave Mississippi, a complex place with unique challenges, following her\ngraduation. Her answer was a resounding no, a reply based on her firm belief in\nher power to enact change. Since completing her studies at Mississippi State\nUniversity in 2010, she has worked at Duvall Decker Architects, rising to\nassociate in 2021. She has led some of the firm\u2019s most impactful projects,\nincluding the renovation of the Ellen Harris Center in Jackson, an important\nchildcare facility that serves the city\u2019s students and their families. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In her work for Duvall Decker, Gathings exemplifies leadership and\ningenuity well beyond her years. When the firm designed the new U.S. Courthouse\nin Greenville, Mississippi, she led the team that designed its interiors. Further\nafield in Malvern, Pennsylvania, she oversaw the extraordinary fine detailing\nfor the Selah House, a 2,200-square-foot home for a retiring doctor. Her broad skill\nset has made her a leader and teacher for all her colleagues."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"As Gathings began her professional career, she also became involved\nwith AIA Mississippi, becoming associate director before fully understanding\nwhat the role entailed. Since then, she has held a wide array of leadership\nroles, including chapter president in 2018. As associate director, she founded\nthe chapter\u2019s emerging professionals group to better connect the state\u2019s\nassociate and young architect members. Later, as communications director, she\nimplemented a digital infrastructure that delivered quality content that\nsustained member engagement. Her quarterly newsletters and annual\nyear-in-review publication were instrumental in reconnecting a disjointed\ncommunity of architects across the state. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In her executive leadership roles for AIA Mississippi, Gathings\ncarefully navigated the challenges of meeting members\u2019 needs with limited\noperational budgets. Despite the obstacles, she organized and programmed the\n2015 Mississippi Celebrates Architecture Symposium and the chapter\u2019s 2017\nannual convention in New Orleans. On the national level, she has represented\nthe chapter at numerous AIA Grassroots events and served on the 2019 Diversity\nPipeline and National Representation Task Force. Gathings and her peers shaped\nNext to Lead, a program that envisions sustainable pathways to leadership for\nethnically diverse women based on the specific barriers they face. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"By opting to remain in\nMississippi, a place she cares deeply about, Gathings has committed to serving\ncommunities in need and bringing those who exist in the margins closer to the\ncenter. A tireless advocate for improving equity in the profession, Gathings is\nengaged in vital work that will lead to a better future for all."]]]]}