Bergmann Architect Participates in Exclusive AIA Leadership Academy

Earlier this year Danielle Rupert, RA, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, a project architect working out of Bergmann’s Rochester office, was selected to participate in the inaugural class of American Institute of Architects’ AIA Leadership Academy. Rupert joins an elite class of 18 architects from across the United States. The group has been participating in retreats, classes and sessions since January.

The AIA Leadership Academy is the first program of its kind, created exclusively for architects by architects and designed to support those ready to progress to the next level in their firm, profession and community. Applications were received from architects across the country, with the final group of 18 selected in late 2019. The three-year program started in early 2020 and concludes in 2022.

Since the start of the year, Rupert has been working with a team of business experts, architects, company leaders and coaches through a series of retreats, virtual classes and individual sessions.

"It’s a really strong class that the AIA has right now, because the same leadership skills that apply to me also apply to a CEO,” said Danielle. “Though someone in that role might be more advanced in their career and managing different levels of people, I can still learn and apply those same skills in my own experiences. I’ve really enjoyed working with everyone and appreciate the broad experience levels of my classmates.”

Rupert is fully supported by Bergmann as she participates in the program, balancing project work with this opportunity. The resources and tools offered by the AIA Leadership Academy will help her build on strengths and further develop the skills necessary to be the next generation of leadership in both the firm and their profession. In addition, Rupert’s experience will help bring a fresh perspective to the firm through her individual learned experiences.

“We can all learn from this,” said Laura Cooney, AIA, NCARB, architectural discipline lead at Bergmann. “Danielle’s experience will be a great example for others to see how they can identify meaningful growth opportunities. It’s also a shared learning opportunity as she brings her individual learnings back to the rest of us. Her professional and personal growth will have a direct effect on the development of our team.”

The program kicked off in January 2020 with a retreat in San Antonio, Texas where Rupert met her fellow classmates and was presented with the first outside learning opportunity, to learn and apply the habits from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

The next retreat is planned for November, with virtual classes and classes and sessions in between touching on topics such as leadership effectiveness and business development. The program runs through 2022.