The inaugural Emerging Leader Award recognizes early career architects who have had an impact through an innovative project or initiative. The 2022 Making Waves Awardee is Ingedia Sanchez, AIA, NCARB, LEED, Associate Architect at SOM and Director and Past President of Arquitectos – The Society of Hispanic Professional Architects. As Director, Sanchez supports members on their path to licensure to increase licensed Latino and Hispanic architects, collaborates with professional organizations to bring the architectural community together, and advocates for the elevation of Latino and Hispanic designers into leadership positions. Sanchez is also a passionate mentor for university students and young professionals, and frequently guest lectures, leads project critiques, and coordinates firm tours and portfolio reviews.
Since joining SOM in 2003, Sanchez has been involved with several distinct projects in the US, Middle East, Europe and Asia, including the Burj Khalifa, 401 Wabash Tower, Tower 535, Roche AMF, Hangzhou Gate, and the O’Hare International Airport Expansion. Sanchez is motivated by sustainability and high-performance design, which she incorporates into her building enclosure expertise and holistic design approach.

ABOUT THE AWARD

Established in 2022, the Chicago Women in Architecture Making Waves Award recognizes early career architects who have had an impact through an innovative project or initiative.

ABOUT CWA AND CWAF
CWA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1974 to establish community, mentorship, visibility, and advocacy for women working in the field of architecture and related professions. Through the ongoing efforts of the entirely volunteer-led organization, this mission is realized by offering educational, professional, and social networking events; organizing and sponsoring lectures in partnership with like-minded organizations; and awarding annual scholarships to women architecture students in their final year of study.

In 2003, CWAF was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Today, CWAF continues its support of CWA initiatives by raising funds to expand scholarship offerings as well as fundraising for events and special projects that further the careers for women in and around the field of architecture.