Kimberly Dowdell

Last updated
Kimberly Dowdell
Born
Education Cornell University (BA), Harvard University (MPA)
Occupation Architect
Website https://www.kimberlydowdell.com

Kimberly Nicole Dowdell, AIA, originally from Detroit, Michigan, is a Chicago-based architect, real estate developer, and educator. [1] Dowdell is currently a principal at HOK's Chicago office, and she served as the 2019-2020 national president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). [2] [3] [4] [5] On June 15, 2022, Dowdell was elected as first vice-president and president-elect of the American Institute of Architects. [6] She will be the 100th president of the American Institute of Architects and the first Black woman to serve in the role. [7]

Contents

Early life and education

Dowdell grew up in Detroit. [8] Dowdell received a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University in 2006 and her Master in Public Administration from Harvard University in 2015. [3]

Career

When at Cornell in 2005, Dowdell co-founded the Social Economic Environmental Design (SEED) Network. [9] After Cornell, Dowdell worked at HOK's New York office in 2008 before transitioning to focus on real estate in 2011. [10]

After graduating from Harvard University in 2015, Dowdell worked for Detroit's Housing and Revitalization Department and in 2016 transitioned to working with Century Partners on equitable revitalization of the city's vacant lots. [1] Between 2016 and 2019, Dowdell taught architecture and urban planning at the University of Michigan. [1]

As a principal at HOK, Dowdell launched the HOK IMPACT program and co-chairs the Diversity Advisory across all of HOK's global offices. [10]

Awards and honors

Notable speaking events

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References

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  4. "Mission – SEED Network". seednetwork.org. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  5. "SEED Network – Social Economic Environmental Design". seednetwork.org. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  6. "Kimberly Dowdell elected AIA's 2024 president". aia.org. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  7. Woods, Cat (2023-02-20). "The Architect Using Design to Extend People's Lives". The Cut. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
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  9. "Kimberly Dowdell, AIA - AIA". www.aia.org. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
  10. 1 2 Fazzare, Elizabeth. "Meet The 36-Year-Old President Of The National Organization Of Minority Architects". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  11. "New trustees to join Cornell board". Cornell Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
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  14. "Corporate social responsibility, volunteering, mentoring and how to be a good neighbour". www.worldarchitecturenews.com. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  15. Dowdell, Kimberly (3 January 2018), Home Run Detroit , retrieved 2021-10-20