AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable Co-Chairs (left) Alyssa M. Mitchell, AIA, NOMA, LEED Green Associate, Joy Dayaw, RA, NOMA, and Kenneth Nti, AIA
“Real progress starts at a personal level. People must choose to build relationships with those who do not look like them or live like them.”
– WT Associate, Alyssa M. Mitchell
In celebration of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting AIA Seattle’s Diversity Roundtable (DRT), a group that has for decades amplified underrepresented voices in architecture and created space for connection, mentorship, and meaningful dialogue. In this Q&A, we meet DRT’s Committee Chairs, Alyssa M. Mitchell, Joy Dayaw, and Kenneth Nti, who lead the group’s work and share their perspectives.
What does being part of the DRT mean to you, and what drew you to it?
Alyssa: I joined DRT in 2022 after my colleague and mentor, Susan Frieson, introduced me to the group when I first moved to Seattle. I was immediately welcomed and found community and support through the group.
Joy: I joined DRT as a Committee Co-Chair in September 2025. Alyssa, Kenneth, and a previous Co-Chair member, Rio Namiki, welcomed me to the group and showed me how DRT can engage with the local architecture community.
Kenneth: It means continuing an initiative that has always found a way to amplify the many groups of people represented within the AEC industry. Through discussions and celebrations, we try to highlight the remarkable people who represent more than themselves as the profession evolves.
What’s one moment from your work with DRT that stands out to you?
Alyssa: During my first year as co-chair, we hosted DRT’s annual Solstice celebration with an art exhibit titled “Anything but a Building.” It was inspiring to see the creative range of people in our field. The event brought together designers, friends, and family. It reminded me that architecture is rooted in creativity and expression.
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Kenneth: Organizing DRT’s annual Solstice events. We try to find ways to make our community the focal point, where people can express themselves through creativity or art which has been exciting to see over the past few years.
Joy: We recently partnered with UW NOMAS for their Black History Month event, “Spill the Tea,” where students could have candid conversations with working professionals about life after school. DRT helped enlist professional volunteers, allowing students to have 1-on-1 conversations and creating an environment where organic mentorship could form between both groups.
The “Spill the Tea” event in collaboration with UW NOMAS brought together meaningful conversations and 1-on-1 mentorship opportunities.
The DRT was created to amplify underrepresented voices in our industry. What conversations do you think we need to be having more often today?
Alyssa: The profession needs to more directly confront the lack of diversity in senior firm leadership. This is an issue that will take time to resolve, but architecture shapes communities across race, class, and culture. Leadership in design should reflect the people we design for. Representation at decision-making levels is not symbolic; it is structural.
Joy: We need to see more diversity at the leadership level. There is currently a lack of representation for minority and BIPOC voices at the table, even though we make up over 40% of architecture licensure candidates. How can we increase our representation at the leadership level if they are not able to hear what we say?
Kenneth: I think we should be asking: What is architecture going to look like with the world changing? Are we preparing students for the future of the profession?
As those conversations continue, what does real progress look like to you beyond statements and good intentions?
Alyssa: Real progress starts at a personal level. People must choose to build relationships with those who do not look like them or live like them. Creating a diverse group of friends and colleagues allows people to have more insight into the present issues of others, which builds accountability. That accountability is then the basis of meaningful change on the institutional and systemic level, where meaningful progress can take place.
Joy: Real progress can happen when people actively engage in the community. It’s one thing to listen, but it’s more powerful to take the actionable steps in bettering the community through volunteering, mentorship, and connecting groups with similar missions.
Kenneth: Continuing to remind ourselves that actions complete the ideas we carry. Planning and laying a strong foundation is where many of us start, but the proof comes to life when people and communities benefit from those actions.
Looking ahead, what’s coming up for the DRT that you’re excited about?
Alyssa: This year, DRT is focused on elevating the work of AEC professionals from diverse backgrounds. We want to create a space for people to share their work, build visibility, and develop confidence in their voice within this industry. Access to platforms is important for professional growth, and I am excited to help create that opportunity for others.
Joy: We are starting to plan our annual Solstice event for 2026. This is my first year helping plan the event, and we are hoping to fill it with an interactive program, giving room for attendees to participate in the event. Look out for more info on the event coming up in June!
Kenneth: Our Women’s History Month panel at Weber Thompson’s office on March 3, where industry leaders will share personal journeys and experiences connected to work and life in architecture and interiors, is something I’m especially excited about. Another event I’m looking forward to is enjoying our Social Hour on April 15. It’s become a casual forum where ideas turn into conversations and, through collaboration, often grow into the events we choose to put on throughout the year.
Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Alyssa: Creating community only enhances our lives as professionals, colleagues, and friends. I am deeply grateful to be a part of a group that intentionally brings people together, and I encourage anyone interested in joining to reach out.
Joy: Anyone interested in DRT can join our monthly meetings. It’s a casual way to be part of the discussion and see how we prioritize community over committee.
Visit AIA Seattle’s Diversity Roundtable Committee page for more info about how you can get involved and follow them on Instagram to stay in the know!
About the Diversity Roundtable Co-Chairs
Alyssa M. Mitchell, AIA, NOMA, is a licensed architect in Seattle with a passion for affordable housing, culturally impactful design, and higher education. An Associate at Weber Thompson, she leads design development, technical documentation, and construction administration on mid-rise residential projects. Alyssa is Co-Chair of AIA Seattle’s Diversity Roundtable and mentors through NOMA’s HBCU Professional Development Program and Project Pipeline. She has served on design juries, panels, and career-focused workshops. An alumna of Carnegie Mellon University, she is an emerging leader and speaker on licensure, equity in practice, and leadership in architecture, guided by a commitment to mentorship, community, and design excellence.
Kenneth Nti, AIA, is a Seattle-based designer with a focus on adaptive reuse, context-driven architecture, and urban design. A Designer II at AECOM on the West region Building + Places team, his projects include SeaTac Airport. Kenneth serves as Co-Chair for AIA Seattle’s Diversity Roundtable and has held roles as Emerging Professional Chair for AIA Seattle, Seattle Design Festival Committee member, and President of the NOMA Student Organization at the University of Washington. He is committed to promoting the groups that helped him grow, building mentor and peer connections, and supporting initiatives that shape the profession for a better future.
Joy Dayaw, RA, NOMA, is a licensed architect in Seattle specializing in retail and restaurant design. A Project Manager at MG2, she works with national retail and hospitality clients to design and deliver venues across the country. In 2024, Joy was named one of VMSD’s Designer Dozen, recognizing emerging designers under 35 worldwide, and she has been featured in Restaurant Development + Design magazine for her industry expertise. Joy serves as Co-Chair of AIA Seattle’s Diversity Roundtable and volunteers with AIGA Seattle’s LINK Program, mentoring high school students through creative workshops and leadership initiatives. Her passion for mentorship guides her work both inside and outside the office.