Women of Wold: Spotlight on Paige Sullivan

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we talked with several of our talented female leaders about their careers, sources of inspiration and much more

Women’s History Month is a time to intentionally shine a light on the incredible women who contribute to the success of our work and team at Wold Architects and Engineers, whether they are leading and mentoring colleagues or serving clients and delivering impactful results. This month, we are featuring women across the company who have made a difference in the lives of those around them. These women share personal stories about who has inspired them and how they strive to advocate for others.

In our seventh installment of the series, Government Leader Paige Sullivan discusses why women must develop the courage to find their voice and the value of different perspectives. As an architect on Wold’s Government team, Paige has a passion for public safety. She works closely with clients to understand the challenges of their jobs and daily needs and strives to solve those issues through functional design.

Why is Women’s History Month important to you?

As a woman in a traditionally male-led field, it is important to reflect on how we got here and where we want to go in the future. Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions of women before us and should also serve as a driver to push us further into the future.

Is there a woman in your life who inspires you? If so, who is she and how has she made you better?

Both my mother and my grandmother have been great inspirations to me throughout my life. I am fortunate to come from a long line of driven and dedicated women who have taught me the work ethic that I have relied on to get me where I am today.

Tell us about your current role and how you’re making an impact on other women around you.

My current role is in project management with expertise in public safety facilities, a field where women are also underrepresented. I strive to bring female voices to the forefront and create equitable solutions for all of our partners.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge (and thus, greatest opportunity) for women in the field, and how might you approach the solution?

Being a woman in this field often means being the sole female voice at the table. This can be a challenge and requires courage to find your voice, but it also gives us the opportunity to provide a different perspective. Influence from diverse stakeholders is what’s needed for successful and forward-thinking design.

The solution is to keep showing up, speaking up, and encouraging the next generation of female leaders to keep fueling the fire.

What is your proudest accomplishment and why?

My proudest accomplishment (so far) has been becoming a licensed architect. It was a goal I set for myself long before I fully understood what it would take to achieve. The journey has taught me a lot about who I am. Reaching that goal has now opened doors to new opportunities and goals for the future.