Business Women Awards 2022
Outstanding Mentor Tami Hughes, DBVW Architects Inc.
Tami Hughes has always loved design.
During high school, she began studying structures and creating three-dimensional images in her head of friend’s and neighbor’s homes that she would visit.
Although originally thinking she would end up at an Ivy League school for college, a visit to the Rhode Island School of Design quickly changed that.
“When I visited RISD, I fell in love with the feel of the campus and Providence,” Hughes said. “I got to explore my creative side and had fun doing it.”
To gain as much architecture field exposure as possible, Hughes secured several internships during summer breaks and took every computer course she could find to sharpen her technical skills.
Now as a senior associate at DBVW Architects Inc. in Providence, Hughes is putting that passion, knowledge and experience to work. Beyond her own projects, she is giving back in a big way by mentoring her colleagues and the next generation of creative young minds.
Hughes oversees training for the firm’s technical staff on REVIT/BIM, a software program that allows design professionals to create three-dimensional electronic models of buildings. She has already mentored three-quarters of the current staff, making certain that everyone’s skill level is progressing toward meeting the highest standards. Her efforts include coordinating and leading staff training sessions, conducting monthly focus group sessions and convening bimonthly meetings.
But perhaps the greatest illustration of Hughes’ desire to mentor is her leadership within the ACE Rhode Island Mentor Program, which is dedicated to providing support, guidance and hands-on learning opportunities to high school students who are interested in careers in architecture, engineering and construction.
Hughes got involved with ACE RI in 2008 and today serves as Advanced Group mentor, Curriculum Committee co-chair, Summer Experience Program co-chair and a board member.
“Tami has dedicated countless volunteer hours to mentoring students within the Providence chapter of ACE RI,” said Martha Werenfels, senior principal at DBVW. “The majority of these students identify as part of an underrepresented racial group or community, and 30% are young women. As a leader within the ACE RI Program, Tami is helping to focus on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion within the ... industry by providing access to industry insight, technical skills and college scholarships to high school students that statistically do not have access to these kinds of benefits.”
One of Hughes’ most rewarding experiences took place in 2021 when two of her graduating mentees each received $13,000 from the ACE RI scholarship fund, and one received an additional $16,000 from the CMiC-Allen Berg Memorial Scholarship, enabling both students to go to colleges that they would not have otherwise been able to attend.
“I think the fact that they were both female and of minority race made it even more special to me,” Hughes said. “These scholarships helped to ensure that they could pursue a career that they are both passionate about, something that they may not have been able to do otherwise. As a person of triple minority background – female, Asian heritage and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity – I am very passionate about addressing and correcting systemic issues of diversity, equity and inclusion within the industry.”
With direct input into the ACE RI curriculum, Hughes has worked to develop a unique and innovative curriculum, tailored to the needs of the Rhode Island student population. First-year students are presented with a broader-level insight into the industry, while advanced returning students are provided a more focused, in-depth development of skills with the goal of students entering the CIRT National Design & Construction Competition as their final project. Hughes also assists in portfolio development, offers recommendations for college and scholarship applications, and coordinates job shadowing opportunities through the ACE RI Summer Experience Program.
“I am a firm believer that our own success comes from the investment we make in the next generation and ensuring that they have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed,” Hughes said.