#72 Equity in Architecture with Kavitha Mathew, Global Diversity Officer, KPF

Design Voice Podcast

Kavitha Mathew is the Global Diversity Officer at KPF, and leads the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, as well as the development and implementation of the firm’s global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment. Mathew oversees KPF’s many internal Communities such as KPF Public, KPF Pride, and KPF+, helps guide KPF’s recruitment and resourcing, as well as its philanthropic and volunteer efforts. Leveraging her experience as an architect, Mathew’s work at KPF has a project-focused component, advising on engagement and communication with the community. Kavitha is also the Founder and President of Equity Co:LAB, and the Special Projects Director of the American Institute of the AIANY. Previously Director of Corporate Architectural Services for Ralph Lauren, she has also worked in various architectural roles at firms including KPF, Spacesmith, and Ted Moudis Associates, as well as her own practice.

In this episode, Kavitha talks about her career journey, from practicing as an architect, to working on the client side, to now becoming the Global Diversity Officer at KPF. Kavitha shares how her passion for equity and social justice work developed, what she thinks is needed at an organization to make equity and inclusion efforts successful, and her advice for companies who are just beginning equity work. We also talk about Corporate Social Responsibility, and the movement toward transparency.

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