Name: Kelly Haigh AIA

How are you participating in ABX 2016?
Primarily as the Women in Design (WiD) ABX Committee co-chair. We are organizing a full-day symposium, In the Public’s Interest, and assembling an incredible lineup of speakers to discuss public-interest design. There are so many people and organizations in and around Boston that are contributing to the public realm in profound ways. We are excited to feature their work.

Your top three conference or speaker picks at ABX 2016?
The three awards recipients at the Women in Design Award of Excellence Ceremony: Meejin Yoon AIA, Kathleen MacNeil, and Jean Carroon FAIA. This award features design professionals who are not only extremely talented but give back to the community in meaningful ways. This is the third year I’m attending the luncheon, and I have always left inspired and excited to be a part of the design community.

What are you most excited about the future of the building industry?
I see an increasing awareness and commitment from the design community to make positive impacts on the greater building industry. Whether it’s advocating for transparency in materials or solving complex social issues through design, we have a major opportunity to evolve the industry, and I’m optimistic about our role in this. My office has recently completed our first project that is seeking the Living Building Challenge™ project certification, and it has been transformational in how we think about and navigate the design/construction process.