In June, HPAC On The Air welcomed Nancy Kohout, P.E., LEED AP, chair of the first-ever Women in ASHRAE Leadership Symposium, set for Chicago, September 26-27.
A principal and mechanical practice lead at SmithGroup in Chicago, Kohout here previews the event, tells us how it all came to be, and discusses some of the unique challenges still faced by women in this industry, especially in management.
“I sometimes find I am leading meetings where I am the only woman in the room,” notes Kohout. “In that situation, not only do I have to be technically capable and competent, but for a woman, there’s also an extra lift... I have to be warm. I have to be caring. I have to soften things with humor. I would love to see us not expect that someday. But it is what it is and it’s still there.”
For the rest of this month's episode, click below...