225: Small Firm, Big Commitment: Rethinking How Architecture Invests in Diverse Talent

What does it look like when a firm stops just talking about diversity and starts building a tangible pathway for the next generation of architects?In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee is joined by Leah Alissa Bayer, founding principal of Architects Fora, and Gabriella Vaz de Freitas, the firm’s Technology Lead and a former recipient of the "FORAship." Leah shares how her fully remote, women-owned firm moved beyond industry-wide conversations about the "pipeline problem" to create a structured, year-long scholarship and internship program. Gabriella, who moved from São Paulo to California, provides a firsthand account of how the program’s financial support and intentional mentorship allowed her to transition from a student to a leader in AI-enabled design and firm technology.The conversation explores the mechanics of the FORAship, an immersive experience designed specifically for underrepresented students. Unlike traditional internships, this program integrates students into business management conversations and specialty research, ensuring they have a seat at the table from day one. Leah discusses the strategic advantage of investing in international students and entry-level talent, while Gabriella explains how she leveraged her role to spearhead the firm’s adoption of generative design tools and new visualization workflows."Our profession is only as strong as those that are coming into it after us. And it's our job to make the space and support system for that to happen." - Leah Alissa BayerBeyond the logistics of the scholarship, the episode delves into the benefits of a fully remote practice for mentorship and firm culture. Leah shares her "five-year goal" of creating a cohort of small firms to rotate internships, making the process more manageable for employers and more impactful for students. For those navigating the transition to practice, especially international students requiring visa sponsorship, Gabriella’s journey offers a roadmap for finding firms whose missions truly align with their personal and professional values.Guests:Leah Alissa Bayer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB is a founding principal of Architects Fora, a fully remote, women-owned firm focused almost exclusively on affordable and restorative housing design. A former local AIA component president, she is dedicated to creating better work environments where diverse populations can succeed.Gabriella Vaz de Freitas is the Technology Lead at Architects Fora and a former Fora Ship recipient. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, she graduated from Cal Poly and now specializes in AI-enabled design processes, graphic communication, and the implementation of generative tools.This episode is especially for you if:✅ You are tired of "token gestures" and want to see how a small firm can build a legitimate program around equity and belonging.✅ You want to understand the logistics of running a combined scholarship and paid internship program.✅ You are an international student seeking advice on finding firms that support non-U.S. citizen applicants and visa sponsorship.✅ You are curious about how to manage and mentor entry-level staff effectively in a fully remote environment.✅ You want to hear how a new graduate can lead technology research and AI implementation within a firm.What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation.📍 Show Links:Learn more about Architects ForaLearn more about FORAshipConnect with Leah Elizabeth on LinkedInConnect with Gabriella on LinkedInListen to the previous Practice Disrupted episode with Leah📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social:Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeCheck out our past episodes Be a part of our community — join the conversation