DRAW Collective celebrates International Women’s Day 2025 and the women that have inspired them. Since 1911, International Women’s Day has been about celebrating women and raising awareness towards women’s issues. This year, we asked the women of DRAW Collective a few questions on how they empower the women around them, what career advice they would give to women, and what this International Women’s Day means to them. Here are some of the answers:
Kayla Benton, Interior Designer
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Design is fun, challenging, and selfless. There is nothing quite like designing something for the needs of another. Take the time to enjoy what you do, do not get lost in the 9-5. Design is something that is beyond the work hours, take the time to nourish that.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
For me and my friends, it is showing support and taking the time to listen to each other. It is not easy being a woman.
Beth Cheberenchick, Marketing Relationship & Field Manager
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
Katherine Johnson – A mathematician whose work was critical to NASA’s space missions, using her math skills to send astronauts to the moon and return them safely back home. Her strong work ethic, perseverance, love of learning, and intelligence helped her overcome barriers; she was a trailblazer during her time.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
Empowering women by being supportive, celebrating successes, being honest and providing encouragement, mentoring and friendship.
Elizabeth Cronin, Principal
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
Leslie Knope! I know she is fictional, but she gets it done and has fun doing it. She loves her work and makes everyone around her better by her actions and attitude.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
I think by allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, we can create our best work. We get excited together about our collective wins and support each other when we fall short. It’s a safe space where we can be comfortable with each other, knowing we can communicate easily and without judgment.
Lily Frye, Marketing & Proposal Coordinator
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Don’t let outdated societal standards determine your goals and your definition of success.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
Surrounding myself with my closest girlfriends is the time I feel most empowered. I support and encourage them in everything they do.
Amy George, Interior Designer
What does “International Women’s Day” mean to you?
Women in the US face a large pay disparity in all roles at all levels, especially women of color, transwomen and women with disabilities. To me, International Women’s Day is a day that we recognize the work (visible and invisible) that women do in our offices, communities, and families each and every day.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
Let’s root for all women and recognize the work they are doing. I want to make sure that women are heard and acknowledged. As I progress in my career, I always want to make sure to reach back and help other women in their careers, especially as they balance families and all the events that life can bring.
Julie Klepeis, Business Manager
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
That failing is OK and I should never let my own fear of failure guide my decisions. I spent so much of my life trying to project what I thought was perfect and it was so exhausting. Trying to really be myself, which is nowhere near perfect, has been the most challenging, yet rewarding part of my career.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
I try to talk positively about myself (which is a struggle most of the time) but it is mostly the women in my life are empowering me just by being supportive, loving people.
Jessica Klimczyk, Marketing & Communications Specialist
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers
Have confidence even if you do not know what you are doing (no one really does), have an opinion and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
Ariana Grande – She is very open about mental health and encourages everyone to get the help that they need and set boundaries! I think that it is very brave and it eliminates the stigma around mental health.
Tricia Monaco, Architectural / Interior Designer; Associate
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
My grandmother Jane Work – She always felt education was important, and learning in general. She felt learning never stopped. She lost her husband at a young age and raised my mom and 2 uncles by herself. She earned a college degree later in life, and went on to get her master’s and doctorate in her late 60s. Up until she fell ill with breast cancer around 80 she was still working as a therapist seeing patients regularly in her practice. She never stopped learning clear up and until she passed away.
How do you empower yourself and the women around you?
I tell my daughters you can be anything you want if you put the work into it. Be respectful and carry yourself with dignity. Treat others as you would want to be treated and always know that someone is watching so “it” does matter how you act and carry yourself.
Jessica Ondrusek, Architect; Associate
What Career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Stay confident in your abilities, recognize your skills, talents, and strengths. Create meaningful relationships and seek mentorship from those you trust to officer guidance, feedback, and connect you with others. Most importantly, always keep learning and growing. Your journey is yours alone, do not compare yourself to others.
What does “International Women’s Day” mean to you?
IWD is defined as a time to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s amazing to see all of the work the women before us and currently around us have accomplished. But the day also serves as a reminder of the need for continued efforts toward gender equality, addressing systemic barriers that women face in areas including in the work force, healthcare, education, and political representation. It’s a call to action for equal rights and opportunities, regardless of gender.
Michelle Reese, Human Resources Manager
What Career advice do you have for women starting their careers
Say YES to opportunities! Find out what you like and don’t like– all experience is good experience when you are starting out. Do more than what is expected, build relationships, be curious, ask for help, be a life-long learner, save for retirement because you WILL be old one day and it comes sooner than you think. Stay in gratitude for opportunities that come your way. Do the work to know yourself, your value and how you best contribute to teams and organizations: it’s your responsibility to know this about yourself, communicate it and show up as the best version of YOU!
What does “International Women’s Day” mean to you
A day to pause and acknowledge how far we’ve come– and help others who are still on the journey! If my grandmothers were still alive, they would be AMAZED!
Emily Schreffler, Administrative Assistant
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
Two of my best friends inspire me every day. They’ve faced so much hardship over the years that I’ve known them, and they’ve never let it break them down. They’ve pushed through all of it and grown into incredible people.
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Don’t let anyone put you down for not knowing something or asking questions. It’s easy to think you’re not good enough because you feel like you don’t know enough, but pursuing knowledge is better than letting it pass you by because of fear.
Kelly Schreffler, Administrative Assistant
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
Simona Kossak, for her dedication to ecological preservation.
What Career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Don’t lose yourself while focusing on your career.
Jennifer Skripac, Architectural / Interior Designer
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Embrace a growth mindset where every experience is a learning opportunity.
What does “International Women’s Day” mean to you?
Empowering the women around me by offering encouragement, providing support, and sharing knowledge to help them grow and succeed.
Jamie Steach, Interior Designer
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
My mom inspires me – she taught me to not take life too seriously and that it’s always okay to make mistakes.
What does “International Women’s Day” mean to you?
IWD means celebrating and empowering women for all of the challenges they battle every day. No matter what age, body type, career path, all women deserve to be celebrated and reminded of their greatness.
Sheena Sundin, Marketing Director
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
ALL women inspire me. I’m blessed to have a circle of truly amazing friends in my life who rock at their jobs, in motherhood, and so much more – and they absolutely inspire me every day. And of course, my mother, who is a breast cancer survivor! She is strong and fearless.
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Be courageous and confident. Never underestimate yourself. Even in failure, there’s a lesson (and likely another path that will be revealed to you in time). Keep trying, always continue learning, and ultimately, you’ll succeed in what truly matters.
Allison Swauger, Interior Designer
What does “International Women’s Day” mean to you?
International Women’s Day represents strength to me. It brings attention to all that women have done and are continuing to do for the world, and the beautiful ways that we overcome hardships and THRIVE!
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Be yourself! It can be extremely intimidating to step into the working world and not automatically try to blend in, but we were put into this world NOT to blend in. If we were like everyone else, what would we bring to the table that isn’t already there? Seriously. Be yourself loudly and unapologetically.
Megan Vercilla, Architectural Designer
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
My mom is someone who inspires me every day. She is the embodiment of a strong and smart woman who cares deeply for her family and friends. She continuously goes above and beyond for anyone in her life.
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Be confident! Life post-graduation can be full of unknowns, but it’s important to remember you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
Ashlyn Wilson, Architectural Designer
Who is a woman that inspires you and why?
Mary Wholestonecraft. Her “place” in society did not deter her from writing one of the most remarkable stories in history – and she was only 19 when she wrote Frankenstein. In writing it, she was able to express her pain and process thoughts she was having. I have seen how my work can be a form of expression in a couple school projects while coping with a tragic situation. It was a surreal experience that stuck with me. I am inspired by Wholestonecraft’s brilliance and persistence, and awe struck by her talent. Frankenstein is a book I revisit frequently, both for the story, and for what I’ve written above.
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
Advocate for yourself and for the things you want to learn & the experiences you want to have.
Adria Zawicki, Architect
What career advice do you have for women starting their careers?
When it comes to women starting their career in architecture – my advice is always to get their license sooner rather than later – while they’re still in the school mindset and habit of studying. There are people who will always doubt your qualifications as a woman, but it is a lot harder when your credentials are written in ink.
What does “International Women’s Day” mean to you?
To me, women’s day is about celebrating the accomplishments of women and recognizing all the work they do – not only in the workplace, but in their communities and at their homes. It is also a strong reminder of how far we have to go and how much we have to lose.
For more information on International Women’s Day, go to https://www.internationalwomensday.com/