International Women’s Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contributions of women in architecture, BIM and technology — fields that continue to evolve. As part of the Graphisoft Community, we recognize the impact women have made in shaping the built environment and driving progress in digital design.
How women at Graphisoft found their path in architecture and tech
The architectural and technology industries have long been shaped by visionary women — pioneers who have pushed boundaries and redefined what’s possible. But beyond the well-known names in history, there are countless professionals working every day to bring creativity and expertise to the field.
At Graphisoft, many of our female colleagues have taken unique paths into the AEC industry. We asked them what inspired their career choices — here’s what they shared:
|
“Transitioning from Architecture to my second career in Sales, I’ve become a true advocate for the customer: deeply understanding their needs and championing their success. Nothing inspires me more than empowering clients to drive meaningful change at the highest level."
|
|
| Catherine Cabezas, Senior Key Accounts Program Manager |
|
"I always loved architecture and remember, as a child, spending hours immersed in a sketch pad, designing houses. After college, I was able to fulfill my childhood dream and design homes with a company that used Archicad. A few years later, I sought a bigger dream; I wanted to teach Architects how to use Archicad. A former Archicad reseller provided that avenue for me. 25 years later, I still get to do what I love.”
|
|
| Veleda Miller, Director of Customer Success of Americas |
|
“I started out as an architect but discovered fairly soon that I'm more interested in the digital, technical part of the process rather than in the "creative" one. That's how I came to work for Graphisoft and became a BIM manager.”
|
|
|
Anna Gnizdiukh, Technical Support Engineer - BIM Manager
|
Breaking barriers and challenges
Historically, architecture and technology have been male-dominated industries, with women facing significant barriers to entry and advancement. However, the rise of digital tools and BIM software has helped level the playing field, creating more opportunities for women to thrive in technical roles. While challenges remain, BIM and digital workflows have opened doors for a more diverse workforce, making the field more inclusive than ever before.
But what does this progress look like in practice? We turned to Graphisoft’s female colleagues to hear directly from them about their experiences in the industry.
|
“While I can see progress in the industry, women still face challenges in technology-focused roles. I’ve often found myself as the only woman in the room during technical meetings. To overcome this, I’ve consistently pushed myself to develop my expertise by staying updated on industry trends, pursuing additional training, and actively participating in conferences.”
|
|
| Yasmin Herden, Information Management Consultant |
|
“The tech field is still largely male-dominated - though progress is happening, and more people are embracing women in tech. Yet, there have been moments where I’ve felt the need to prove I’m just as reliable and capable. The best way I’ve learned to overcome this is by staying focused on my goals, keeping my ambition alive, and constantly reminding myself of how far I’ve already come.”
|
|
| Maisha Maimuna, Customer Support Operations Trainee |
|
“Architecture and construction is largely a male-dominated industry: often I used to be the only woman in the room in meetings (when working as an architect). It can be intimidating, but I was lucky to always have unbiased leaders on my side, both male and female, who ensured I was treated solely according to professional benefits that I bring to the project.
Now, sometimes I am dealing with users who won't trust my professional opinion as a woman - I learned to see it simply as their loss.”
|
|
| Anna Gnizdiukh, Technical Support Engineer - BIM Manager |
These voices highlight the passion and dedication that drive progress in our industry, but they also remind us of the challenges that remain — ensuring equal opportunities, fostering mentorship and breaking down barriers and stereotypes for future generations.
Celebrating success
Every career is filled with milestones that make the hard work worth it. We asked our colleagues about their proudest achievements at Graphisoft, and their responses show the power of teamwork, innovation, and personal growth.
|
"Joining the Knowledge Management project at Graphisoft was a new experience - as new as I was to the company. But over time, it became more than just a project; it felt like a part of me. What I loved most was connecting with colleagues from different offices, sharing ideas, and learning from diverse perspectives. It wasn’t just about applying my tech skills, it was also about blending my creativity with innovation, making every step both a challenge and a joy under one roof."
|
|
| Maisha Maimuna, Customer Support Operations Trainee |
|
“A milestone and memorable moment in my career at Graphisoft was not accepting "No" as the answer I was given when asked if I could offer live remote learning. My territory had many customers living in remote areas and needed the opportunity to properly learn Archicad. With the support of the Sales Partner at that time, we took a chance and that became the beginning of remote learning at Graphisoft North America.”
|
|
| Veleda Miller, Director of Customer Success of Americas |
|
“Launching our Support site and seeing how much impact it has on both our users and our support colleagues. Being there from the very beginning and having directly contributed to make life with Archicad better for so many people is inspiring.”
|
|
| Anna Gnizdiukh, Technical Support Engineer - BIM Manager |
Inspiration and mentorship: the people who shape us
Mentorship and support networks play a huge role in career growth. Our colleagues shared who has inspired them the most in their professional journeys:
|
“At Product Design, we are always hiring young people who are just out of school, sometimes still students. Their skills are amazing, and they are tremendously creative - it's fun to see them work and to learn from them.”
|
|
| Katica Avvakumovits, Senior UX writer |
|
“I could name many people who have inspired me throughout my life. However, this time, I want to mention how proud I am of myself for working through the hard times and, at times, making the hardest career-changing decisions. There is always room to grow and new heights to reach. However, I am grateful for who I became and where I am today!”
|
|
| Kinga Málnási, Social Media & Online Marketing Expert |
|
“My parents are undoubtedly my biggest supporters, but as a great female role model, especially as we honor women in our field, I want to highlight Zolna Murray. I remember attending my first BIM conference as a student and watching her present complex BIM models, with screws in metal plates! That moment sparked my passion for BIM. Reading her blog posts, I was inspired by her forward-thinking ideas, thoughts, and critiques of the AEC industry."
|
|
| Gordana Radonic, Global Community Manager |
|
“My mom, who also works in the industry and is an Archicad user, has been a significant source of support. She pushed me to learn Archicad and showed me the potential of BIM in architecture from the very beginning of my career.”
|
|
| Yasmin Herden, Information Management Consultant |
Advice for young women entering the field/ Advice for the next generation from industry professionals
Our experienced colleagues shared words of wisdom for young women starting their journey in architecture and technology:
|
“Be confident in your abilities. Surround yourself with supportive mentors and peers. Gaining experience will help you build confidence and establish boundaries. Remember, your unique perspective is valuable—own it and let it shine!”
|
|
| Imge Yaman, Customer Enablement Operations Manager |
|
"Be brave and curious, ask questions, advocate for yourself, build your network, and trust your intuition and the process. It'll all work out!"
|
|
| Kinga Málnási, Social Media & Online Marketing Expert |
|
"Navigating a male-dominated industry requires resilience, but it also offers the opportunity to break barriers and drive innovation."
|
 |
| Catherine Cabezas, Senior Key Accounts Program Manager |
Supporting women in architecture and tech
Encouraging more women to pursue careers in BIM, architecture and technology is essential for a more diverse and innovative industry.
At Graphisoft, we believe in empowering talent through education, collaboration, and opportunities for growth. Our community thrives when everyone has the chance to contribute and innovate.
International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration — it’s a reminder that gender diversity and inclusion should be a year-round effort. Recognizing the achievements of women and advocating for equality shouldn’t be limited to a single date on the calendar.
At Graphisoft, we are proud of the talented women who contribute to our industry every day. By continuing these conversations and supporting women in the AEC industry throughout the year, we create an industry that thrives on talent, innovation, and equal opportunities for all.
Aruzhan Ilaikova,
Community Operations Trainee
