Women’s History Month: Redefining Leadership in Architecture and Interiors with Bhavini Hardev and Lisa Haude

To commemorate Women’s History Month , in this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen speaks with Studio RYS principals Lisa Haude and Bhavini Hardev about what women’s leadership looks like in today’s AEC industry—and what still needs to change. Lisa and Bhavini discuss progress worth celebrating, including more women stepping into leadership and reshaping collaboration, while also naming persistent gaps: credibility and visibility challenges, mentorship access, toxic “always-on” expectations, and the stark reality of pay inequity. The conversation explores what “principal-level leadership” means beyond hierarchy, such as showing up with empathy, building psychological safety, mentoring with intention, and learning through real project context. The guests also share how their complementary backgrounds in interior design and architecture help break down discipline silos, and how Studio RYS’s recent rebrand reflects an evolution toward a fully integrated practice rooted in storytelling through design. The episode closes with practical advice for emerging and mid-career women aiming for leadership roles in the next phase of their careers.

You can listen to Women’s History Month: Redefining Leadership in Architecture and Interiors with Bhavini Hardev and Lisa Haude online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Women’s History Month: Redefining Leadership in Architecture and Interiors with Bhavini Hardev and Lisa Haude is an episode from Interiors+Sources Podcast by interiors+sources.

This episode is 39:19 long.

This episode was published on Mar 2, 2026.

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