2020 Women in RE: Ronnette Riley, Ronnette Riley Architect

Name: Ronnette Riley, FAIA, RA, LEED AP, NCIDQ

Title: Principal/Owner

Company Name: Ronnette Riley Architect 

List up to three associations or organizations that you are currently a member of: American Institute of Architects, Society of American Registered Architects, National Association of Women Business Owners

What recent project or accomplishment are you most proud of? 
Our design of the John Barrett Salon on West 57^th St. has received three national awards to date. The client wanted a homey atmosphere, so we designed reception as a living room with floor lamps, area rug and vintage modern furniture. The open layout, table arrangements and custom bookshelves with an eclectic book collection are inspired by refectory and reading tables and create a new temple to self-edification in a reading room of sorts. The main salon is ringed with red terrazzo floors inset with wide-plank oak. Curvy LED light fixtures, decorative bubble lamps and track lighting illuminate the space. The salon was designed in six weeks and constructed in eight. 

What is one characteristic that you believe every woman in business should possess?
Have as many tools in the tool chest as possible – professional licenses, WBE-certification, LEED-certification, NCIDQ-certification, National Women’s Business Enterprise Certification (WBENC), etc.

What conferences, books, blogs, podcasts, or influencers would you recommend to women? 
The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of over 10 million women-owned businesses in the US representing the fastest growing segment of the economy. The great thing about NAWBO is it represents the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries so it is a one-stop resource to propelling women business owners into greater economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide.