MAF is pleased to announce it has awarded the 2025 Fellows Fund for Equity Grant to Odette Giorgees, NCARB. Odette is a lead architect for Gateway Engineering, an Architectural Engineering firm located in Shelby Township.
The Fellows Fund for Equity (F2E) is a grant for newly licensed Black, Hispanic, Native American (and other individuals from underrepresented groups) architects who are actively practicing architecture. The grant is intended to help reduce their remaining student debt and/or as reimbursement for expenses associated with architectural licensing exams, while at the same time, awarding performance, creativity, and perseverance. The fund was adopted by the Michigan AIA (American Institute of Architects) College of Fellows with collective understanding of its broad intent: to help diversify the profession by opening up opportunities through interaction with Michigan AIA Fellows and local AIA Chapters.
Odette is currently designing hospitality projects and leading the adaptive reuse of existing hotels into behavioral health facilities. She also guest lectures at Wayne State University on construction technologies and professional workflows that bridge communication gaps between architecture and construction. As well, she is leading volunteer design efforts for St. Paul Chaldean Catholic Church in Grand Blanc.
In the future, Odette plans to continue working in technically demanding, public-facing sectors while also expanding her involvement in civic architecture and community service. She expressed that her long-term goal is to “contribute architecture that is both rigorously constructed and deeply humane design that serves communities thoughtfully and endures over time.”
Odette is an immigrant and first-generation college graduate. For her, receiving the Fellows Fund for Equity Grant is a meaningful acknowledgment at an important point in her career. “The grant reflects a shared belief in thoughtful practice, leadership, and long-term contribution to the profession,” she explained. “I appreciate that MAF recognizes architects early in their careers. This support reinforces my commitment to staying engaged, giving back, and continuing to contribute to Michigan’s architectural community in a significant way.”
Odette was also the recipient of the Professional Concepts Insurance Agency (PCIA) Scholarship MAF Scholarship in 2023, which helped to support the completion of her Master of Architecture degree at the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM).
In addition to monetary assistance, the grant includes mentorship with a state of Michigan-based member of the AIA College of Fellows. Award applications and materials are due via email by September 15 of the award year.
For more information on the F2E grant, including how to apply for future grant consideration, click here.