Bay Area Power Women: 5 Questions With HPA Architecture Regional Director Teresa Goodwin

This limited series profiles Bay Area Power Women who have helped shape Bay Area cities, neighborhoods, businesses and lifestyles. These women will be honored at Bisnow's Bay Area Power Women event in San Francisco on May 30.

HPA Architecture Regional Director Teresa Goodwin has over 15 years of experience in architecture and design. At HPA she oversees client relations and project success. She most recently worked on Overton Moore Properties’ 138K SF Eureka Landing Project in Newark, California, and Trammell Crow’s 553K SF San Leandro Business Center project.

Bisnow: How do you describe your job to people who are not in the industry?

Goodwin: As an architect I design buildings to be beautiful, functional and safe. I presented recently to my daughter’s preschool class. I brought in carpet and paint samples to represent the part of architecture that focuses on providing beautiful design. I used their classroom layout as a way to explain how an architect focuses on function, including the location of the classroom windows, adjacency to the outdoor play space and separation by fence for safety to the parking lot and driveway. 

Bisnow: What is the biggest business problem you have faced and how did you solve it? 

Goodwin: I had my own business for a few years after the recession. It was a great way to survive while there was not as much work. Running a small business was rewarding and also very difficult. I did not have established relationships so I did not have others to turn to for help including for technical questions or business guidance. And running the business, stopping the work to prepare invoices while also completing the design work was a lot to juggle. … [A]s the market improved, I solved the problem by joining a well-established business. Now I have the joy of building a team in Oakland with the support of the Irvine office with us.

Bisnow: What is one thing you think companies can do to address wage and gender inequality?

Goodwin: I think hiring more diverse employees including women at all levels including in leadership positions will help. Beyond that companies can also support and be involved with organizations like CREW, Commercial Real Estate Women, and support their employees to do the same.

Bisnow: What piece of advice do you give others entering the industry?

Goodwin: Ask a lot of questions. Spread out your questions and learn from as many people as you can. Go beyond what is asked of you and work to learn more than just what is being asked of you. Join professional organizations and get involved in the industry. And, lastly, take care of yourself; no one else will do that for you.

Bisnow: What do you do to unwind when you’re not working?  

Goodwin: I love spending time with my family. Time with my daughter often includes playing a board game and reading books. My husband and I love to cook, trying new recipes and kitchen gadgets. I use exercise as a way to unwind and also take care of myself. Sometimes that’s getting the dog on a hike, gardening or doing burpees in my garage! And lately I have been getting lost in fiction books, mostly listening to books as a way to decompress and get lost in a story.

Meet HPA Architecture Regional Director Teresa Goodwin at Bisnow’s Power Women event in San Francisco May 30.