WILD Founder and CEO Emma Burdett Talks to Shannon Dunn
In her role as an architect and Co-Founder and President of Delos Arabia, Shannon Dunn actively seeks ways to merge her love for architecture with her dedication to promoting health and well-being. A creative, hands-on designer, equally comfortable and inspired on a construction site as in her design office, Shannon’s architectural training has instilled a commitment to the entire process of design and construction and a deep respect for all trades.
Emma Burdett: You come from a corporate background. Tell us about your industry journey?
Shannon Dunn: I worked in traditional architectural firms until I started working on ways of integrating preventive health strategies into buildings and designing spaces I want to occupy, not from an aesthetic perspective, but from a health perspective. During this transition, I was introduced to Paul Scialla and so began my path towards where I am today. Paul is the CEO and founder of Delos and IWBI (WELL Building Standard) and he has given me the opportunity to bring the entire Delos ecosystem to Saudi Arabia. While I am in a corporate role with Delos, I’m fortunate to have the freedom to be creative with our entry into this market, and to be surrounded by like-minded Saudi leaders who support women’s empowerment and my privileged role here in the Kingdom.
Emma Burdett: What inspired your drive to pursue a career in a male-dominated industry?
Shannon Dunn: I did not think of architecture as a male-dominated industry when I was growing up and in school. I started college as a pre-med student and in both career paths, I was in an academic environment where professors and students alike had a 50-50 balance between men and women. Only when I started working did I realize the entire industry of architecture, engineering, and construction is male-dominated, and unfortunately not much has changed in the last 25 years, even in the US.
Saudi women hold a lot of power
Emma Burdett: What has been your biggest career achievement to date?
Shannon Dunn: My biggest career achievement to date is currently unfolding here in Saudi Arabia, and I owe much of this to the current local work environment, thought and visionary leadership, and real advancements for women here. I have never felt more confident about being able to make a real impact both for my personal and professional development and also for critical UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being and gender equality.
Emma Burdett: What changes have you seen for women in KSA over the last four to five years?
Shannon Dunn: I have had the privilege of knowing many people living and working in Saudi Arabia for a long time, including a very dear friend whose mother was a practicing physician in the Kingdom over 40 years ago. I started coming to the region in 2008 and to Riyadh in 2019 and even at that time, when visiting local offices, I met many women working full time. My observations as an American differ greatly from the typical perception of women’s roles and the main change I’m thrilled to see is that the world is now learning about the strengths and achievements of Saudi women despite many misconceptions.
Emma Burdett: What notable changes have you seen in the workplace for women?
Shannon Dunn: My understanding is that Saudi women have been highly educated and prepared for the workplace for a long time. The major changes seem to lie in the realm of relatively recent access to career opportunities, where women can apply their education and experience without limitations by gender-dominated roles.
I suggest companies in KSA stay true to a merit-based system for attracting and retaining the best female talent
Emma Burdett: The cost of childcare still seems to be a female burden?
Shannon Dunn: Many of my friends think of their salaries in terms of an amount that covers the cost of being able to work, meaning the cost of replacing their time away from home and children. These costs include traditional childcare as well as school, school activities, sports, summer camps, etc. A flexible work schedule can help, but in my opinion, a more sustainable solution related to supporting these costs is critical for real transformation.
Emma Burdett: How do you suggest companies in KSA attract and retain the best female talent?
Shannon Dunn: I suggest companies in KSA stay true to a merit-based system for attracting and retaining the best female talent. Friends in hiring and teaching roles constantly report that professional women here, who are highly prepared from an educational perspective, typically outperform their male counterparts. Of course, companies should provide recognition and equal compensation.
Emma Burdett: Have you seen any benefits of cross-functional teams working together, such as men and women from different races and ethnicities? If so, do you have an example?
Shannon Dunn: I’m a huge fan of cross-functional and cross-sector teams working together. Actual experience and an applied approach based on work ethic, common goals, and mutual respect seem to trump any notion of racial and ethnic expectations.
Emma Burdett: KSA has a high percentage of youth with 65% of the population being under 35. Do you see a different mentality with this generation?
Shannon Dunn: I see an extremely motivated talent pool of youth in KSA who are taking collective pride in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the tremendous opportunities for career development. A growth mindset is alive and well here. I worry about the trends in the US in terms of youth:
- lacking strong work ethic
- choosing to be isolated rather than wanting to work in an office
- having a sense of entitlement that is not aligned with experience and achievements
- wanting to work as if they are pursuing an individual sport rather than a team sport
- lacking respect for older generations, and not understanding the need to learn from people with experience over time and long career development
Emma Burdett: What is your personal intention and motivation?
Shannon Dunn: To continue driving the healthy building movement. To make a global impact on the fundamental shift in the understanding of buildings as an integral part of healthcare and longevity. Like people, when buildings are healthy, they can support life, improve mental and physical well-being, improve productivity and performance, and contribute to extending health span—what we call true human sustainability.
I see an extremely motivated talent pool of youth in KSA
Emma Burdett: What has been the biggest challenge for you and how have you overcome this?
Shannon Dunn: Learning how to live after the tremendous personal losses of a brother and my mother when they were both far too young.
Emma Burdett: What advice would you give to a younger Saudi female starting out on their career?
Shannon Dunn: Continue being authentic and proud of your culture; continue sharing the female Saudi story with grace and forward-thinking; continue keeping your head down, focused on hard work; continue advancing in your profession without letting a negative, complaining attitude take over. People who complain tend to be powerless and if there’s one lesson I’ve learned during my last year working in the Kingdom, it is that Saudi women hold a lot of power, especially now.
Emma Burdett: How important do you feel the WILD network is for women in the region and why?
Shannon Dunn: Everyone needs reminders, and the WILD platform supports women who are eager to support one another.
Emma Burdett: What single piece of advice would you give to all WILD Women?
Shannon Dunn: Be kind and supportive of other women.
Conversations that Matter: Reach Out and Connect
A Talk on the WILD Side has been created in partnership with Saudi Projects to help amplify women’s voices, providing meaningful insight and candid conversation with diverse women from across the Kingdom. It provides a platform for women to have a voice, deep diving into all things pertaining to leadership, presenting untamed ideas and inspiration, and paving the way for a sustainable future for women across the region.
Do you live and work in KSA? Would you like to be interviewed by Emma Burdett from WILD for a Talk on the WILD side? Reach out and talk to us now at: SaudiProjects@tpg.media
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