Thriving As A Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry: Dena Prastos of Indigo River On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry
An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Develop Thick Skin. Don’t take “it” personally. Remember, how people treat you reflects them, not you.
I’ve been inappropriately spoken to, even yelled at, in professional work settings multiple times in my career. The first time it happened was in a field trailer on a construction site. I was so shaken that I didn’t want to return to work. It took me time to understand that I hadn’t done anything to warrant the treatment I received. Some professionals, often in management, don’t know the best way to express themselves. You cannot take it personally.
In the United States in 2022, fields such as Aircraft piloting, Agriculture, Architecture, Construction, Finance, and Information technology, are still male-dominated industries. For a woman who is working in a male-dominated environment, what exactly does it take to thrive and succeed? In this interview series we are talking to successful women who work in a Male-Dominated Industry who can share their stories and experiences about navigating work and life as a strong woman in a male-dominated industry.
As a part of this series I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dena Prastos, AIA
As Founder and CEO of Indigo River, Dena Prastos, AIA, is the first “waterfront architect,” trailblazing a new category in the industry. Indigo River is a women-owned transdisciplinary design firm focused on progressive waterfront architecture, resiliency, and climate adaptation. A leading authority in New York Harbor and beyond, the firm specializes in climate adaptation through waterfront solutions that seamlessly transcend boundaries — guiding and executing projects from ideation through final construction and operations.
Waterfront architect, civil engineer, futurist, climate adaptation expert, entrepreneur, and creative original Dena is driven to transform the built world at the water’s edge. With transdisciplinary and progressive views, she is fueled by the overlapping of design, technology, and nature.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood “backstory”?
I grew up in the Great state of Alaska, which naturally gave way to my adventurous and exploratory spirit. Yes, the winters are long, dark, and cold. However, the Northern Lights are magical, and the summers are unparalleled in beauty. As kids, it was common knowledge of how to escape a bear, roll out of quicksand, and duck and cover during earthquakes. My favorite place to be on Summer Solstice, June 21st, is in Alaska. I remember canoeing down the Yukon River with my dad for two weeks the summer I turned 14, and it was so hard to keep track of time because there was no traditional sunrise or sunset. Instead, in an otherworldly fashion, the sun circled the horizon over and over.
My early education had a particular uniqueness to it. My parents, who valued education above all else, enrolled me in an Optional Elementary School where students were encouraged to develop critical thinking and self-directed learning skills. Building on this approach, my middle school, Atheneum, taught the Socratic Seminar method. For example, I didn’t have a traditional geometry book; I learned geometry by way of Euclid through postulates and theorems. It was an environment where we were encouraged to connect the content to our own experiences and incorporate the joy of learning, reasoning, and original thinking everywhere in our lives. Next, I attended East Anchorage High School, the most diverse school in the U.S., where I was enrolled in a “School Within a School,” a cohesive learning community. Throughout my adolescent education, I was consistently empowered toward independent thinking, community involvement, and lifelong learning.
I have two brothers (Ari and Thanos), and I remember my dad reminding me throughout my childhood that there was nothing they could do mentally that I couldn’t do. So, when he would teach us things, whether tying a fishing knot or changing a flat tire, he would teach and test all of us. I also grew up with three boys next door (Trenton, Tyler, and Tanner), so our neighborhood crew consisted of five boys and me. It was a lot like the movie, “Little Giants”… I guess you could say I became comfortable being in male-dominated environments from a young age.
I was incredibly active; my parents left very little time for me to get into trouble. Before and after school on any given day, I might be at practice or rehearsal for any combination of soccer, tennis, violin, orchestra, symphony, theater, and tai chi. I was an All-State athlete in both soccer and tennis. I was also immersed in a rich Greek culture through music, food, religion, folk dance, and travel. And in the summers, the only television in our home was intentionally disconnected by my parents, forcing my brothers and me outside, often to the stream in our backyard. As a result, we learned to appreciate nature, the bounty it provides, and its absolute authority over everything. These experiences created an appreciation for nature, health, and wellness, as well as for art and culture that I continue to carry with me today.
Can you tell us the story about what led you to this particular career path?
When I finished my five-year undergraduate degree in architecture, I was intimidated by engineering and construction at large. However, I have always had a knack for seeing challenges as opportunities, and I enjoy pushing myself out of my comfort zone — that mentality has served me well in my career. I faced my lack of confidence head-on by getting a master’s degree in civil engineering. I intentionally began my career with a heavy, civil, self-perform contractor working on a design-build project. When I think back on that time, what I was experiencing was a fear of the unknown. I have learned you cannot reach your full potential by staying in your comfort zone. When I push myself to the edge of my limits, that is when I grow the most.
I have great admiration for nature, specifically for water bodies. I believe it is by nature that we can learn, advance, replicate, and scale our actions to address goals. It is by nature that we can prepare ourselves most responsibly for the future.
Being born and raised in Alaska, I deeply appreciate nature and humankind’s ability to design, build, and create infrastructure in some of the world’s harshest conditions.
I have developed a deep respect for the Alaskan Native cultures — and the people who have lived on and from this land for centuries, particularly the coastal communities.
Growing up with a stream in my backyard, I remember observing wildlife with endless curiosity.
I live on the Hudson River now and still find myself pacing the shoreline at low tide, observing critters and nature’s forces on built infrastructure. To experience the coastline as a living, breathing being before and after storms is humbling.
Living and working in the New York Metro area, it can be easy to miss “nature,” but anywhere there is water, sure enough, there is nature.
The waterfront is a dynamic zone. As a result, coastal regions have inherent vulnerabilities, repeatedly and constantly exposed to raw, often unpredictable natural forces while serving as nature’s infrastructure and humanity’s most natural infrastructure. So, it’s deserving of our specialized attention. And I have thoroughly enjoyed focusing my career on this typology.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
My career allowed me to live and work abroad in the Middle East. An experience I would highly recommend for young professionals, especially architects, both personally and professionally. Being open to learning about new cultures expands and exercises creative muscles.
I left the industry entirely for a year to launch and operate a cooking school with my husband. To be in a completely different industry but experience firsthand how basic business principles transcend industry was a valuable experience.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
First, I genuinely believe everyone writes their own recipe for success. Each of us comes to the table with a different approach, skillset, and manner of execution. These are three that have helped me:
Intuition. My intuitive personality energizes my imagination, helping me develop creative strategies and motivating me to explore things deeply — whether it’s an intellectual pursuit, challenges at the office, or even a crazy scheme or thought experiment. I am driven to understand and create. I enjoy switching between speculative musing and tactical problem-solving. I am imaginative and open-minded and enjoy focusing on distant possibilities and what it takes to achieve them.
Initiative. Being a leader is hard if you’re waiting to be told what to do. Taking initiative is a form of self-empowerment — a skill and lifestyle I have been encouraged to explore since primary school. Before I launched Indigo River, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what was important to me and what was holding me back. In the same way that it is rare to meet a truly interesting person who has had an easy life, I have learned that no one gets handed a meaningful career — I had to take the initiative, work for it, and create it.
Integrity. What I do when no one is looking or asking. It’s the standard I hold myself to. It’s not something I show people necessarily; it’s how I behave behind the scenes. For example, when in doubt about something, I usually ask myself, “will this action reflect my values?” The answer becomes clear to me with this approach.
In one of my previous roles, I had given notice and was wrapping up and handing off responsibilities. On my last day, my manager called me into his office at noon and asked what I could possibly still be working on. I listed peripheral projects and initiatives I had been championing outside my normal billable responsibilities. Everything needed to be transitioned and not lost because of a ball I dropped. He finally sent me home several hours later. Several years later, that manager became my business partner — integrity matters.
OK, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you help articulate a few of the biggest obstacles or challenges you’ve had to overcome being in a male-dominated industry?
Not being heard. Being talked over. I cannot count the number of times I voice something, only to be spoken over or simply ignored and not heard. As if the frequency of my natural voice is not resonating. It is eye-opening how many times what I say is later repeated by a man and then met with a positive response — even celebrated. I’ve been met with wide eyes by fellow women in the room when this happens as if we’re in the Twilight Zone; ladies, we need to speak up and help each other overcome these offensive obstacles! We need to ask ourselves: “If not now, when? If not me, who?” My ability to adapt to these settings and quite literally change my voice by lowering its pitch has helped, but it shouldn’t be necessary.
When I worked in the Middle East, early in the project, I had a local team member, a subordinate, tell me he “wouldn’t take orders from a woman,” and specifically, that it was against his religion. It took me a moment to think about how to respond; while I wasn’t there to contest his religion or change a culture, I was there to get a job done. Thankfully, I had a supportive team from the U.S. that reinforced the chain of command, and we came to a resolution. I am an American, and I am proud to be an American Woman. But I am also a global citizen and respect that different cultures have different norms, which sometimes conflict. What transcends culture is developing a sense of TEAM and camaraderie while working together, aligned, toward a specific goal.
Not having access to female role models early in my career was an obstacle. It is one of the reasons publications like this and like Madame Architect are so valuable to diversity in the workforce. The media plays a role here, too; I am grateful for the movies I watched as a kid, like Father of the Bride, Mrs. Doubtfire, and One Fine Day, that depicted [fictional] women Architects. However, while I was fortunate to have identified various role models, I did not have direct access to women architects in leadership for most of my early career. For this reason, I always engage when I am approached by young women in the industry today who can relate and want to have a conversation.
Can you share a few of the things you have done to gain acceptance among your male peers and the general work community? What did your female co-workers do? Can you share some stories or examples?
Focus on the work itself and not who is doing the work.
I had a coach tell me early in my soccer career that he wasn’t coaching girls; he was coaching athletes. I’ve carried this mentality into my work: I’m an architect, an engineer, and a contractor.
The English language categorizes these nouns as common gender; why shouldn’t we?
I didn’t seek acceptance. Instead, I aimed for the quality of my work to stand on merit alone.
We all get a dopamine hit through external praise; however, I prefer to be successful in my work rather than being constantly validated.
Cultivate Confidence. The quickest way to acquire self-confidence is to do exactly what scares you. And often, it’s what others are afraid to do as well.
Much of my career has been focused on doing things outside my comfort zone. The funny thing is the more you do outside your comfort zone, the more comfortable it becomes.
What do you think male-oriented organizations can do to enhance their recruiting efforts to attract more women?
Encourage parents (especially fathers) to take parental leave. Demonstrate and recognize responsibilities outside of work and encourage both parents to be active. Partners must share equal responsibility in the workplace and the home to effect meaningful systemic change.
Promote deserving women into leadership positions and transparently acknowledge and recognize the value they contribute to the organization.
OK thank you for all of that. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your opinion and experience, what are the “Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry?” (Please share a story or example for each.)
Develop Thick Skin. Don’t take “it” personally. Remember, how people treat you reflects them, not you.
I’ve been inappropriately spoken to, even yelled at, in professional work settings multiple times in my career. The first time it happened was in a field trailer on a construction site. I was so shaken that I didn’t want to return to work. It took me time to understand that I hadn’t done anything to warrant the treatment I received. Some professionals, often in management, don’t know the best way to express themselves. You cannot take it personally.
2. Good Company. No one thrives alone. Allies, mentors, and friends, sooner or later, you reflect the company you keep. Surround yourself with people who lift you higher. Make a concerted effort to support other women.
I have seen a direct correlation between the company I keep and the quality of my work. When I feel challenged and inspired, I become driven and motivated; that chemistry is contagious. You may have felt depleted if you have ever been on a team with a toxic source.
3. Find and use your voice. Know and say exactly what you want.
I once voiced my ambition to be at the executive level within five years, and the response was less than encouraging (to put it lightly). I realized that for every goal, there is a path; we must fervently advocate for ourselves to find and walk that path. In this case, I advocated for myself and did not hear a reasonable response, which told me enough to know my energy would be better invested elsewhere. Nobody will care more about your career than you.
4. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
While our work may be serious, we must give ourselves the grace to learn to fail — and to be okay with it. When we fail, we learn, and we grow. By taking this approach, I have permitted myself to be aimlessly curious and explore what that means to my career.
When my business partner, Shea Thorvaldsen, and I first got together to brainstorm ideas for Indigo River (and our sister company TMS Waterfront), we asked ourselves, “why are we doing this?” and “what do we want out of this?” A recurring theme was that we both wanted to have fun, enjoy our work, and enjoy the company of those with whom we work. There is no rule that good work comes from misery; quite the opposite, actually — many studies validate that happy people who care about their work perform better and are more productive. We have embraced this concept, and it has served us well.
Invest in yourself and invest in those around you. Seek to be worth knowing rather than be well known. Similarly, care about being respected more than being liked. Why would you expect your employer to invest in you if you are not investing in yourself?
When I was starting down the road toward becoming a licensed architect, I had no support from my manager. I had been studying during non-work hours, procured all study materials and exams at my own expense, and used personal time off (vacation) days to sit for over 20 hours of examinations. It was clear early in the process that licensure would not help my career at THAT firm. However, it was part of my plan and reflected my ambition. Following licensure, continuing education remains a core value of mine. I participate in several industry committees in areas that I am passionate about. I am an avid reader, listen to relevant podcasts, and watch pertinent documentaries. If we are not actively growing and evolving, we are doing a disservice to ourselves and our future by stunting our growth potential.
One of my driving motivations is to give others a better circumstance than I had. Of course, this manifests itself in different ways, but one example is how my firm approaches continuing education and licensure. We are generous, far beyond industry standards. We see our team members as extensions of our team and assets to our company. By encouraging and incentivizing continuing education and licensure, we reflect our stance that team members are valued, and as their value increases, so does ours as a firm.
If you had a close woman friend who came to you with a choice of entering a field that is male-dominated or female-dominated, what would you advise her? Would you advise a woman friend to start a career in a field or industry that’s traditionally been mostly men? Can you explain what you mean?
Absolutely! We have a societal duty to develop representation in these fields. It is essential to have diverse representation across industries and at all levels, particularly in the industries that shape the built environment. Diversity and representation matter because outstanding leadership requires empathy. Empathy requires the ability to perceive, understand, and feel the emotional states of others, and how can we do that if an industry is only represented by 50% of the population?
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, V.C. funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the U.S. with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
Neri Oxman
Oxman’s work is revolutionary, and it inspires me. She focuses on material ecology, specifically “biologically inspired and engineered design”.
The world’s climate is the bedrock of our civilization. Meeting the needs of society without breaching the earth’s ecological boundaries demands a paradigm shift. Architects must design buildings, cities, and infrastructure systems as indivisible components of a larger, constantly regenerating, self-sustaining system in balance with broader society and, most importantly, the natural world. Change in engineering, design, and planning is required in cities with their complex infrastructure of buildings, roads, waste, and energy systems.
My vision for our future conforms to democratic civic values; nothing is more important. A successful future will have designed solutions that respond to local conditions yet retain universal and civic values. One must think civically to exercise a set of values and a responsibility to culture, society, and ecology. A thorough recalibration of the architect’s craft will be required to warrant our involvement in more meaningful aspects of future-making beyond buildings. And I believe Oxman’s approach leads us in the right direction to navigate our path forward by actively listening to the living world around us, ultimately creating positive change through nature-inspired solutions.
https://www.instagram.com/oxmanofficial/
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
Thriving As A Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry: Dena Prastos of Indigo River On The Five Things… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.