Meet Gloria Kloter

We recently connected with Gloria Kloter and have shared our conversation below.

Gloria, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

My generosity comes from having faced—and overcome—many challenges myself. As an immigrant architect building a new life and career in the U.S., I know firsthand how isolating, overwhelming, and unclear the path can feel. I didn’t always have someone to turn to for guidance, so now, I make it a point to be that person for others. Every time I share my time, knowledge, or support, it comes from a place of deep empathy and a desire to make someone else’s journey a little easier than mine was.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

In addition to leading my firm, Glow Architects, I’m deeply committed to supporting immigrant architects in the U.S.—a journey I know personally. I serve as Director of Programs for the Immigrant Architects Coalition, where I created our national mentorship program and co-host the IAC Podcast Licensing Series. I also lead the Foreign Architects private Facebook community, which now supports over 3,000 members. My work extends through leadership roles with AIA National as a 2025-2027 At-Large Representative to the Strategic Council, with AIA Florida as their Architect Licensing Advisor with NCARB, and past service with AIA Tampa Bay.

I share my experiences through writing as well, including my book The Architecture of Motherhood and as co-author of City Shapers and Prospering in the US, a guide for immigrant architects. Whether through advocacy, mentoring, or storytelling, my focus is on helping others rise—and ensuring they don’t have to navigate the process alone.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities made the biggest impact in my journey to becoming a licensed architect in the U.S.: determination, consistency, and resilience.

Determination helped me stay focused on the bigger picture, even when things got hard or overwhelming. I knew what I wanted, and I reminded myself often why I started. Consistency was key. Even when progress felt slow, I kept showing up—studying a little more, asking one more question, taking one more step. Every effort, no matter how small, moved me closer to my goal. And resilience kept me going through setbacks, rejections, and sacrifices—including missing out on family gatherings or fun plans to stay focused on my path.

For anyone just starting this journey: pace yourself, get organized, and accept that slow progress is still progress. Say no when you need to. And most importantly, don’t give up—it’s worth it.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

My biggest challenge right now is time management. Between running a business, raising three children, and staying active in volunteer work, it can be hard to find space for everything—especially time for myself. I live by my calendar and daily to-do lists to stay organized and keep things moving.

What’s helped me most is being intentional about carving out small moments just for me. Whether it’s sketching, writing, working out, or even a quiet spa day, doing something that feels therapeutic helps me recharge and stay centered. It’s not always perfect, but those moments make all the difference.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

N/A. All to Gloria Kloter.

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