AIA Strategic Council
The AIA Strategic Council is a think tank dedicated to producing forward-thinking research on behalf of the architecture profession.
Leading think tank anticipating future trends in architecture
The AIA Strategic Council's mission is to better equip AIA membership with research-based insights to navigate the evolving landscape and long-term evolution of the architecture profession. It advances the profession by informing the AIA Board of Directors and other AIA bodies of important professional issues and opportunities.
The includes surveying the profession and informing AIA goals, objectives, strategies, and the AIA 2021-2025 Strategic Plan. The council meets in assembly to deliberate and forms small groups to explore topics and develop recommendations for the board's consideration.
Our goals
- Conduct rigorous long-term research to identify major forces, emerging trends, and threats impacting the architecture profession.
- Develop insights and long-term recommendations for the AIA Board and leadership to consider for implementation.
- Establish eligibility for grants and funding to support research initiatives.
- Engage AIA members in ongoing conversations about the future of the profession.
- Elevate AIA's thought leadership globally, affirming AIA’s position as a global thought leader in the profession.
Explore a full breakdown of the AIA Strategic Council's progress and initiatives in 2024, including study group executive reports on climate, AI, equity, well-being, and the value of architecture.
Study groups
In 2024, the AIA Strategic Council consists of five study groups: Climate/water, artificial intelligence, equity, well-being, and the value of architecture. Each study group presents findings, recommendations, and implications to the AIA Board of Directors and other AIA bodies based on the following goals. Explore the latest study group executive reports in the AIA Strategic Council Year In Review 2024 report.
Climate/water
Expand the lens of AIA climate action by deepening practice knowledge about the impact and opportunities of design choices surrounding water across the built environment.
Artificial intelligence
Support AIA's capability and responsibility to proactively shape industry-wide AI usage policies/frameworks—ensuring equitable, ethical, and beneficial adoption for all members.
Equity
Expand progress towards a bias-free profession and conduct a broader examination of K-12 and higher education barriers and opportunities, licensure challenges, business obstacles, workplace culture, and beyond.
Well-being
Advance AIA member awareness, knowledge, and application towards designing healthier buildings and communities.
Value of architecture
Help our members, clients, partners, and communities to understand, appreciate, and pursue the value of architecture and architects.
Council members
The AIA Strategic Council is representative—people chosen to stand or act on behalf of a wider group—and visionary—thinking or planning the future with imagination and wisdom.
Councilors represent a broad range of talent and experience and the values of AIA and the communities that AIA serves. AIA chapter leadership experience is desired but not required.
2024 Strategic Council
President-elect
Evelyn Lee, FAIA
Immediate Past President
Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA
EVP/Chief Executive Officer
Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE
At-Large Representatives
Andre Brumfield, Assoc. AIA
Gwendolyn Fuertes, AIA
Stephanie Leedom, AIA
Jessica O’Donnell, AIA
Ignacio Reyes, FAIA
Corey Squire, AIA
Laura Wake-Ramos, AIA
Associate Representative
Alyanna Subayno, Assoc. AIA
Student Representative
Jordan Luther, Assoc. AIA
CACE Representative
Mary-Margaret Zindren
Alabama
Mark Bruce Herrington, AIA
Alaska
Ryan N. Morse, AIA
Arizona
Kathy Hancox, AIA
Arkansas
Randy Paculict, AIA
California
Brett Dougherty, AIA
Leah Bayer, AIA
Scott Gaudineer, AIA
Colorado
Sarah Broughton, FAIA
Connecticut
Paolo Campos, AIA
Delaware
Toomas R. Idnurm, Assoc. AIA
District of Columbia
Abigail Brown, AIA
Florida
Jeffrey E. Huber, FAIA
Georgia
Garfield Peart, AIA
Hawaii
Jason DeMarco, AIA
Idaho
David R. Davies, AIA
Illinois
Leanne Meyer-Smith, AIA
Indiana
Robert G. Proctor Jr., AIA
International
Lester Korzilius, FAIA
Iowa
Linda J. Alfson Schemmel, AIA
Kansas
Martin A. Rangel, AIA
Kentucky
Richard J. Polk, AIA
Louisiana
Rex Cabaniss, AIA
Maine
Timothy Lock, AIA
Maryland
Michael A. Daly, AIA
Massachusetts
Jean Carroon, FAIA
Michigan
Patty Boyle, AIA
Minnesota
Karen A. Lu, AIA
Mississippi
Jeffrey S. Seabold, AIA
Missouri
Galen Lif, AIA
Montana
Shannon Christensen, AIA
Nebraska
Greg Galbreath, AIA
Nevada
Wellbe Bartsma, AIA
New Hampshire
Alyssa Manypenny Murphy, AIA
New Jersey
Verity Frizzell, FAIA
New Mexico
Ashley E. Hartshorn, AIA
New York
Graciela Carillo, AIA (Moderator)
Peter R. Wehner, AIA
Ayo Yusuf, Assoc. AIA
North Carolina
Matt Barnett, AIA
North Dakota
Trevor Anderson, AIA
Ohio
Hallie Crouch, Assoc. AIA
Oklahoma
Mary Womble, AIA
Oregon
Curtis Wilson, AIA
Pennsylvania
Marc Mondor, AIA
Puerto Rico
Eugenio Ramirez, AIA
Rhode Island
Jonathan Matthew Taylor, AIA
South Carolina
Thomas Bradley Benjamin, AIA
South Dakota
Kristine E. Bjerke, AIA
Tennessee
Josh Flowers, FAIA (Vice-Moderator)
Texas
Brien Graham, AIA
Matt Green, AIA
Utah
Corey R. Solum, AIA
Vermont
Diantha S. Korzun, AIA
Virginia
Robert Easter, FAIA
Washington
Matt Hutchins, AIA
West Virginia
Matthew Breakey, AIA
Wisconsin
Melissa Schulteis, Assoc. AIA
Wyoming
Daniel R. Stalker, AIA
Questions about the Strategic Council's initiatives, or looking for information on how you can get involved?