AIA recognizes departing members of the Board of Directors and Strategic Council for their contributions to the profession
WASHINGTON – January 21, 2025 – Former members of the AIA Board of Directors and Strategic Council are being recognized for their leadership and dedication as ambassadors to the organization through the Upjohn Fellowship and Louise Blanchard Bethune Fellowship awards, respectively.
Named after co-founder and first AIA president Richard Upjohn, the Upjohn Fellowship Award celebrates outstanding contributions made in service to the Institute. Continuing a long-standing tradition, the AIA confers this honor upon members of its Board of Directors as they conclude their term of service. During AIA Governance Week in December 2024, the following distinguished outgoing members of the 2024 AIA Board of Directors were presented with the esteemed Upjohn Fellowship Award:
- Colt Brock, Assoc. AIA
- Tannia Chavez, Assoc. AIA
- Kimberly N. Dowdell, AIA
- Kevin Holland, FAIA
- Laura Lesniewski, FAIA
- Britt E. Lindberg, FAIA
- Amber Lombardo
- Winston Yeo, AIA
Established in 2016, the Louise Blanchard Bethune Fellowship honors retiring AIA Strategic Council members, most of whom have served a three-year term. Named after Louise Bethune, the first woman to receive an AIA fellowship, it celebrates their contributions to the profession. Included in the list below are this year’s Bethune Fellows and the state or position they represented on the Strategic Council:
- Brett Dougherty, AIA, California
- Toomas Idnurm, Assoc. AIA, Delaware
- Jeffrey Huber, FAIA, Florida
- David R. Davies, AIA, Idaho
- Rob Proctor, AIA, Indiana
- Lester Korzilius, FAIA, International
- Linda Alfson Schemmel, AIA, Iowa
- Karen Lu, AIA, Minnesota
- Alyssa M. Murphy, AIA, New Hampshire
- Ashley Hartshorn, AIA, New Mexico
- Graciela Carrillo, AIA, New York
- Curtis Wilson, AIA, Oregon
- Jonathan Matthew Taylor, AIA, Rhode Island
- Brad Benjamin, AIA, South Carolina
- Kristine Bjerke, AIA, South Dakota
- Joshua Flowers, FAIA, Tennessee
- Corey Solum, AIA, Utah
- Diantha Korzun, AIA, Vermont
- Dan Stalker, AIA, Wyoming
- Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, 2023 President
- Evelyn Lee, FAIA, 2025 AIA President
- Mary-Margaret Zindren, CACE representative
- Jordan Luther, Assoc. AIA, Student representative
- Alyanna Subayno, Assoc. AIA, Associate representative
This year’s Bethune Fellows played a pivotal role in creating the comprehensive Year in Review 2024 report, which showcased the council’s study group findings, featuring insightful articles, and more.
“The council's groundbreaking initiatives play a pivotal role in driving meaningful progress, fostering impactful collaboration, and advancing critical knowledge that profoundly benefits both the profession and society at large,” said AIA CEO/EVP Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE. “I encourage all AIA members passionate about the current and future state of architecture to explore serving on the council.”
About the AIA Board of Directors
AIA is governed by a 14-person board that includes elected officers, directors, and AIA’s EVP/Chief Executive Officer. The board also oversees the administration of AIA headquarters, the annual budget, and the approval of policies.
About the AIA Strategic Council
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. Discover the impactful work of the AIA Strategic Council and explore how to play an active role as a Strategic Council member.
