Are you a woman who is Next to Lead?

What inspired you to apply for Next to Lead?

Melanie Ray: I was at a pivotal moment in my career at the time. I had just been promoted to an Associate at Hord Coplan Macht  shortly after completing all the requirements for licensure. I had also just been elevated to vice president of our local NOMA chapter, Bmore NOMA. It was clear that I was moving into a new stage in my career in which I would need to define what leadership looked like to me and subsequently act on those values. I’ve found myself in leadership positions in the past, but I knew that I needed more focused development to activate my full potential as a leader. When AIA announced the inaugural Next to Lead program, I knew this was the opportunity I was looking for to grow as a leader and move with confidence to that next level of my career.

What has been the most valuable experience?

Melanie Ray: Without question, the most valuable aspect of the program is the connections we built with all the women in the cohort. While I learned so much during our monthly sessions, I value the relationships that we fostered through our regular check-ins, meet-ups at conferences, and informal get-togethers. The participants of our cohort represented women from all stages of their careers with a diverse collection of experiences, and we still check in from time to time to share life updates, celebrate our wins, and talk about important issues in our profession. Our cohort included women whose experience ranged from emerging professionals to budding firm principals to small business owners, and we each brought a different perspective to the conversation. Not only did we gain valuable knowledge from each other, but we also walked away from the program with twenty new mentors, cheerleaders, and confidants.

Have you taken any new leadership or volunteer roles since your Next to Lead experience?

Melanie Ray: Yes! I was elevated to Bmore NOMA President, and I’m now serving on the Equity and Future of Architecture committee. I’ve always led the NOMA Foundation Fellowship (NFF) program for NOMA, but now I’m officially NFF Director.

How does having more diverse women leaders advance the profession?

Melanie Ray: The profession of today is not the profession of the past. In just the last five years alone, we’ve experienced drastic shifts such as a broader acceptance of working from home and addressing the barriers that that are faced in passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) such as the elimination of the rolling clock. These changes are meaningful steps towards a more diverse and inclusive industry, however, without leaders who reflect the changing profession, the opportunity for more progress hangs in the balance. Women, particularly women of color, bring a crucial perspective to spaces that have traditionally excluded us. To see further advances in architecture education, pass rates for exams, and representation in firms and leadership roles, it's essential to ensure these voices are present where decisions are made, and power is shared. The journey doesn't stop at leadership; having a greater diversity of women in leadership positions means more diverse role models for the next generation of architects. Women deserve to see themselves represented in the leadership that will shape the future of the profession. The representation we see today will determine the profession's future tomorrow.

Why should women apply for Next to Lead?

Melanie Ray: If you've ever questioned your readiness for a leadership position, whether you're contemplating a new opportunity or currently in such a role, the Next to Lead program is an ideal opportunity to address those feelings. The program is not just a leadership development program. It’s an opportunity to wrestle with the aspects of our profession where we often feel the most vulnerable and collectively develop tools and strategies that can be applied to our personal and professional growth. Next to Lead is also for women who seek to be in a leadership role but may not know where to start. During our program, I learned so much about the role that the AIA has in defining the profession and the opportunities that our members have to be  a part of that change. Upon finishing the program, it was not a question of if I would lead, but a question of which role I felt would be the next step given my new skills as a leader.