Five key takeaways from 2024 AIA Leadership Summit
Bringing questions, curiosity, and courage, AIA members from coast to coast traveled to Washington, DC, for the chapter leaders’ premier advocacy and leadership training. Here’s a snapshot of what attendees learned and experienced.
1 . Leadership is by design
Preeti Sriratana built his Manhattan-based firm, Modellus Novus, by marrying clients with bold ideas to a culture-rich staff where employees are diverse in age, race, and gender across all levels of leadership. In his first-ever keynote address to architect peers, he shared the most important lessons learned in his exceptional career: Use simple, direct, and clear language to communicate, because people value their time; seek value alignment with your colleagues and clients, because you value time; and define reality and give hope to others, so you can enjoy work, create products that bring pride, and support your firm’s mission.
“Ultimately, what you are doing is building a supportive culture,” said Sriratana. “I can't count on one hand the number of people who have left us.”
2. Share your expertise to grow your networks
The key to growing your network and tapping into your sphere of influence, says Peggy Hoffman, FSAE, CAE, the president & executive director, Mariner Management & Marketing, is providing value to people in your community and the networks that align with it. This is particularly important if you want to connect with next generation of architects.
“Be a mentor, start a conversation, become an ally,” said Hoffman. “Connecting isn’t about selling anything. You are sharing your expertise."
3. Revolution is an inside job
“You don’t have to wait to make a better future. You already have what you need to solve problems big and small in your organization,” Dr. Simone Bhan Ahuja shared in her keynote address.
The founder of Blood Orange, a global innovation and strategy firm and bestselling author reflected on the influence her father – an architect – had on her ideas about changing cultures and ideas. Telling the audience how most businesses she works with have too many priorities, she encouraged AIA members to “want less” in an effort to achieve more and to focus on what clients and customers need.
4. Lawmakers listen to citizen architects
On AIA Hill Day, more than 400 architects engaged with policymakers to promote H.R. 964/S. 366 to ensure local community input in the design of federal buildings, repeal of the harmful research and development amortization tax provision through H.R. 7024, and eliminate arbitrary fee limitations on A/E Federal Contracts to address growing scope and complexity of federal projects.
“Architects are responsible for protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public through design excellence, environmental stewardship and securing the future of our communities," said AIA 2024 President Kimberly Dowdell, FAIA, NOMAC. "It is critical for our voices to be heard on Capitol Hill. We must advocate for legislation that acknowledges and reinforces the pivotal role of the architecture profession in society.”
5. Don’t leave money on the table
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) became law in 2022, but this is the year all the allocated funds the law provides will apply to architecture and green build. The IRA includes $1 billion in funding for state and local governments to support adopting and implementing the 2021 IECC, ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019, and stretch codes aimed at achieving net zero energy buildings.
Michael Kelly, AIA, principal, KCBA Architects, shared how his firm utilized IRA dollars to support a middle school renovation after Pennsylvania stopped funding school construction. Another round of funding is expected this spring, and Kelly recommends firms partner with groups who have had success at winning grants to support clients who may qualify.
Started in the summer of 2021, AIA’s HQ Renewal Internship program highlights the importance of agency in the built environment and empowers future architects.
