Next to Lead

Next to Lead is an association and professional leadership program designed to support racially and ethnically diverse women in the architecture profession who are AIA members. It aims to remove barriers to AIA volunteer leadership positions and advance racial equity within the organization, the profession, and communities.

Benefits include enhanced leadership skills and association acumen, in-depth knowledge on issues impacting women in the workplace and the profession, specialized trainings from expert speakers, monthly virtual learning sessions, and in-person workshops. Participants also receive mentorship from past Next to Lead participants, education on AIA’s national leadership path and advancement opportunities, networking opportunities, learning unit (LU) credits, special recognition at Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA Leadership Summit, along with complimentary registration and a travel stipend for both events.

The program spans 10 months, beginning in September and ending in June. It features monthly sessions (virtual and in-person) and two in-person retreats: Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA Leadership Summit.  

The in-person retreats at Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA Leadership Summit are designed to provide intensive leadership training, networking opportunities, and recognition for participants. These retreats are crucial for building connections and enhancing leadership acumen.

The program was streamlined to a one-year duration to minimize participant time commitments while maximizing effectiveness. This adjustment also aligns with national AIA volunteer recruitment cycles and chapter board elections to accelerate the placement of diverse candidates into leadership roles throughout AIA.

The program will accept no more than 20 candidates, maintaining a limited cohort size to facilitate networking and manageable training sessions.

Applicants must: 

• be a current AIA Architect member or Associate AIA member located in the U.S. and in good standing.
• identify as a woman in mind, body, spirit, or any form of human expression.
• be racially or ethnically diverse.
• commit to serve the organization upon program completion.

Yes, preference will be given to applicants who: 

• have 5-20 years of cumulative career experience.
• are actively engaged AIA members at the local, state, or national level.

• Key dates and deadlines for the 2025-26 cohort:
• Applications open: June 2025
• Applications close: August 2025
• Selections made and participants announced: August 2025
• Program kick-off (virtual): September 2025
• In-person retreat at Women’s Leadership Summit (Atlanta): November 2-5, 2025
• Monthly virtual trainings: October 2025–May 2026
• In-person retreat at AIA Leadership Summit (Washington, D.C.): February 11-14, 2026
• Monthly virtual trainings: March 2026–June 2026
• Final celebration (virtual): July 2026

The program is free of charge for all participants. The program provides complimentary registration and a $500 travel stipend for Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA Leadership Summit. Financial support outside of the support stated or for other AIA events will not be provided. 

All applications will be screened by AIA staff to ensure the criteria for eligibility is met. Eligible candidates will then be reviewed by select AIA member jurors. The jury will conduct a blind review of applications. The jury will deliberate, select, and notify the participants of the program. All applicants will be notified of their acceptance or denial.

Applicants must submit: 

• a formal application.
• a brief statement outlining your personal interest in the Next to Lead program. Why should you be accepted into the program? What would you like to achieve? What would you like to contribute? What do you think the program may empower you to accomplish? Limit 500 words.
• two letters of support from an AIA member, AIA Fellow, Chapter Executive Director, Chapter elected officer, your firm’s principal, director, or direct supervisor. Sole practitioners may include a letter of recommendation from someone familiar with their previous architecture work.
• a resume.
• a professional headshot.
• a short bio.

The program covers association volunteer and professional leadership skills, explores issues affecting women in the workplace, and addresses topics relevant to the profession of architecture. 

Yes, participants will receive special recognition at both Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA Leadership Summit. 

Next to Lead advances racial equity by supporting racially and ethnically diverse women in achieving leadership roles within AIA. This commitment reflects AIA’s broader goal of promoting diversity and inclusion within the architecture profession and beyond. 

Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort will be available starting June 2025 and will close in August 2025. Exact dates will be announced soon. Detailed instructions and the application portal will be available on the AIA Next to Lead program page.

Signing the participant agreement shows your commitment to actively participate in Next to Lead. From attending sessions to joining discussions and completing assignments, it's not just about your success in the program but also about making sure everyone gets the most out of it. The agreement also makes it clear that once you're accepted, your spot cannot be given to someone else. The agreement spells out your free registration and travel stipend for Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA Leadership Summit. When you sign, you're demonstrating your commitment to serve as an AIA volunteer upon program completion. 

It's not mandatory, but we strongly encourage you to continue your leadership journey. The program is designed to help you discover opportunities that match your interests and guide you in finding a leadership path that fits you best. We understand that everyone’s leadership journey is unique and influenced by various factors such as work and family commitments. Whether you choose to serve on a national, local, or state board or in another capacity, we support your decision and are here to help you find the right fit for your aspirations and circumstances. 

No, once you are accepted into the program, your spot cannot be transferred to another individual. This policy helps maintain the integrity and fairness of the selection process and ensures that all participants have an equal opportunity to benefit from the program. 

The program is specifically designed to support racially and ethnically diverse women, ensuring a diverse range of voices and perspectives in leadership roles within AIA and the architecture profession.