AIA Announces 2026 Board of Directors and Appointment of Public Directors

WASHINGTON – December 16, 2025 – The 2026 Board of Directors to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) have been selected.  

Led by incoming 2026 President Illya Azaroff, FAIA, the Board will guide the Institute’s strategic direction over the coming year, advancing the profession’s leadership in climate action, community resilience, equitable design, and technological innovation.

“Architects are facing a defining moment in the built environment—one that calls for vision, partnership, and action,” said Azaroff. “The 2026 Board represents the breadth of our profession and the diverse perspectives needed to address society’s most urgent challenges.”

In addition to AIA members serving on the Board of Directors, AIA has appointed Victoria Salinas and Bob Jensen as the 2026 Public Directors. These non-architect leaders serve as full voting members of the AIA Board and bring public, policy, and community perspectives essential to guiding the Institute’s work.  

2026 Public Directors:

Victoria Salinas 
Salinas is a national expert in disaster resilience and climate risk, with more than two decades of experience helping communities, businesses, and governments prepare for and recover from hazards. She previously served as FEMA’s Deputy Administrator for Resilience, where she led a 3,000-person team, oversaw nearly $10 billion in annual investments, and advanced climate-informed policies to strengthen infrastructure and support underserved communities. Salinas has held leadership roles at the local, national, and international levels—including as Oakland’s first Chief Resilience Officer—and now serves as a Climate Leader in Residence at Duke University. Her work has consistently emphasized the role of design, planning, and community engagement in building safer, more resilient outcomes. 

Bob Jensen 
Jensen is Senior Managing Director of Strat3 and a global advisor on crisis management, risk, and emergency preparedness. With a 32-year career in the federal government—including senior roles at the White House, Homeland Security, the State Department, FEMA, and the Department of Defense—he has coordinated disaster response, strategic communication, and resilience planning across agencies and sectors. Jensen now consults for governments, corporations, and international development organizations, and he advises academic programs focused on public affairs and design. As President of the Emergency Management External Affairs Association, he champions partnerships that strengthen community resilience and prepares future leaders to navigate complex risks.

“These distinguished leaders bring essential expertise at the intersection of climate, resilience, and public trust,” said Azaroff. “Their perspectives will help ensure AIA’s work remains grounded in the needs of communities and aligned with the challenges facing the profession today.”

2026 AIA Board of Directors 

(Effective December 5, 2025) 

Officers 
•    President: Illya Azaroff, FAIA 
•    President-elect: Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA 
•    Treasurer: Lisa L. Kennedy, FAIA 
•    Secretary: Joshua Flowers, FAIA 

At-Large Directors 
•    Latoya Kamdang, AIA 
•    Matthew Toddy, AIA 
•    Jason Takeuchi, AIA 
•    Anne Hicks Harney, FAIA 
•    Graciela Carrillo Cifuentes, FAIA 
•    Jeffrey Seabold, FAIA 

Representative Appointments 
•    Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA – Associate Director 
•    Jordan Luther, Assoc. AIA – Student Director 
•    Heather A. Wilson, CAE – CACE Director 

Public Directors 
•    Victoria Salinas – Appointed Public Director 
•    Robert (Bob) Jensen – Appointed Public Director 

AIA Leadership 
•    Carole Wedge, FAIA – AIA Executive Vice President/CEO (Ex Officio, Non-Voting) 

AIA is pleased to announce the 2027 Call for Candidates for service on the AIA Board of Directors. This is an important opportunity for members who are committed to advancing the profession, shaping AIA’s strategic direction, and serving the broader architectural community. Members interested in running for office can find full details, requirements, and deadlines on the AIA Call for Candidates page.