AIA Receives 2026 Power of Associations Gold Award for Next to Lead
The ASAE Power of Associations Awards recognize associations that leverage their unique ability to convene stakeholders, inspire collaboration, and drive meaningful change.
WASHINGTON – July 28, 2026 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has received a 2026 ASAE Power of Associations Gold Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), recognizing Next to Lead, a volunteer leadership development program that prepares racially and ethnically underrepresented women to step into leadership roles at the AIA.
The ASAE Power of Associations Awards recognize associations that leverage their unique ability to convene stakeholders, inspire collaboration, and drive meaningful change. Through innovative programs, partnerships, and advocacy efforts, award recipients exemplify how associations create lasting impact that extends well beyond the members they serve.
Next to Lead is the first program of its kind, built to advance volunteer leadership for racially and ethnically underrepresented women who aspire to lead within AIA. It reflects AIA’s ongoing commitment to racial equity across the organization and the profession.
“Next to Lead is helping ensure that AIA—and the architecture profession as a whole—has a bright future,” said 2026 AIA President Illya Azaroff, FAIA. “By investing in and empowering emerging leaders today, we strengthen our profession’s capacity to serve communities tomorrow. A more diverse leadership pipeline will lead to better outcomes for architects, clients, and society—because leadership can’t wait.”
Each year, up to 18 women join this 10-month journey to sharpen their leadership skills and give voice to the issues shaping women's experiences in the workplace and the profession. Through monthly virtual sessions and in-person workshops led by expert speakers and AIA staff, participants grow new skills while sharpening ones they already have.
"ASAE’s Power of Associations Awards recognize the very best of what our community can accomplish," said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, AAiP. "This recognition honors organizations that don't simply advance their own missions - they bring people together to solve complex challenges, strengthen industries and professions, and create lasting benefits for society. AIA has demonstrated the vision, leadership, and commitment to make a meaningful difference, and we are proud to recognize Next to Lead as one of this year's outstanding achievements."
“Next to Lead didn't just teach me about leadership—it helped me recognize the leader I already was,” said Next to Lead participant Chien-Yi Chu, Assoc. AIA. “I came away with something I didn't expect: a deeper trust in my own voice, not as someone still earning a seat at the table, but as someone ready to help build it.”
About The Power of Associations Awards
ASAE’s Power of Associations Awards recognize the association community’s economic and societal contributions locally, nationally and globally. ASAE will celebrate The Power of Associations Award recipients during its annual Summit Awards Dinner on September 22, 2026, at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.
Women from racially and ethnically underrepresented groups who are AIA members and have at least five years of experience in architecture are invited to apply for the 2026 Next to Lead program. The 2026 Next to Lead program will kick-off in September 2026 and conclude in June 2027.
Applications are due by August 7, 2026.
Complete our form to submit a press inquiry or speaking request.
Follow AIA on LinkedIn.
AIA is opposed to the decision by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to move forward with revisions to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 for public comment.
