Vivian Lee, FAIA, honored with the 2026 Edward C. Kemper Award
AIA has bestowed its highest service honor, the Edward C. Kemper Award, upon Vivian Lee, FAIA, a design principal at Gensler. This award recognizes an architect who has made significant, impactful contributions to the profession through dedicated service to AIA. Lee’s profound influence as a mentor and her tireless advocacy for equity, diversity, and inclusion have reshaped the architectural landscape for the better.
WASHINGTON – December 5, 2025 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has bestowed its highest service honor, the Edward C. Kemper Award, upon Vivian Lee, FAIA, a design principal at Gensler. This award recognizes an architect who has made significant, impactful contributions to the profession through dedicated service to AIA. Lee’s profound influence as a mentor and her tireless advocacy for equity, diversity, and inclusion have reshaped the architectural landscape for the better.
Throughout her career, Lee has addressed the systemic challenges faced by underrepresented groups in architecture. She recognized early on that representation is vital, particularly for minority and immigrant women seeking to build careers in the field. This understanding has fueled her mission to increase the visibility and influence of women in design and leadership roles.
Her leadership has extended beyond local impact, creating national bridges between AIA chapters. Lee orchestrated firm-to-firm design exchanges and curated impactful symposia, including the A’23 Equity for Women in Architecture: Coast-to-Coast Exchange. This event brought together representatives from over 25 AIA committees from across the country to share knowledge and strategies, amplifying the movement for equity on a national scale.
Under her guidance, the AIA New York WiA Committee developed programming rooted in four strategic pillars: Design & Leadership, Professional Practice, Workplace Culture, and Advocacy & Activism. This structured approach resulted in over 100 events that provided crucial support and networking opportunities for women and underrepresented professionals, earning the committee the AIA New York Vice President Citation for Professional Development in 2019.
The Edward C. Kemper Award is a testament to how deeply Lee’s work aligns with AIA’s core values. AIA is committed to advancing the profession through advocacy, education, and community, with a strong emphasis on diversity, sustainability, and mentorship. Lee’s service has advanced this mission on local, regional, and national levels, leaving an enduring legacy for future generations.
Learn more about Lee’s selection as the 2026 Edward C. Kemper Award recipient.
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