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Diversity and Inclusion remains a top strategic initiative of the American Institute of Architects as we continue to equip our members with the tools and resources needed to remain competitive and relevant within a changing global marketplace.

Diversity and Inclusion within the AIA is not strictly focused on race, ethnicity, and gender. We recognize that geographic location, age, physical ability, and many other elements combine to create separate and unique life experiences for every AIA member – your colleagues and interns – and your current and prospective clients, as well. Encouraging these differences and leveraging their potential can ultimately lead to heightened creativity and innovation within your firm, the AIA, and the profession.

Click here to read more about our Diversity and Inclusion definitions and policies.

Highlights

Who Will Tell the Story?
The mission of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) is to champion diversity within the design professions by promoting the excellence, community engagement and professional development of its membership. Their current strategic partnerships focus on Pipeline Development, College Cultural Evolution, and NOMA in New Orleans. Click here to view a presentation from NOMA President Steve Lewis, AIA, NOMA, about the organization’s strategies for an inclusive profession, as well as their goal of increasing recognition for minority architects.

Women Business Owners Lead the Way on Environmental Responsibility
In the latest edition of Enterprising Women, Nancy Goshow, AIA, writes, “Women business owners understand the importance of clean energy and are committed to getting the country running on clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and nuclear, according to the National Women’s Survey on Energy and the Environment, the first in-depth survey of its kind commissioned by Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) in collaboration with the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE).” Click here to read more. This article is reprinted courtesy of Enterprising Women, a national magazine for women business owners.  For more information please visit www.enterprisingwomen.com.


AIA Women’s Leadership Summit
The AIA Women’s Leadership Summit was the first national gathering of women who serve as firm principals and in other professional leadership roles. The event drew upon the attendees’ talents and experiences to describe the issues women face and sought to raise the profile of women within the profession.

Past AIA president Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, provided the keynote address, and panel discussions and breakout sessions were tailored to the concerns affecting women in the profession today: equity, identifying leaders, leadership styles, visioning and strategic planning, next-generation leadership, design quality from the owner's point of view, design successes and challenges, and design excellence.

To view Kate Schwennsen’s presentation, click here. For more information about the Summit, and to network with other women within the profession, visit our Women in Architecture and Design Ning site.

AIA Diversity Action Plan
In 2008, the AIA drafted a 5-year Diversity Action Plan that will influence diversity initiatives through 2013. In broad terms, the goal of the Diversity Action Plan is to move the AIA forward to become a more inclusive professional organization that reflects the changing dynamics of the population served by architects now and in the future. The membership of that future organization will be characterized by the multiple perspectives, backgrounds and skills of its members who represent its voice in the design and construction industry. Through its transformation, the AIA hopes to lead the profession and the Academy to also become more inclusive and to sustain their relevance in the future as well.

2009 AIA Diversity Plenary
The AIA held its second diversity plenary, Value: The Difference – a Toolkit for Firms, on Tuesday, April 28, in San Francisco. This plenary brought together AIA Board members, collateral organizations, related organizations, firm representatives, interns, and students to identify tools, resources and approaches that can be utilized to increase diversity and inclusion within architecture firms.

The final outcome of this meeting will be a diversity toolkit for firms—an online resource designed to assist firms in a variety of topic areas. Subjects addressed at the meeting include: diversity management, HR policy, pipeline development, recruitment into architecture schools and the profession, succession planning, and women within the profession.

AIA/NOMA Memorandum of Understanding
The American Institute of Architects and the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) have collaborated on a Memorandum of Understanding. AIA President Marvin Malecha, FAIA; NOMA President Steve Lewis, AIA, NOMA; and AIA EVP/CEO Christine McEntee, signed the MOU during the second annual AIA Diversity Plenary, held April 28, 2009, in San Francisco.

AIA President Marvin Malecha, FAIA; NOMA President Steve Lewis, AIA, NOMA; and AIA EVP/CEO Christine McEntee, after signing the AIA/NOMA Memorandum of Understanding at the 2009 AIA Diversity Plenary.


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