Carrie L. Parker, AIA
Carrie Lee Parker, AIA, is a 2026 recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. She advances the profession through mentorship, advocacy, and leadership that empowers the next generation of architects.
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Laura PetersThe central gathering space at Western Michigan University Student Center, for which Carrie was the student life programmer and planner. -
Sam KittnerSeating stair at the University of Florida Reitz Union under a "gator belly" ceiling of Carrie's design. -
Wade GriffthThe mission of Texas Woman's University on display at the renovated Hubbard Hall. Carrie was the programmer and planner for the project. -
Stacy MosesCarries engaging with industry partners in the AIA Manufacturer's Council, advocating for young architect needs.
Carrie Lee Parker, AIA, is an associate vice president at CannonDesign and a national leader in shaping the future of the profession through mentorship, advocacy, and service. A powerful voice for emerging professionals, she has dedicated her career to creating pathways for architects to thrive, guiding students, supporting licensure, and elevating early-career voices across the industry.
As strategic vision director of the AIA Young Architects Forum, Parker leads initiatives that influence the profession on a national scale, including research efforts that examine the challenges and opportunities facing emerging architects. Her work bridges insight and action, translating data into programs that strengthen the profession’s future.
Grounded in a people-first approach, Parker integrates advocacy and mentorship into her design practice, engaging communities and students as active participants in shaping the built environment. Through leadership, service, and design, she fosters a more inclusive, connected, and resilient profession, one that empowers individuals to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
The Young Architect Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.
See all the early career architects recognized for exceptional work.
Ceara O’Leary, AIA, is a 2026 recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. She is recognized for her human-centered design approach and dedication to mentoring the next generation of architects.
