Next to Lead
Next to Lead is a leadership development training program for racially and ethnically underrepresented women in architecture.
Leadership training for racially and ethnically underrepresented women in architecture
To create an architecture profession that serves everyone, we must include everyone. That’s why AIA created Next to Lead—an association and professional leadership program that removes barriers to AIA volunteer leadership positions for racially and ethnically underrepresented women in architecture.
Next to Lead is the first program of its kind to support association leadership development for racially and ethnically underrepresented women aspiring to become leaders within AIA. This program is part of AIA's ongoing commitment to advancing racial equity within our organization, the architecture profession, and our communities.
The cohort engages in a ten-month program aimed at enhancing their association leadership acumen, tackling challenges faced by women in the workplace and the architecture profession, and refining their leadership skills. Participants benefit from monthly virtual learning opportunities and in-person workshops, led by expert speakers and AIA staff.
2026 Submissions are now open
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.
Up to 18 women will be accepted into a ten-month program to enhance their association leadership acumen, give voice to relevant topics affecting women in the workplace and the profession, and refine their leadership skills. Participants will also receive specialized monthly learning opportunities and in-person workshops from expert speakers and instructors. Participants will discover AIA volunteer leadership opportunities tailored to their interests and strengths and will be empowered to apply for these positions when the Call for Volunteers opens in 2027.
Cohort participants meet monthly for virtual training sessions at a time determined by the group. Participants also take part in two in-person gatherings during Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) and the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design® (AIA27).
Next to Lead is free of charge for all participants. All cohort participants will receive complimentary registration and a travel stipend to attend WLS and AIA27. Participants will also receive complimentary registration for AIA Leadership Summit; travel expenses for AIA Leadership Summit are not included.
At the conclusion of the program, participants who meet all attendance and engagement requirements will receive a digital AIA Next to Lead credential badge.
Next to Lead benefits include:
- Education and insights on AIA’s leadership path
- Consideration for a volunteer leadership role with potential for future opportunities for those that apply
- Specialized training from expert speakers
- Development of association volunteer and professional leadership skills
- Platform for dialogue on topics affecting women in the workplace and the profession
- Special recognition at Women’s Leadership Summit and the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design
- Exclusive networking and mentorship opportunities
- Connection to the Next to Lead Alumni network
- Monthly virtual LU credit-earning sessions and digital credential badge
Questions? Email us
To be eligible, applicants must:
- be a current AIA Architect or Associate AIA member located in the U.S. and in good standing
- identify as a woman in mind, body, spirit, and/or in any form of human expression
- identify as a member of a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic group
Preference in scoring applications will be given to:
- candidates with 5–15 years of cumulative career experience
- actively engaged AIA members at the local, state, or national level; with preference for those who have not yet had extensive AIA leadership opportunities
Applicants are required to submit:
- a formal application
- two personal statements of interest (500 words max) outlining your volunteer background and experience, describing your commitment to AIA values at the local, state, or national level, and demonstrating your commitment to serve AIA upon completion of the program
- two letters of support
- a resume
- a professional headshot
- a short bio
- All applications will be screened by AIA staff to ensure the criteria for eligibility is met.
- Eligible candidates will then be reviewed by select jurors from AIA’s Equity and the Future of Architecture Committee (EQFA) and past Next to Lead cohort members. The jury will conduct a review of applications.
- The jury will deliberate, select, and notify up to 18 women to participate in the program. All applicants will be notified of their acceptance or denial.
July 2026: Applications open
August 7, 2026: Applications close
September 17, 2026, from 6-8pm ET: Next to Lead Orientation & Program Kick-off
October 15, 2026, from 6-8pm ET: Leveraging your CliftonStrengths for Personal Growth & Equity within the Profession
November 1-3, 2026: Next to Lead at WLS
December 2, 2026, from 6-8pm ET: Components Board of Directors Orientation
December 17, 2026, from 6-8pm ET: Storytelling & Developing Your Personal Brand for Influence
January 21, 2027, from 6-8pm ET: Non-profit Finance 101: Elevating Financial Leadership & Strategic Decision Making in the Boardroom
February 10 – 13, 2027: AIA Leadership Summit (optional)
February 18, 2027, from 6-8pm ET: Diplomacy & Negotiation
March 18, 2027, from 6-8pm ET: Navigating Bias, Microaggressions, & Workplace Challenges
April 15, 2027, from 6-8pm ET: Demystifying the AIA Volunteer Pathway & Volunteer Work-life Balance
May 19-22, 2027: Next to Lead Capstone Celebration at AIA27
June 10-13, 2027: Final Capstone Session: Volunteer Leadership & Work-life Balance
Next to Lead has developed an impressive community of alumni who remain actively engaged in the AIA community. Meet the alumni from earlier cohorts.
2025-2026 Next to Lead cohort
Kiruthika Balasubramanian, AIA, Quinn Evans, AIA DC
Chien-Yi Chu, Assoc. AIA, Integrus Architecture, AIA Washington Council
Isabel Cristina Ferreira de Souza, Assoc. AIA, PMBA Architects, AIA Toledo
Courtney Fisher, AIA, Ideation Design Group, AIA Arizona Phoenix Metro
Dorota Gocal, Assoc. AIA, N2 Design and Architecture PC, New York, Long Island
Whitni Irving, AIA, Studio Enée, Boston Society for Architecture
Allison Lane, AIA, AECOM, AIA New York
Ersa Llakmani, Assoc. AIA, Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED), AIA Connecticut
Rosa Manzo, Assoc. AIA, Davis Stokes Collaborative Architects, AIA Middle Tennessee
Sarah Mathews, AIA, Jacobs Engineering Group, AIA Houston
Kristen Petrilak, AIA, Gensler, AIA Pennsylvania
Sonya Shah, AIA, 720 design, AIA Colorado
Samira Sheikholeslami, AIA, University of Buffalo, AIA Buffalo/Western New York
Ranu Singh, Assoc. AIA, NBBJ, AIA Seattle
Paria Taheri, Assoc. AIA, WRA Architects, AIA Austin
Sheetal Vora, Assoc. AIA, Perkins&Will, AIA Chicago
Gozde Yildirim, AIA, HOK, AIA DC
Wenguel Yohannes, AIA, KAI Enterprises, AIA Dallas
2024-2025 Next to Lead cohort
Asia Burgin, Assoc. AIA, Williams Blackstock Architects, AIA Alabama & AIA Birmingham
Karen Chan, AIA, ZGF Architects, AIA Los Angeles
Crystal Day, AIA, The Miller Hull Partnership, AIA Seattle
Nkiru Gelles, AIA, Low Design Office, AIA Austin
Alexandra Goldstein, AIA, Ferguson Glasgow Schuster Soto, Inc., AIA Miami
Amaya Labrador, AIA, human eXperience, AIA Houston
Parva Markiw, AIA, DesignGroup, AIA Pittsburgh
Patricia Mutebi, Assoc. AIA, Snow Kreilich Architects, AIA Minneapolis
Ana Orosco, AIA, University of Florida, AIA Tallahassee
Alina Osnaga, Assoc. AIA, AIA Detroit
Veronica Pochet, AIA, Levin Porter Assoc., Inc., AIA Dayton
Oksana Ramos, AIA, Cunningham | Quill Architects PLLC, AIA DC
Sophia Razzaque, AIA, Page, AIA Austin
Telicious Robinson, Assoc. AIA, Cure Architects, AIA DC
Adriana Santa Cruz, AIA Charlotte
Shelly-Anne Tulia Scott, AIA, Moody Nolan, AIA Atlanta
Jonne Smith, AIA, Moody Nolan, AIA Atlanta
Madhuri Subramaniam, AIA, HNTB, AIA Baltimore
Nyx Valerdy Marquez, AIA, Perkins&Will, AIA Houston
Diane Yabut, AIA, KTGY, AIA DC
2022-2024 Next to Lead cohort
Anna Barbour, AIA, AIA Northern Virginia
Kuleya Bruce
Chelsea Davis, AIA, AIA Brooklyn
Libertad Lauren Harris, AIA, AIA West Jersey
Nicole Hilton, AIA, AIA Atlanta
Tanya Kataria, AIA, AIA Seattle
Siobhan Klinkenberg, Assoc. AIA, AIA San Francisco
Levitta Lawrence-Gathers
Whitney Lewis, Assoc. AIA, AIA Seattle
Brenna Martin-Shaffer, AIA, AIA Pittsburgh
Wendy Meguro, AIA, AIA Honolulu
Phuong Nguyen, AIA, AIA Omaha
Nasra Nimaga, AIA, AIA New York
Constance Owens, AIA, AIA Richmond
Melanie Ray, AIA, AIA Baltimore
Sophia Tarkhan, AIA, AIA Atlanta
Ellie Ziaie, AIA, AIA Minneapolis
AIA Next to Lead FAQ
Next to Lead is an association and professional leadership program designed to support women from racially and ethnically underrepresented groups in the architecture profession who are AIA members. It aims to remove barriers to AIA volunteer leadership positions and advance racial equity within the organization, the profession, and communities.
Benefits include enhanced leadership skills and association acumen, in-depth knowledge on issues impacting women in the workplace and the profession, specialized training from expert speakers, monthly virtual learning sessions, and in-person professional development and networking. Participants also receive mentorship from past Next to Lead participants, education on AIA’s national leadership pathway and advancement opportunities, learning unit (LU) credits, and special recognition at Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA27. In addition, participants receive complimentary registration and a travel stipend for both WLS and AIA27, as well as complimentary registration for the AIA Leadership Summit.
The program spans 10 months, beginning in September and ending in June. It features monthly sessions (virtual and in-person) and two in-person gatherings: Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA27.
The in-person gatherings at Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA27 are designed to provide intensive leadership training, networking opportunities, and recognition for participants. These gatherings are crucial for building connections and enhancing leadership acumen.
The program was streamlined to a one-year duration to minimize participant time commitments while maximizing effectiveness. This adjustment also aligns with national AIA volunteer recruitment cycles and chapter board elections to accelerate the placement of diverse candidates into leadership roles throughout AIA.
The program will accept no more than 18 candidates, maintaining a limited cohort size to facilitate networking and manageable training sessions.
Applicants must:
- be a current AIA Architect member or Associate AIA member located in the U.S. and in good standing.
- identify as a woman in mind, body, spirit, or any form of human expression.
- identify as a member of a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic group.
- commit to serve the organization upon program completion.
Yes, preference will be given to applicants who:
- have 5-15 years of cumulative career experience.
- are actively engaged AIA members at the local, state, or national level.
Key dates and deadlines for the 2026-27 cohort:
- Applications open: July 2026
- Applications close: August 7, 2026
- Selections made and participants announced: August 2026
- Program kick-off (virtual): September 2026
- Monthly virtual trainings: September 2026–June 2027
- In-person gathering at Women’s Leadership Summit (Kansas City): November 1-3, 2026
- AIA Leadership Summit (optional): February 10–13, 2027
- Capstone celebration AIA27: May 19–22, 2027
The program is free of charge for all participants. The program provides complimentary registration for Women’s Leadership Summit, AIA27, and the AIA Leadership Summit; and a $500 travel stipend for the Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA27 only. Financial support outside of the support stated or for other AIA events will not be provided.
All applications will be screened by AIA staff to ensure the criteria for eligibility is met. Eligible candidates will then be reviewed by select AIA member jurors. The jury will conduct a review of applications. The jury will deliberate, select, and notify the participants of the program. All applicants will be notified of their acceptance or denial.
Applicants must submit:
- a formal application.
- two brief statements outlining your personal interest in the Next to Lead program: (1) What interests you about the Next to Lead program, and what do you hope to achieve through your participation? Limit 500 words. (2) Why are you a strong candidate, and how do you see the program empowering your AIA volunteer leadership journey and enabling your contributions? Limit 500 words.
- two letters of support from an AIA member, AIA Fellow, Chapter Executive Director, Chapter elected officer, your firm’s principal, director, or direct supervisor. Sole practitioners may include a letter of recommendation from someone familiar with their previous architecture work.
- a resume.
- a professional headshot.
- a short bio.
Next to Lead advances racial equity by supporting women from racially and ethnically underrepresented groups in achieving leadership roles within AIA. This commitment reflects AIA's broader goal of promoting diversity and inclusion within the architecture profession and beyond.
Yes, participants will receive special recognition at both Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA27.
Next to Lead advances racial equity by supporting women from racially and ethnically underrepresented groups in achieving leadership roles within AIA. This commitment reflects AIA’s broader goal of promoting diversity and inclusion within the architecture profession and beyond.
The application period for the 2026-2027 is open through August 7, 2026. Detailed instructions are on the application portal.
Signing the participant agreement shows your commitment to actively participate in Next to Lead. From attending sessions to joining discussions and completing assignments, it's not just about your success in the program but also about making sure everyone gets the most out of it. The agreement also makes it clear that once you're accepted, your spot cannot be given to someone else. The agreement spells out your free registration for Women’s Leadership Summit, AIA27, and the AIA Leadership Summit, as well as the $500 travel stipend for Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA27 only. When you sign, you're demonstrating your commitment to serve as an AIA volunteer upon program completion.
It's not mandatory, but we strongly encourage you to continue your leadership journey. The program is designed to help you discover opportunities that match your interests and guide you in finding a leadership path that fits you best. We understand that everyone’s leadership journey is unique and influenced by various factors such as work and family commitments. Whether you choose to serve on a national, local, or state board or in another capacity, we support your decision and are here to help you find the right fit for your aspirations and circumstances.
No, once you are accepted into the program, your spot cannot be transferred to another individual. This policy helps maintain the integrity and fairness of the selection process and ensures that all participants have an equal opportunity to benefit from the program.
The program is specifically designed to support women from racially and ethnically underrepresented groups, advancing equity by increasing representation in leadership roles within AIA and the architecture profession.
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