Next to Lead
Next to Lead is a leadership development training program for racially and ethnically diverse women in architecture who aspire to be AIA leaders.

Leadership training for ethnically diverse women in architecture
To create an architecture profession that serves everyone, we must include everyone. That’s why we created Next to Lead—an association and professional leadership program that removes barriers to AIA volunteer leadership positions for racially and ethnically diverse women in architecture.
Next to Lead is the first program of its kind to support association leadership for ethnically diverse women aspiring to be leaders of the 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 will engage 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.
Applications for the 2025-2026 Next to Lead Cohort are now open.
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 speakers opens in 2026.
Cohort participants meet monthly for virtual training sessions at a time determined by the group. Participants also take part in two in-person retreats during Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) and AIA’s Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA26).
Next to Lead is free of charge for all participants. All cohort participants will receive a complimentary registration and travel stipend to WLS and AIA26.
At the conclusion of the program, participants who meet all attendance and engagement requirements will receive the AIA Next to Lead Leadership and Volunteer Engagement Certificate.
Next to Lead benefits include:
- Education and insights on AIA’s leadership path
- Placement in a volunteer leadership position with the opportunity to advance
- Specialized trainings from expert speakers, including monthly in-person workshops
- Development of association volunteer and professional leadership skills
- Voice on the topics affecting women in the workplace and the profession
- Special recognition at Women’s Leadership Summit and 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 an end-of-program certificate
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
- be racially or ethnically diverse
Preference in scoring applications will be given to:
- candidates with 5–20 years of cumulative career experience
- actively engaged AIA members at the local, state, or national level
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, 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 blind 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.
June 2025: Applications open
August 8, 2025: Applications close
August 31, 2025: Cohort is announced
September 18, 2025, from 6-8 pm: Next to Lead orientation & program kick-off
October 16, 2025, from 6-8 pm: Leveraging your CliftonStrengths for Personal Growth & Equity within the Profession
November 5, 2025, from 1-4 pm: Next to Lead Retreat at WLS: Strategic Networking, Relationship Building, Social Capital
December 11, 202,5 from 6-8 pm: Components Board of Directors Orientation
December 18, 202,5 from 6-8 pm: Storytelling & Developing Your Personal Brand for Influence
January 15, 2026, from 6-8 pm: Diplomacy & Negotiation
February 19, 2026, from 6-8 pm: Volunteer Leadership & Work-life balance
March 20, 2026, from 6-8 pm: Navigating Bias, Microaggressions, & Workplace Challenges
April 16, 2026, from 6-8 pm: Non-profit Finance 101: Elevating Financial Leadership & Strategic Decision Making in the Boardroom
May 21, 2026, from 6-8 pm: Elevating to FAIA: Insights for Women
June 10-13, 2026: Next to Lead end-of-program gathering at AIA26
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Next to Lead cohort members:
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
AIA Next to Lead FAQ
Next to Lead is an association and professional leadership program designed to support racially and ethnically diverse women 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 workshops. Participants also receive mentorship from past Next to Lead participants, education on AIA’s national leadership path and advancement opportunities, networking opportunities, learning unit (LU) credits, special recognition at Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA26, along with complimentary registration and a travel stipend for both events.
The program spans 10 months, beginning in September and ending in June. It features monthly sessions (virtual and in-person) and two in-person retreats: Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA26.
The in-person retreats at Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA26 are designed to provide intensive leadership training, networking opportunities, and recognition for participants. These retreats 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.
- be racially or ethnically diverse.
- commit to serve the organization upon program completion.
Yes, preference will be given to applicants who:
- have 5-20 years of cumulative career experience.
- are actively engaged AIA members at the local, state, or national level.
- Key dates and deadlines for the 2025-26 cohort:
- Applications open: June 2025
- Applications close: August 2025
- Selections made and participants announced: August 2025
- Program kick-off (virtual): September 2025
- In-person retreat at Women’s Leadership Summit (Atlanta): November 2-5, 2025
- Monthly virtual trainings: October 2025–May 2026
- Monthly virtual trainings: March 2026–June 2026
- In-person retreat at AIA26: June 2026
- Final celebration (virtual): July 2026
The program is free of charge for all participants. The program provides complimentary registration and a $500 travel stipend for Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA26. 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 blind 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.
The program covers association volunteer and professional leadership skills, explores issues affecting women in the workplace, and addresses topics relevant to the profession of architecture.
Yes, participants will receive special recognition at both Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA26.
Next to Lead advances racial equity by supporting racially and ethnically diverse women 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 2025-2026 is open through August 8, 2025. 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 and travel stipend for Women’s Leadership Summit and AIA26. 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 racially and ethnically diverse women, ensuring a diverse range of voices and perspectives in leadership roles within AIA and the architecture profession.