Women's Leadership Summit

Women in architecture, design, and the allied building industries are one of the most influential groups in these professions. Yet when looking at leadership roles in these industries, we still ask: Where are they?

Women’s Leadership Summit, founded by AIA, is a premier event that brings together the industry’s largest network of diverse women who are breaking down barriers, making themselves visible, and manifesting the careers they want—while making a difference in the world.

Convening is important, but what happens at WLS is unique.  

• Connect with a diverse community that wants to support you.
• Share pathbreaking ideas to tackle challenges, uncover potential, and lead change.
• Celebrate women leaders at every career stage, empowering everyone to change the future.  

The event focuses on networking, leadership training, business development, gender equity, and personal empowerment. It’s all powered by the AIA community—the largest, most influential network of architecture professionals and allies creating a better world through architecture, relationships, collaboration, opportunities, and belonging.

Join us in Boston, September 12-14, for Women’s Leadership Summit 2023. Registration will open in mid to late June 2023.

Schedule at-a-glance:

• Tuesday, September 12, evening welcome reception
• Wednesday, September 13, noon kick-off, evening networking
• Thursday, September 14, full day program, evening networking

Thank you to our WLS 2023 partner, Boston Society for Architecture.

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Sho-Ping Chin Women’s Leadership Summit Grant

In honor of Sho-Ping Chin, FAIA, we are thrilled to offer a grant opportunity for recipients to attend the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit. Sho-Ping was a principal at Payette and in 2009 the founding leader of the inaugural AIA Women’s Leadership Summit. Tragically Sho-Ping succumbed to cancer in 2015, but her legacy of women’s leadership continues. The memorial fund established in her name is focused on funding the development of future women leaders in architecture.

Learn more >

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WLS 2023 Advisory Group

Each year, WLS continues to grow and broaden with attendees spanning all backgrounds, career stages, and areas of expertise. In 2023 we launched a national-led advisory group to design a program that supports the needs of our diverse audience. WLS Advisors are comprised of women from across the country and will offer expertise, perspective, and advice that will assist AIA National as we develop the programming for the Summit.

Check out our inaugural Advisors below:  

Yanel de Angel, FAIA, Boston  (Co-Chair)

Kelly Ard Haigh, AIA, Boston  (Co-Chair)

Jennifer Wright, AIA, Portland, Oregon

Whitney Lewis, Assoc. AIA, Seattle

Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA, Washington, D.C.

Milan Jordan, Assoc. AIA, Washington, D.C.

Aimée Moore, Assoc. AIA, Columbus, Ohio

Maria Kook, AIA, Chicago