Reflections on the 2025 AIA Leadership Summit
Fiona Mckay
A selfie outside Senator Tammy Duckworth’s office, in the Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.
In February I had the privilege of attending the 2025 AIA Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. – an event that stands out not only for its impressive scale but also for the important conversations and advocacy it fosters within the architectural community.
Hosted at the Grand Hyatt, the summit offered a unique platform for AIA chapter executives to sharpen their leadership skills while engaging in important policy discussions with lawmakers. It’s one of those rare opportunities where you get to connect the dots between local and national leadership and to influence change. I came away feeling deeply inspired and more grounded in my role as AIA UK Vice President.
Touring the AIA Global Headquarters ongoing renovation.
AIA Headquarters Tour: A Glimpse of the Future
My first conference day kicked off with a tour of the AIA National Headquarters, which was particularly interesting for me, as it was my first visit. The building is currently undergoing a major renovation, which, as I learned, is one of the first fully decarbonized major renovations in the U.S. The project is being led by San Francisco’s EHDD architecture firm, with Turner Construction managing the build. The transformation of this 50-year-old structure is aimed at maximizing energy efficiency while reducing its carbon footprint.
The new facade features solar shades that not only reduce heat but also generate electricity. The fritted glass design was optimized to provide shading based on the site's solar path, ensuring efficient energy use. This approach highlights a modern, innovative take on sustainable design, demonstrating advanced computational techniques in architectural design.
Another thing that caught my attention was learning that the Secret Service has offices in the same building. With this in mind, additional cybersecurity and backup power systems are being integrated to ensure uninterrupted communications, a reminder of the complex nature of public buildings in Washington, D.C.
For anyone interested in staying updated on the project, I recommend checking out the latest news on the AIA Global Campus for Architecture and Design HERE.
From left to right: Barbara DiGregorio, Becky Gill, Alex Lopez, Adelina Koleva, unknown delegate, Jeremy Gentile.
Building Connections: Networking & Collaboration
One of the most rewarding aspects of the summit was the opportunity to connect with individuals from across the country and internationally. A few months ago, I connected with David Zuniga, a representative from Arizona, on LinkedIn. David had been actively exploring opportunities in the UK, so it was great to finally meet him in person. During the conference, he received the exciting news that he had been accepted into the prestigious Bartlett School of Architecture in London—a well-deserved accomplishment!
Posing with the AIA International delegation. From left to right: Yew Kee Chong, Shannon Ho, Barbara DiGregorio, Adelina Koleva, Thierry Parret, Vikki Lew, Adam Pantelimon.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Barbara DiGregorio, my counterpart as CE Vice President. We teamed up throughout the summit, keeping each other company, and addressing various issues impacting international architects. We also had the chance to connect with the AIA International group over dinner at Seven Reasons, a modern, Mexican-inspired restaurant.
During the dinner, we were joined by several AIA International leaders – people who were only names for me until now:
Yew Kee Chong, President of AIA International
Thierry Paret, Strategic Council Representative, AIA International
Adam Pantelimon, AIA Canada Society Chapter Representative, AIA International
Shannon Ho, Vice President of AIA Hong Kong
Vikki Lew, AIA International & AIA HK COTE Chair
It was an enjoyable and lively evening filled with laughter and shared stories. I was glad to finally meet the International team!
Posing with Barbara DiGregorio, 2025 AIA Continental Europe Vice President, on the main conference stage.
Throughout the summit, I had the privilege of making many other inspiring connections, particularly with members of the AIA Illinois chapter. One of the highlights was a chance encounter with Evelyn Lee, the 2025 AIA National President. While I can't recount every conversation, the overall experience was incredibly enriching and reaffirmed the importance of networking and collaboration.
Posing with Barbara DiGregorio and the AIA Illinois delegation outside the Calder sculpture inside the main lobby of the Hart Senate Building.
Leadership Development
Although I was jetlagged and didn’t manage to attend as many sessions as I’d hoped, I still came away with plenty of insights. The conference offered 20 expert-led sessions on topics such as advocacy, leadership, and management.
One of the most thought-provoking discussions I participated in revolved around bridging the generational gap within our profession. During the Leadership Development: Aligning Profit with Purpose session, I joined a table where senior members were expressing concerns about younger generations lacking practical experience. I could empathize with their point of view, as I’ve found myself facing similar frustrations when my students didn’t seem to meet my expectations. Having been on both sides of that dynamic, I understood the challenge of recognizing potential that goes unnoticed.
The Grand Hyatt main conference hall during the first keynote lecture by Dr. Christine Porath on mastering community in the workplace. Photo by Adelina Koleva.
I shared my perspective, drawing on my own experiences as both an educator and a practitioner. While it's true that younger generations may not be trained in traditional methods, they bring valuable new skills to the table—such as coding and technological proficiency—that are increasingly essential in today's evolving landscape. I mentioned that, for instance, some of my fourth-year students already know programming, something I only started learning a few years ago. However, they lack the experience of working on real-world projects, which is where I have benefited from practical exposure.
This sparked an engaging conversation about the importance of a two-way exchange of knowledge. The older generation offers practical, hands-on expertise that is invaluable, while younger professionals bring fresh perspectives and technological skills that can drive innovation. Both sides must be open to learning from one another to build resilient, forward-thinking organizations. It was encouraging to see how this idea resonated with others in the room, and I left the discussion feeling optimistic about the potential for a more collaborative future in the profession.
AIA Illinois, AIA Continental Europe, and AIA United Kingdom take a photo in Senator Richard Durbin’s conference room. Photo by Adelina Koleva.
Advocacy
One of the highlights of my experience was participating in Hill Day, where Barbara and I joined the AIA Illinois delegation on their advocacy missions to the House and Senate. The Illinois group was exceptionally organized, and I was impressed by the professional manner in which they approached their meetings and campaigns.
Despite being newcomers, Barbara and I were welcomed with open arms and were able to contribute to the discussions. The Illinois team ensured that we felt part of the process, helping us navigate our schedule and giving us valuable insight into their advocacy work.
We had a seat at the table to engage in discussion on pressing issues facing architecture in America.
My advocacy schedule included the following members of Congress:
Sen. Richard Durbin, IL-S
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, IL-S
Rep. Nikki Budzinski, IL-13
Rep. Bill Foster, IL-12 (my home district)
Rep. Brad Scheider, IL-10
Rep. Mike Bost, IL-12 (my home district)
During our time on Capitol Hill, we met with the office of U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, an influential figure in shaping policy in Washington. Together with AIA Illinois, we advocated for critical issues impacting the built environment, such as housing availability, disaster preparedness, and design freedom. Although international architects may not always have a direct influence on U.S. domestic policy, we can still offer valuable global perspectives on challenges that transcend borders.
The main points for advocacy were as follows:
Design Freedom for Federal Architecture: Advocating for the Democracy in Design Act to protect local community control and prevent unnecessary federal design mandates.
Update Fee Limitations for Federal Contracts: Requesting updates to the current 6% fee cap on cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts, which disproportionately affects small and mid-sized firms.
Support for More Housing: Advocating for the reauthorization of the HOME program with an increased administrative cap and advocating for a funding increase for the Community Development Block Grant Program.
Support for Community Resiliency: Urging Congress to increase funding for FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant programs and resilience-focused legislation like the Resilient AMERICA Act and The Shelter Act.
Tax Incentives for Architects: Supporting business-friendly tax policies that encourage R&D investment, private-sector affordable housing, and tax parity for businesses of all sizes, with a focus on improvements to the R&D tax credit and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
For more information on this year’s advocacy issues, please get in touch with AIA UK and we can share the Congressional Meetings Guide.
A visitor from the UK on Capitol Hill. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.
Conclusion: The Power of Leadership
Reflecting on my time at the 2025 AIA Leadership Summit, I’m reminded that true leadership isn’t about being the loudest or the most outspoken. It’s about conviction, persistence, and the ability to connect the dots between disparate ideas, people, and policies. It’s about seeing the bigger picture and finding practical solutions that make a difference.
Washington, D.C. is undoubtedly a challenging environment right now, with an atmosphere that feels uncertain and unprecedented. However, I’m optimistic that the work we do as architects and leaders can contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future. The work may be tough, but it’s necessary, and I’m excited to continue being a part of it alongside like-minded individuals who are committed to making a real impact.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to AIA UK for providing me with this invaluable opportunity. I am hopeful that my participation in the conference will contribute to positive outcomes for our membership and the broader architectural community.
The Lincoln Memorial – one of the most inspiring locations in Washington, D.C. Lincoln hailed from Springfield – the capital of Illinois, my home state. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.
A plaque commemorates the office formerly occupied by Barack Obama – a former Illinois Senator representing my home state. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.
Written by Adelina Koleva, AIA
