Robust New Jersey Contingency Attends AIA Leadership Summit

March 05, 2025

Robust New Jersey Contingency Attends AIA Leadership Summit

On Monday, February 24th, 2025, AIA New Jersey – The New Jersey Society of Architects leaders from every corner of the state traveled to our Nation’s capital to participate in the The American Institute of Architects Leadership Summit! Six Hundred Fifty local, state and national member volunteers and staff gathered to listen to problems, share best practices, meet mentors, create partnerships, debate divergent perspectives, understand one another, and communicate our issues to our legislative officials. Eighteen AIA New Jersey – The New Jersey Society of Architects leaders were present in Washington, D.C., making a difference and ready to bring innovative vision back to our state and local components.

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AIA New Jersey President Andrew Thompson, AIA, NOMAC; Executive Director Matt Halpin; President-Elect Jessica O’Donnell, AIA; Strategic Councilor Verity Frizzell, FAIA; Young Architects Representative Abigail Benjamin, AIA; Associate Representative Michael Rosado, Associate AIA; Legislative and Government Affairs Chair Kurt Kalafsky, AIA; New Jersey Political Action Committee Vice-Chair Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA; and representative and NJ NOMA President Taylor Latimer, Associate AIA, NOMA; AIA West Jersey President Lauren Harris, AIA; AIA Architects League of Northern New Jersey President Chris Brand, AIA; President-Elect Eric Lam, AIA; and Vice President Cheryl Fothergill, AIA; AIA Central Jersey President Tania Althoff, AIA; and President-Elect David von Stappenbeck, AIA; AIA Newark and Suburban President-Elect Kelli Glasgow, AIA; Trustee Shiva Khodadadi, AIA; and Executive Director, Robert Epstein attended.

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The program began with welcome remarks by The Honorable Stephen Ayers, FAIA, interim EVP/ CEO for AIA and President Evelyn Lee, FAIA, and introductions of the VIPs!

Andrew Thompson, AIA; Cheryl Fothergill, AIA; Abby Benjamin, AIA; Taylor Latimer, Associate AIA and Libertad Lauren Harris, AIA, at the AIA EDI Seminar

During one of the concurrent sessions, AIA EDI member leaders from across the country convened for the first time at the Leadership Summit and AIA NJ was front and center at the table. The National Committee launched a Component Connect-EDI Discussion group that corrolates with the topics framed at the summit. Rich dialogue and good strategies were presented by expert colleagues Andrea Milo, MAEd., Kendall Nicholson, Associate AIA; Mary-Margaret Zindren, CAE; and Tiffany Mayhew of NOMA.

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The second day of The American Institute of Architects Leadership Summit included inspirational community building, candidates introductions, education, lobbying preparations, environmental design encouragement, meet the mayors and so much more! Highlights

included a humorous and inspirational keynote by Baratunde Thurston on “How to Citizen” and remarks from Congresswoman Dina Titus in preparation for our visit to Capitol Hill the following day.

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Other very popular educational sessions included the Architect-Mayors Panel and AIA’s partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and The Art of Balancing AIA Leadership with Everything Else presented by AIA Past President Emily Grandstand-Rice, FAIA.

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Festivities included the NJ State dinner, the Large States Dinner, multiple social receptions, and an unofficial dinner out in DC!

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