Practice and Design Conference |

Keynote: Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA


THRIVE in ’25. Leading the Institute as the 101st President of AIA

2024 AIA President-Elect

9 – 10:15am • Grays (1 CEU)

November 15, 2024

Keystone, CO

Hear the latest on AIA national initiatives from the elected leadership. With a mindset that’s tuned for focusing on the opportunity of what lies ahead and the conversations and collaborative spirit it will take to get us there, Evelyn Lee is promising to follow the “More in ‘24” mantra of 100th Institute President Kimberly Dowdell with “Thrive in ’25.”

So what does that look like? 

Transparent

Human

Resilient

Intrepid

Visionary

Empowering

Building an organization that is:

Transparent: Fostering open communication and trust among members means holding one another accountable. Providing information before action whenever possible.  

Human: Emphasizing empathy, member engagement, and the human impact of architecture – realizing that we are better together rather than alone. At the local, state, and national levels.

Resilient: Addressing adaptability and proactive strategies for meeting challenges, leaning into our strategic initiatives of Climate Action and EDI by becoming more resilient ourselves.

Intrepid: Championing boldness and courage in exploring new ideas, pushing boundaries, and embracing innovation. Encouraging members to take risks and lead with resilience in the face of uncertainty, embodying the fortitude needed for lasting impact.  

Visionary: Focusing on creating our next multi-year strategic plan, a review of our governance structure, and long-term goals for the organization.

Empowering: Uplifting members and providing them with the resources and support to thrive. 

In her candidate speech at A’23 in San Francisco, Lee asked the delegates: How will we navigate this moment of change? How will we meet this moment? 

The reality is that change is constant and relentless. And while you can’t always predict what will happen or claim to have all the answers, you can hold onto enduring values to navigate uncertainty.

Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, is a multi-faceted professional who uniquely blends her architectural background with a tech-driven focus. As an architect now immersed in the tech industry, she serves as an angel investor, startup advisor, and fractional COO for SMB Architecture firms, playing a pivotal role in their growth and success. Despite her career transition, Evelyn’s passion for architecture remains unshaken, fueled by a deep admiration for the professionals in the field, their dedication to serving clients, and the indelible impact they imprint on communities.

A sought-after speaker, Evelyn regularly shares her insights on the evolution of architecture practice, leadership and team development, the integration of technology in practice operations, and the exploration of alternative careers. Outside of her architectural pursuits, she is a founding advisor for Women Defining AI, championing a more inclusive and diverse landscape in artificial intelligence. Evelyn Lee’s leadership and forward-thinking approach are not just about innovation and progress, they’re about guiding the architectural profession towards new, uncharted directions.

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