President's Letter - June 2025

President’s Letter

June 2025

“Are we being good ancestors?” – Dr. Jonas Salk

At Architects, not Architecture (AnA) Singapore in March 2025, my good friend Richard Hassell of WOHA Architects posed this profound question by Dr. Jonas Salk, the pioneer of the polio vaccine. According to the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, this quote “encapsulates a timeless truth that speaks to the core of our humanity and our duty to the future”. I felt uneasy assessing myself! 

The question resonates deeply. I believe that true leadership MUST secure the future. Beyond leaving our mother earth in good environmental health for the lives that come after us, I’ve been reflecting on succession planning within AIA International. As servant leaders, are we being good ancestors? How are we preparing future leaders? How do we attract, inspire, and empower impactful leaders who will take on ExCom roles, strengthen the Board? Be the NEW LINK in a great chain!

LEADERSHIP

Over the past year and a half, my focus has been to create an environment that promotes leadership pathways to enter and move up; encourages collaboration among chapters, sections and peer organizations, and values their contribution. We've invited section presidents to attend Board meetings as adjunct directors, initiated partnerships with RIBA, ULI, and CAU, and celebrated exemplary contributions. Share experiences. Shape inputs. (Refer to Shine the Light Series #2)

Cultivate A More Empowering Environment

We are in the midst of election for a new 2026-2027 Treasurer—results to be announced at our upcoming AGM. In less than a year, we will post nominations for a new 2027 Vice President and 2027-2028 Secretary. These are key roles in ExCom, and I encourage everyone to consider stepping up. It is crucial we plan for pipeline leadership succession to ensure the great chain will be stronger and more diverse. 

Invest in Leader Development

We are committed to nurturing our leaders providing growth with initiatives like the training “Orientation for New Board Members” and our Mentor-Mentee Program. I encourage each Board member to build your influence — identify and develop a buddy system— something that has proven effective in countries with dual Country Reps and among some Sections. Let’s learn from our most established Chapters and amplify our impact.

Display Leadership Quality

At the AIA 2025 Global Workshop in Boston, I had the honor of moderating a distinguished panel with leaders from AIA, RIBA, and the Australian Institute of Architects. The session’s topic was “AIA Global Outlook: Trends in the Discipline, Practice, and Business of Architecture”. I deliberately framed the global outlook discussion by asking each panellist to reflect on past leadership role and identify a position, in order to situate the future from a global perspective. For those who attended, I hope you gained valuable insights into diverse leadership styles to address global disruptions and emerging trends, especially in AI. In subsequent sessions, leaders from other chapters and allied partners shared their insights, actively participated in discussions, and further deepened networks. 

AIA International Global Workshop Session 1, AIA2025, Boston.  

Hope connects us with the past. How will these lessons help us become good ancestors securing AIA International’s future?

VALUE

In Q1 2025, I highlighted three exemplary global initiatives—our global knowledge community, mentorship program, and membership engagement—that reinforced Value for all members.

This quarter, I’d like to share my thoughts on Value for our partners and sponsors. I particularly addressed this at the Azabudai event in Tokyo and the 2025 Osaka Expo, which were extraordinary successes. These events created great Visibility and access to high-level networking for our sponsors and partners, drawing interest from real estate industry, developers, investors, manufacturers, academics, and industry leaders, which are keen to sponsor similar events with other chapters.

Kudos to Segene and AIA Japan!

VISIBILITY

This last quarter we surpassed our Visibility index across global platforms, national and international stages, and external peer institutes. Our advocacy and engagement paid off.

At AIA 2025, our Visibility was indisputable. I could not be prouder —The AIA International Global Workshop was a smashing sell-out with over 300 registrants. I received many compliments for both content and thought leadership. “Meet the AIA International” at the AIA Lounge was a heartwarming gathering of international and domestic members, and vendors, for an afternoon of congeniality and fellowship.

Meet the AIA International @AIA Lounge, AIA2025, Boston

Gain Recognition at National

  • AIA International Global Workshop at AIA 2025 (June 4)

  • Meet the International @ AIA Lounge, AIA Expo 2025 (June 6)

  • International Reception @ AIA 2025 (June 6)

  • International President Forum @ AIA 2025 (June 7)

International Presidents Forum @AIA2025, Boston. 

With CEO of NorthGlass @AIA2025 Expo, Boston.

Focus on Engagement at AIA International:

  • AIA Continental Europe & AIA UK: “Genius Loci,” Cork, Ireland (Apr 11–13)

  • AIA Southeast Asia “Meet the President” in Singapore (May 6–7)

  • AIA International + AIA Japan at Azabudai Hills (Apr 26) and Osaka Expo (May 29–30)

AIA-ASA Meeting at Assoc. of Siamese Architects ASA2025, Bangkok. 

Build Strong External Relations

  • Attended the ASA (Association of Siamese Architects) International Forum, under the Royal Patronage, Bangkok (May 3–5)

  • Launch of AIA Oceania Section with AIA Australia in Sydney (Apr 29–May 2). Met with past presidents of the Australia Institute of Architects in Sydney. Supported Simon Wells, Country Rep, Australia to kick-start the AIA Oceania section formation,

  • Met with AIA New York, Center for Architecture, and Susan Chin, FAIA (June 9)

  • Met with RIBA leadership at SIA Archifest, Singapore (June 24–27)

Dinner with Past Presidents of Australia Institute of Architects, Sydney. 

With AIA New York leadership @Center for Architecture, NYC. 


ACHIEVEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

Finally, let me recognize numerous notable achievements in Q2, 2025, and what lies ahead in Q3:

National:

  • AIA International Global Practice Workshop @ AIA 2025 (June 4)

  • Meet the International @ AIA Lounge, AIA Expo 2025, Boston (June 6) 

Chapter Lectures/Events (Online/In-Person) 

  • AIA Int’l and AIA Japan, Azabudai Hills: A New Urban Vision”, Event in Tokyo (Apr 26)

  • Italy Session by AIA Continental Europe (May 16)

  • AIA Canada Society Webinar ”AI’s role in Securing AEC Data: Paving the Path Forward”, (May 28)

  • AIA Int’l & AIA Japan, 2025 Osaka Expo (May 29–30)

Upcoming Events:

Let’s continue to build on these well-deserved visibilities! Be the NEW LINK in a great chain!

CONCLUSION

In peace, stay safe, I hope to see you all at our AIA International Conference 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka this October.

Don’t forget to attend our AIA International AGM, July 3, 2025, from 8:00–9:00am (EST)!

All the best,

Yew Kee Cheong, FAIA, MSIA 
2024-2025 AIA International President

Thank you to our Sponsors: