Shine The light
September 2025
Shine the Light is a series of articles featuring our members whose passionate efforts advance and align with our values, visibility, and voice. It is a new feature section in our newsletter.
For this third edition, we spotlight the three At-Large Directors: Gustavo Ribeiro (The Americas), Lanre Olusola (Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia), and Alex Chuang (East Asia and Oceania), who share their insights on the challenges and opportunities of serving AIA’s global diaspora. Each At-Large Director oversees the Sections and collaborates with Country Representatives (CR) within their region to facilitate exchanges, expand membership, and serve as the voice of AIA members worldwide.
Lanre Olusola
Gustavo Ribeiro
Alex Chuang
Below is a summary of a conversation between Gustavo Ribeiro [GB], Lanre Olusola [LO], Alex Chuang [AC], and Yew Kee [YKC]:
[YKC] Two points of AIA International’s mission statement are: “We are the voice of our members to the AIA” and “We bring the AIA to the world.”
What resonates with you most in these two statements? What do you feel can be better defined in AIA International’s mission?
[GB] During the creation of AIA Latin America, I saw how vital it is for architects outside the U.S. to feel represented — to have their realities and perspectives truly heard within AIA. That’s what resonates most with me about being the voice of our members; it’s about building bridges between cultures, languages, and professional systems.
Equally inspiring is “bringing the AIA to the world,” which to me is not just about expansion but relevance. When I represented AIA International at the CAU Conference in Brasília, speaking on professional mobility to the U.S. and on formalization of contracts, I was reminded that our global mission is strongest when it fosters mutual understanding.
If there’s room for improvement, I’d say it lies in defining how these voices are gathered and acted upon. We could strengthen the mechanisms for representation and make “bringing AIA to the world” more reciprocal—an exchange where international members also bring their innovation and insights back to the AIA. Our mission should reflect that two-way flow.
[LO] Connecting with members wherever they may be is the essence of AIA International. AIA Sub-Saharan Africa (AIA SSA), with members in over 40 countries and numbering around 100 in 14 of those countries, has focused to give architects a sense of collective belonging and visibility under this administration.
[AC] Over the past three years, I’ve led the establishment of the AIA Taipei Section and participated in joint events with AIA South Korea and AIA Southeast Asia. I’m now supporting the creation of another section. These experiences embody our mission of bringing AIA to the world and expanding our collective voice internationally.
[YKC] Share one initiative where you’ve made a significant impact in your role. Is there an opportunity you wish you could have leveraged further?
[GB] Creating AIA Latin America has been one of the most meaningful initiatives I’ve been part of. It transformed a dispersed group of members into a connected, visible, and influential community. In one year, we expanded representation to 33 countries, doubled membership in Brazil, and built strong institutional ties—such as the MOU between CAU and AIA International. Representing AIA at the CAU International Conference in September reinforced our presence in key regional dialogues on professional mobility and contract law. This kind of visibility helps architects see themselves as part of something larger.
If I could have leveraged one opportunity further, it would have been securing greater institutional support—resources to empower Country Representatives, funding for local events, and stronger digital infrastructure for continuous engagement. The enthusiasm and momentum are there; what’s needed now is the framework to sustain it.
[LO] Having the privilege to engineer the appointment of Country Representatives in 12 countries across the Africa and South Asia cluster has significantly enhanced AIA International’s presence in regions considered “Unassigned Areas.” We’ll continue to build on this foundation and foster collaboration with Chapters and Sections in the coming years.
[AC] In 2024, I initiated an AIA Taipei delegation visit to AIA South Korea, including office visits and a joint forum. In April 2025, both sections co-hosted another forum, and for 2026, my goal is to establish an AIA East Asia Forum to strengthen exchanges among members and create a shared regional platform.
[YKC] How can AIA International best support your efforts over the next year? What advice would you give to Country Representatives to inspire them to be more active in recruiting new members and engaging existing ones?
[GB] AIA International can best support our efforts by providing tangible resources—regional coordination, small grants, and communication tools—to strengthen local engagement. Empowering Country Representatives will make our sections more dynamic and self-sustaining. AIA’s visibility in regional and global forums should also grow, with Latin American members featured prominently in publications, panels, and awards.
To Country Representatives, my advice is: stay close to your members, understand what they value, and make AIA present in their professional lives. Build partnerships with universities, professional bodies, and design events; share success stories of your members; and maintain authentic, regular contact. Engagement is not only about large conferences - it’s the consistent, smaller connections that build trust and belonging.
[LO] As At-Large Director and President of AIA Sub-Saharan Africa, I integrated all CRs into the Section Board to encourage full participation and shared ownership of the activities and programs within the section. This allows healthy peer review and encourages desire for achievements, and has greatly improved synergy and communication between the CRs and AIA SSA. More incentives—like paid AIA event discounts—would further support their roles.
[AC] To deepen member engagement in Asia, especially with CRs, I plan to expand collaborations through virtual and in-person forums and forums, and organize high-quality exchanges. The possible 2026 AIA International Asia Architecture Symposium could be a key milestone. Support from AIA International in communications, logistics, and sponsorship will be invaluable.
Yew Kee Cheong, FAIA, MSIA
2024-2025 AIA International President
2024 President, AIA Southeast Asia
yewkee.cheong@aiainternational.org
