President's Letter - December 2025

President’s Letter

December 2025

ÀDÉBÒWÁLÉ 

The Crown has returned home. 

The name, from the Yõrùbá tribe, was given to me by Abimbola Ajayi, AIA International Country Representative for Nigeria, during my visit to Lagos in October 2025. According to Abimbola, it signifies the arrival of a noble person of leadership or status, and the return of greatness to the household. 

AIA Sub-Saharan Africa (AIA SSA), Design Week Lagos 2025, Keynote Presentation

I never dreamt that my wish to visit members from the AIA Sub-Saharan Africa countries of Nigeria and Kenya could have honored me with such a distinguished name. I was merely inspired by Pope Francis’s vision of reaching the “peripheries” of the world, a key theme since his election in 2013. Papa’s 11-day Asia-Pacific tour in 2024 to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore was the longest and farthest trip of his pontificate, shortly before His Grace was called home. As epiphanies go, I actually confided in a few close friends months before I assumed my 2024–2025 presidency that I had made a promise to visit Africa. Africa is a continent too big to ignore and thus became my “periphery” pivot during my term. 

AIA SSA talk with AIA Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria. (L-R) Adebenga Oshineye, Daryna Panchak, Yew Kee Cheong, Abimbola Ajayi, Olusola Lanre, Auwal

Towards the end of my second year, I fulfilled this promise to visit Nigeria and Kenya, countries where I felt AIA International’s influence was much needed. My understanding of Africa was limited to the iconic yellow rectangle of National Geographic I grew up reading at home. In both Lagos and Nairobi, I had a packed schedule of engagement and advocacy, meeting members, peer institute leaders, and partners.

AIA x AAK forum with AIA Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya. Florence Nyole and Architectural Association of Kenya leadership

From keynote presentations and building tours to cultural evenings, it was an enriching experience. My three aims were achieved: I engaged with the growing member community, reinforced our global identity, and endorsed the great work of Lanre Olusola, Abimbola Ajayi, Adegdange Oshineye, and David Majekodunmi in Nigeria, and Florence Nyole in Kenya. More on my strategic visit to AIA Sub-Saharan Africa can be found in my related article here. 

IAPEX2025 Lahore, Keynote Presentation

Wrapping up my term were two trips to engage with members. In early December 2025, I was invited to Lahore, Pakistan, by Ar. Fawad Suhail Abbasi, President of the Institute of Architects Pakistan, to deliver a presentation at IAPEX 2025. I reconnected with friends from the ARCASIA family. Fawad is the AIA International Country Representative for Pakistan.

BAE-IAP Int’l Talk Series at Comsat University, Islamabad, Panelist

My last official engagement was in mid-December, when Balázs Bognár, 2025 President of AIA Japan, invited me to attend the AIA Japan 2025 Year-End Party + Design Awards, celebrating the chapter’s 20th anniversary. These trips were exhausting but rewarding. My final push.

I dedicate my last message as more of a farewell reflection: a homecoming journey, a vision revisited, highlights and achievements of my presidency, hopeful wishes amidst cautionary notes on challenges, and personal gratitude. 

Throughout my presidency, I hope I have renewed the office of the President of AIA International with visibility, dignity, and grace. 

 

RETURN HOME: JOURNEY, VISION AND HIGHLIGHTS 

JOURNEY 

A lost sheep returned to the flock. “You are a lost sheep that needs to return to the flock”, said Robert Ivy, then AIA EVP/CEO, at a 2013 gathering of AIA members in Singapore. By the end of 2016, I was ready and stood for election. I was welcomed home as the 2017–2018 AIA International Region Board Director for Unassigned Members. After six years of service, I earned the trust to lead in the highest office in 2024. 

As I prepare to step down as the shepherd with many new flocks across many fields at the end of 2025, I realize that for the past twenty-four months, AIA International has been so much a part of my life, and I have given my all. Soon, my evenings in Singapore will never be the same again. 

As the first President from a non-chapter background, who speaks with a slight accent, I have been fully aware of the immense weight on my shoulder to be a role model for aspiring non-chapter leaders. I learned on the spot how to navigate AIA International’s structure and to earn the trust of our members through action and deed. 

Pipeline leadership is always on my mind. I hope my experience led to initiatives that create better trajectories toward higher offices for At-Large Directors and Section officers. I also hope chapter leaders will step beyond familiarity to serve in AIA International leadership. Your experience and diverse perspectives will strengthen our component. SHOW up. 

VISION 

I started my two-year term with a vision to “Reposition” ourselves to be relevant and future-ready as we transitioned to being both a State and Chapter component. I drove my vision of the 3Vs: Value, Visibility, and Voice. I wonder how many remember this vision? To advance this vision, we launched many initiatives, engaged stakeholders, in particular AIA National, and inspired collaborations among international, chapters, and sections. We aligned Values, increased Visibility, and became stronger Voices for our members. We balanced actions with deliverables. 

The incoming President, Segene Park, has promised to carry on this vision and build upon it with new initiatives. STAY the course. 

HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 

For more than a decade, six presidents led and built on each success. The work to “Reposition” has never been easy. For all I did not achieve as I hoped, I managed to plant the seeds. For my shortcomings, I learnt to exercise better judgement. CELEBRATE the journey. 

Looking back at the last two years, this is what we have achieved when we set our sights high. The top five sets of highlights and achievements: 

REPRESENT AT AIA NATIONAL LEVEL 

  • On the EVP/ CEO Search Committee. 

  • As Co-Chair of the AIA International Membership Task Force, together with Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA and AIA Past President. 

  • A seat at the table at the International Presidents Forum, hosted by the AIA President during the annual AIA Conference on Architecture and Design. 

ENHANCE GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP 

  • International Tiered Membership Pricing. A joint effort by AIA and AIA International to set a globally inclusive pricing model. This makes AIA membership more open and accessible and helps our International Associate members gain access to AIA resources at a price aligned with their region. 

  • Enlarge membership through section formation. Since September 2023, we have formed six sections of different scales. They are, in order of formation: AIA South Korea, AIA Southeast Asia, AIA Taipei, AIA Latin America, AIA Sub-Saharan Africa, and AIA Oceania. Thanks to Lester Korzilius for leading this initiative. 

STRENGTHEN AIA INTERNATIONAL’S CAPACITY 

  • AIA International membership has grown to more than 3,500 members across 100+ countries, with 35 Country and Regional Representatives.

  • Put AIA International on a stronger financial footing, through consistent work to grow both membership and sponsorship.

  • Established a leadership pipeline by creating more trajectory paths. 

 

INCREASE RECOGNITION AND ENGAGEMENT AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS 

  • The AIA International Conference 2025 in Sri Lanka. A highly successful and well-curated conference by Nela de Zoysa and her team, with insightful building tours and charming post-conference tours peppered with Sri Lanka’s renowned hospitality. 

AIA Int’l Conference 2025 Sri Lanka. Nela de Zoysa and Yew Kee Cheong with Speakers and Guests

  • Held the inaugural Global Architecture Workshop and AIA International meet-up at the AIA Lounge, both as part of AIA25. 

  • The Global Mentorship Program by our Emerging Professionals committee will be entering its 5th year in 2026. 

 

BUILD EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS AT PEER ORGANIZATION LEVEL 

  • Attended conferences of peer institutes including RAIA, CAU, ASA, KIA, IAP, etc. 

  • Met with leaders from RAIA in Sydney, AIA New York and the Center for Architecture in New York, UIA leaders at UIA2024KL, etc. 

 

STRENGTHEN OUR PLACE: WISHES, PREPARE FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES, AND CELEBRATE OUR INTANGIBLES 

I leave my presidency more optimistic of our place than when we started. We have more members inspired to heed the call to serve in different capacities, especially at section and country levels. But we need to give them the resources and opportunities to find purpose and make a difference. Uncertain times can be opportunities for us to strengthen our place. EMBRACE the unknowns. 

OFFER WISHES 

  • Develop a strategic plan to guide AIA International’s future, including how best to serve our diaspora members. 

  • Broaden the tent to be more inclusive. Hope to have a woman as the President of AIA International. 

  • Create financial freedom by expanding sponsorship opportunities. 

 

PREPARE FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES 

  • Leverage AI’s capabilities while upholding the core values of architecture and design. 

  • Inspire the future of our profession and increase the prosperity of our members. 

  • Deepen expertise in offshore business practices and an increasingly complex non-US regulatory framework. 

 

CELEBRATE INTANGIBLES 

No matter whether my wishes are fulfilled or our future challenges are founded, we must always find every occasion to embrace our uniqueness. We are at our best when we come together for a shared purpose. Fellowship is a privilege we enjoy as part of our global AIA International community. 

 

OFFER GRATITUDE 

Over the last three weeks, I have been touched by the numerous well-wishes received. Today, I intend to repay them with thanks. It has been my honor to be your President. An immense debt of gratitude for the trust given, support lent, and faith in walking with me on this journey. 

Ping, my wife, accepted my role and supported me quietly with grace and patience. You made me proud when you attended my elevation to the College of Fellows at A’23, even though I know you would have rather been at home with familiar faces or smaller groups with similar interests. For those of you who met her in San Francisco, it was our blessing. That was Ping’s only participation in all the AIA Conferences I ever attended. 

To my ExCom — Segene Park, Stephanie Kinnick, Jason Holland, and Scott Gold as Past President — I have drawn greatly from your enthusiasm and energy. To the Board of Directors, Adjunct Directors, and Committee Chairs, I have learned from your insights and gotten to know you more. To my remarkable administrative team, Genie Khmeknitski in particular and Xenia Capacete, my biggest thanks for your hard work and dedication. To all Country Representatives and every member out there whom I failed to recognize, you are the quiet supporters, and I hope to meet each of you. As I reflected, I got more than I bargained for — I became a better leader and gained more friends. 

AIA Int’l Conference 2025 Sri Lanka, with AIA Int’l ExCom (L-R: Jason Holland, Stephanie Kinnick, Yew Kee Cheong, Segene Park) and Genie Khmelnitski

The future of AIA International is in good hands. Segene Park will be your President in a matter of days. Supporting him will be Stephanie Kinnick as the Secretary and Gustavo Ribeiro as the incoming Treasurer. I am happy Stephanie and Gustavo agreed when I approached them to step up to these respective posts at different times. To Jason Holland, thank you for your exceptional service as the outgoing Treasurer. To Sam Oboh and Michelle Montgomery, thank you for agreeing to be Co-Chairs for the AIA International Spring Conference 2026. I look forward to the exciting activities and events in 2026. 

Before I end with a See You Again note, let me recognize the numerous notable achievements in Q4 2025. 

ACHIEVEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS 

CHAPTER LECTURES / EVENTS (ONLINE / IN-PERSON) 

AIA SSA, UN Habitat Smart Cities Forum Nairobi, Kenya. Keynote Presentation  

SEE YOU AGAIN, NOT FAREWELL 

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher, in his Taoist text, Tao Te Ching (Chapter 64). 

I give thanks to God for His grace to keep me well and allow me to complete my duty. It is good to arrive at this place, but I will have to start walking again. Onwards to new paths, with different goals. 

In Chinese, we say 再见 meaning “See you again”. It is not goodbye. It is not a farewell. 

Good health in the new year, 2026. 


Your seventh President,

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

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