Thierry Paret, FAIA, MRIAI, ARB, Richard Upjohn Fellow
The AIA Strategic Council advances the architectural profession by informing about important professional issues, opportunities, and threats. The Council has an outward and forward-focused vision with an emphasis on long-term goals and outcomes. To learn more about the role and activities of the Strategic Council, click here.
The AIA Strategic Council has advanced its 2026 recommendations to the AIA Board, begun preparations for its Year in Review Journal, and started planning its 2027 study groups, while sharing new insights into Council representation and priorities for the profession.
In August, the Council shared its internal election results and membership metrics during the AIA Leadership Exchange calls. The 2026 Council profile showed representation across firm sizes and practice types, with an opportunity to increase Associate AIA participation. Members identified communicating the value of architects as the leading topic for the Council to study in 2027, followed by regenerative design, housing, practice and neuroarchitecture. The Council also welcomed new At-Large Representatives Darguin Fortuna, AIA, and Jeff Jeno, AIA, selected Jamie Crawley, AIA, as 2027 Moderator-elect / 2028 Moderator, and elected Jessica O’Donnell, FAIA, as its At-Large Director to the AIA Board.
In September, the Council held an assembly to prioritise its 2026 recommendations, which were presented to the AIA Board on 16 September. Work also began on the 2026 Year in Review Journal, scheduled for release in Q4, featuring executive summaries of each study group's work. Looking ahead, October activities include the AIA budget review process, participation in the AIA Regenerative Design Summit and Leadership Exchange calls, and an assembly to finalise the Council’s 2027 study groups. Preparations are also underway for the Council’s activities during Governance Week in December.
Separately, amendments to the AIA Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct, approved by the AIA Board at the 2026 Conference on Architecture & Design following the 2024 Health and Wellbeing Policy Resolution, have been reviewed by the National Ethics Commission and are now published online.
Upcoming Events
November 1-3, Women’s Leadership Summit, Kansas City, MO
November 16-18, Government Affairs Forum Summit, Washington, DC
December 9-11, AIA Governance Week, Washington, DC
Thierry Paret,
FAIA, MRIAI, ARB, Richard Upjohn Fellow
