A History of Leadership
Chronological Order of Presidents
1st President
Thomas Vonier, FAIA, RIBA
Years of Service
AIA International
2012 - 2013: President
AIA National
[Year]: President
[Year]: First Vice President
UIA
[Year]: President
[Year]: First Vice President
Major Contributions during the tenure
Key Initiatives
Founding President of AIA International.
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Significant Accomplishments
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Memorable Events
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Milestones
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Expansions
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Professional Background
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Key Achievements
Brief Personal Touch
2nd President
Christine Bruckner, FAIA
Years of Service
AIA International
2014 - 2015: President
2012 - 2013: First Vice President
Major Contributions during the tenure
Key Initiatives
Led initiatives to enhance global engagement and membership.
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Significant Accomplishments
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Memorable Events
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Milestones
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Expansions
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Professional Background
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Key Achievements
Brief Personal Touch
3rd President
James Wright, FAIA
Years of Service
AIA International
2016 - 2017: President
2014 - 2015: First Vice President
Major Contributions during the tenure
Key Initiatives
Focused on strengthening the international chapters and fostering collaboration.
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Significant Accomplishments
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Memorable Events
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Milestones
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Expansions
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Professional Background
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Key Achievements
Brief Personal Touch
4th President
Thierry Paret, FAIA
Years of Service
AIA International
2018 - 2019: President
2016 - 2017: First Vice President
Major Contributions during the tenure
Key Initiatives
Emphasized sustainability and resilience in architectural practices.
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Significant Accomplishments
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Memorable Events
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Milestones
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Expansions
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Professional Background
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Key Achievements
Brief Personal Touch
5th President
Lester Korzilius, FAIA
Years of Service
AIA International
2020 - 2021: President
2018 - 2019: First Vice President
Major Contributions during the tenure
Key Initiatives
Oversaw the transition to virtual platforms and expanded global outreach.
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Significant Accomplishments
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Memorable Events
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Milestones
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Expansions
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Professional Background
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Key Achievements
Brief Personal Touch
6th President
Scott Gold, AIA
Years of Service
AIA International
2022 - 2023: President
2020 - 2021: First Vice President
AIA Japan
2017: President
2016: First Vice President
2015: Secretary
Major Contributions during the tenure
Key Initiatives
Contributed to the growth of international membership and enhanced member services.
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Significant Accomplishments
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Memorable Events
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Milestones
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Expansions
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Professional Background
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Key Achievements
Brief Personal Touch
7th President
Yew Kee Cheong, FAIA
Years of Service
AIA International
2024 - 2025: President
2023: First Vice President
Major Contributions during the tenure
Key Initiatives
Focusing on repositioning AIA International for future growth.
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Significant Accomplishments
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Memorable Events
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Milestones
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Expansions
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Professional Background
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Key Achievements
Brief Personal Touch
8th President
Ar. Segene Park, AIA
Years of Service
AIA International
2026 - 2027: President
2025: First Vice President
2023: Secretary
2022 - PRES: Board Member
AIA Japan
2021: President
2020: First Vice President
2019: Secretary
2016 - PRES: Board Member
Major Contributions during the tenure
Key Initiatives
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Significant Accomplishments
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Memorable Events
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Milestones
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Expansions
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Professional Background
Adjunct Professor | Nihon University | Tokyo | Japan
Senior Professional / Architect / Masterplanner / Project Manager | Nikken Sekkei | Tokyo | Japan
Partner | RenoVolt | Seoul | Korea
Regional Representative / Architect | Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) | Chicago | USA
Project Designer | Epstein, Annex 5 | Chicago | USA
Chief`s Personal Assistant (General Officer) | Defense Security Agency (DSA) | Ministry of Defense | South Korea
Key Achievements
An accomplished architect and master planner, Segene Park has built a distinguished international career with leading firms such as Epstein (Annex5) and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), and is currently based in Tokyo with Nikken Sekkei. His work has been featured in major publications including Architectural Record, ArchDaily, The New York Times, and the Chicago Tribune, earning numerous awards and global recognition.
Among his notable achievements is the design of a 354-meter tower in Russia, which was showcased at the Venice Biennale as a symbol of the country’s modern architecture. At Nikken Sekkei, he has led winning teams in multiple international design competitions and received four consecutive major Architecture and Urban Planning Awards in Moscow. These honors were selected from over 1,500 nominated residential complexes by more than 400 independent experts.
Segene Park's expertise spans architecture, urban planning, and firm leadership. His project experience includes residential, office, hospitality, museums, convention centers, supertall towers, sustainable design, TOD (Transit-Oriented Development), smart cities, interior, and landscape architecture.
He is deeply involved in advancing the architectural profession globally. Ar. Park serves as the 2025 First Vice President and 2026–2027 President-Elect of AIA International, and formerly served as 2021 President of AIA Japan, Chair of the AIA Japan Design Awards Committee, and Chair of Communication and Public Relations at AIA International. He is also a Committee Member and Trainer for ULI Japan’s UrbanPlan Workshop, a Committee Member of The Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation, and has served as Advisor to the Yeosu World Expo in Korea.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, he has delivered keynote speeches at the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF), spoken at the ULI Asia Pacific Summit, and presented at major architecture and urban planning conferences across APEC countries. In education, he serves as an adjunct professor at Nihon University and as an instructor and design critic at top Japanese universities including Meiji university, contributing to the education of future architects and urban designers.
