Episode 014: Training the Next Generation of Leaders

Why is leadership development important for architects?

Guests:

Ryan McEnroe, Co-Founder, AIA|DC Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program 

Korey D. White Co-Chair, AIA Forefront

Kavitha Mathew, Director, Leadership and Engagement, AIA New York

--

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP)

Website: ckldp.com

Beginning in 2013, the AIA|DC chapter undertook an initiative to develop a program to help train and nurture the next generation of leaders. The year-long program consists of nine individual half-day sessions attended by a competitively selected group of 16 emerging professionals (someone who has graduated from college with an architecture degree and is within 10 years of their first licensure). Prospective participants must go through an application process for selection where proven career success, community involvement and the individual’s firm support will be considered. Applications for the 2021 cohort are open.

Ryan McEnroe, Co-Founder, AIA|DC CKLDP

As both a licensed architect and landscape architect that grew up on an organic farm, Ryan has a unique understanding of sustainability practices. With 13+ years of professional experience Ryan allows his firm to embrace a wide range of project types and has spoken and written extensively on how agriculture can serve as an amenity. He is an Associate at Quinn Evans Architects in Washington, DC, the Co-Founder and Past-Chair of the AIA|DC Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program and currently serves as the 2020 Chair for the National AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). He has been recognized with the AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award (2014), AIA Young Architects Award, ENR Mid-Atlantic Top Professionals Award, BD+C 40 Under 40, and the AIAS Emerging Professional Honor Award (all in 2018).

--

AIA Forefront

Website: aiaforefront.com

Launched in 2015 as a national leadership program of the AIA, Forefront aims to inspire, empower, and engage architects and emerging professionals so that they become effective leaders serving at the forefront of society’s most pressing challenges. This one-day virtual event brings together visionary speakers on individual, civic and professional leadership for the architectural profession. The event is happening on Oct 30, 2020. Visit aiaforefront.com to learn how to register and participate.

Korey D. White, Co-Chair, AIA Forefront

Korey White is an architect and urban planner at DLR Group, working on educational facility master planning for K-12 school districts. In 2018, Korey stepped into the Co-Chair role for the AIA Leadership Institute, guiding the vision and programming for the one-day national conference. In collaboration with her Co-Chair, Sarah Wahlgren-Wingo, they revamped what is now known as Forefront. Korey is recognized for her leadership within architecture by her recent election to the AIA Strategic Council as an At-Large Representative for 2021-2022 and has been awarded the AIA Young Architects Award, the BD+C 40 under 40 and the AIA Colorado Leadership Award.

--

AIANY Civic Leadership Program (CLP)

Website: aiany.org

AIA New York is the oldest and largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The Chapter’s members include over 5,500 practicing architects, allied professionals, students, and public members interested in architecture and design. The AIANY Civic Leadership Program (CLP) develops a class of emerging architectural professionals into civic leaders by refining the critical skills that design professionals need to better represent the people that they serve. Each year, the CLP selects ten emerging AIA members to participate in a six-month journey to improve their community outreach and public relations skills, strengthening the AIANY’s culture of advocacy by providing opportunities to interface with municipal agencies, community development organizations, and local stakeholders.

Kavitha Mathew, Director, Leadership and Engagement, AIA NY 

The founder of Equity Co:LAB, Kavitha partners with organizations to research, identify and implement strategies that foster a more equitable and diverse workplace. She has a wide range of experience both as an architect and advocate for equity in the profession. As Director, Leadership and Engagement Initiatives of AIANY, Kavitha oversees programs intended to provide opportunities for members to move beyond their daily work lives to interface with diverse communities, engage in the civic realm, and connect with students who may not be familiar with architecture as a career. Her varied background allows her to view practice from different perspectives, including as a practicing architect, consultant, client, and an advocate working directly with professionals to address the change they would like to see in the workplace and the profession. 

Show Links:

https://ckldp.com/

https://www.aiaforefront.com/ https://www.aia.org/pages/81841-leadership-education-for-architects-and-emer

https://www.aiany.org/civic-leadership-program/

--

https://www.quinnevans.com/

https://www.dlrgroup.com/home/ 

https://www.equitycolab.com/