Archinect - News

Lakisha Ann Woods to step down from AIA post in February

2024-12-10T17:48:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced its EVP/Chief Executive Officer Lakisha Ann Woods will be stepping down from the post in February of next year, following a misconduct scandal that sparked outcries about organizational leadership, corporate spending, and nepotism. Woods was cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent investigation in August, which prompted the AIA Board of Directors to file an ethics complaint against her accusers in September. She has served as EVP/CEO since being named to the position in November 2021.

AIA President Kimberly Dowdell, lauded her tenure in saying: "[The] AIA is losing an incredible talent in EVP/CEO Woods, but we were so fortunate to have benefited from her leadership for three years. She is a leader among leaders, and those who have had the opportunity to collaborate with her understand how much of a loss this is to our organization and the pr...

AIA Board of Directors files ethics complaint against misconduct accusers

2024-09-26T12:57:00-04:00

The Board of Directors of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has filed an ethics complaint in response to the now-closed investigation over alleged misconduct on the part of CEO Lakisha Ann Woods and other executive staff in the AIA National office.

The complaint, which is addressed to be answered by the AIA National Ethics Council (NEC), comes against the unnamed letter signers and other "stakeholders" accused of taking part in a "coordinated campaign" to discredit the reputation of Woods and other members of the Board.

"Once the NEC responds with recommendations for the Board, we will act with expediency to prevent future similar destructive behavior that has the potential to negatively impact the health of our organization," the announcement of the action reads.

Previously on Archinect: AIA members decry nepotism and other misconduct claims

No wrongdoing was found after the law firm Miller & Chevalier concluded its outside investigation into the allegations, which includ...

Outside investigators clear AIA leadership of any wrongdoing after misconduct claims

2024-08-28T13:11:00-04:00

The conclusion of an independent investigation into executive misconduct at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has yielded no evidence of wrongdoing, according to a statement published by the organization’s Board of Directors on Monday, August 26th.

The report from law firm Miller & Chevalier also ruled out any "regular conduct" on the part of any national office staffers or members of the AIA Leadership team.

“The Board has reviewed the law firm’s proposed recommendations for improvement in the areas of policy and process, and we are assessing how best to implement those recommendations. We anticipate sharing additional details regarding these recommendations with our members.” their statement reads.

Accusations stemming from an early April letter circulated through the membership ranks and signed by twenty former AIA presidents include nepotism, unlawful firing and retaliation, the abus...

AIA Board of Trustees issues statement in response to controversy

2024-06-13T12:01:00-04:00

A new statement written by the AIA’s Board of Trustees in response to the swirling controversy surrounding CEO Lakisha Ann Woods has reiterated their broadscale support amidst criticism about certain actions during her more than two-year tenure.

While the statement does not address specifically the claims that were put forth in last week's Bloomberg article concerning corporate misconduct and the letter circulating that was signed by 22 former AIA presidents, it did issue a number of salutary proclamations about her strategic endeavors and performance while in office. Woods joined the organization in 2022 after serving as the President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences.

"Among the matters brought forward, the Board directed external counsel to review the planning and execution of the AIA Staff Learning Retreat that took place in March 2024," part of the statement read, referring to their decision to retain a local firm to conduct an independent inquiry into the...

AIA members decry nepotism and other misconduct claims

2024-06-10T16:53:00-04:00

Allegations of executive misconduct on the part of American Institute of Architects (AIA) CEO Lakisha Ann Woods and senior staffers who allegedly engaged in nepotism and other forms of unethical behavior have surfaced amidst the annual AIA24 conference that was held last week in Washington, D.C.

The list of accusations stemming from an April 4th letter signed by more than twenty past AIA presidents calls into question the organization’s leadership at a critical time. In an article published by Bloomberg late Friday, Woods and others were maligned for a series of missteps that includes a $152,000 staff retreat to the Dominican Republic in early March, unlawful firings and other retaliation, changes to the College of Fellows nominations process, and an increasingly toxic work culture within the AIA National ranks.

Additionally, as Bloomberg reported, former Chief Council Terrance Ona has recently entered an employment discrimination suit against the AIA, claiming he was unlawfully te...

AIA presents plans for Global Campus for Architecture & Design at reimagined D.C. headquarters

2024-05-07T17:06:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects has issued an update on the EHDD-led campaign to redesign its Washington, D.C., headquarters. The organization this week announced a new initiative aimed at bringing different community members together to better professional practice and advance discourse within the field.

According to the press announcement, the complex will reopen as the AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design in 2025. The new "home base" for design professionals, students, and civic leaders in architecture aims to increase collaboration and serve the "holistic new vision" outlined by EHDD partner Rebecca Sharkey at the project's April 2022 remodel announcement. AIA EVP/CEO Lakisha Ann Woods says it will become a "place where the public can be inspired by the power of design."

Previously on Archinect: AIA announces energy-efficient redesign scheme for its Brutalist D.C. headquarters

Hartman-Cox, Hood Design Studio, and Point Energy Innovations are serving as consultants for...

AIA releases study on student debt and its impact on demographic groups within the industry

2022-12-07T12:30:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has released a new study examining the impact of student debt across different demographic groups in the architecture industry.

The organization used the research company Ipsos to conduct an interview survey of over 700 members who provided insights on how everything from employment to life choices was affected by the repayment of educational loans.

AIA EVP and CEO Lakisha Ann Woods said: "This data provides critical insight into how student debt is harming the profession. Through a better understanding of how debt impacts different demographic groups among our membership, this data will help us break barriers to the profession that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Our goal is to propel all architects to new professional heights."

Among other data, the survey found:

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of all AIA membe...

AIA criticizes SCOTUS decision limiting EPA regulation of carbon emissions

2022-07-05T12:57:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects has released a statement criticizing the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that restricts the EPA’s authority to mandate carbon emissions reductions. The ruling, which decided the case West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency, is described by the AIA as a “setback in the climate crisis fight.”

The decision rules that significant new regulations by the EPA require congressional approval and was decided along ideological lines with six conservative justices in favor, and three liberal justices against. While the case stemmed from the question of how the EPA could regulate coal-fired power plants, the decision may have knock-on effects for future federal climate initiatives.

“That's a very big deal because they're not going to get it from Congress because Congress is essentially dysfunctional,” Harvard law professor Richard Lazarus told NPR. “This could not have...

AIA releases new Guides for Equitable Practice supplement, outlining ways to advance equity and justice through architectural practice

2022-05-09T17:49:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA), in collaboration with the University of Washington and the University of Minnesota, has published a supplement to their Guides for Equitable Practice, a framework for understanding and building equity in the architecture profession. Titled “Justice in the Built Environment,” this latest edition serves as a guide for architecture and design professionals looking to do more to advance justice through their design work.

"This new resource is designed to empower architects to use their problem-solving skills to create welcoming spaces for all,” said AIA Executive Vice President/Chief Executive Officer Lakisha Ann Woods. “It also provides perspectives and insights on how architects, in all types of workplaces, can help advance equity in their place of employment, projects, and in society.”

The new supplement also offers guidance on actions that individual practitioners and firms can take to advance equity. The document notes that there are at ...

Former Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers is announced as the new interim CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences

2021-12-13T17:53:00-05:00

In an effort to fill its leadership void caused by the departure of former CEO Lakisha Woods, the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) has announced that former Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA will be serving as the organization’s interim chief executive until such time as a permanent replacement to the AIA’s new EVP and CEO can be found.

The Washington, D.C.-based Institute appointed Ayers to provide a familiar and experienced hand that will now help guide the influential industry group as it searches for its next leader.

Ayers had previously served in the Capitol architect role under President Obama and made headlines in 2018 when he stepped down with two years yet to go in his decade-long appointment.

Prior to his position as the AOC head, Ayers held a number of junior administrative positions within the office beginning with his appointment assistant superintendent for Senate Office Buildings in 1997 and culminating in his official confirmation as the...

Lakisha Woods named EVP and CEO of the American Institute of Architects

2021-11-19T13:10:00-05:00

Lakisha Woods, CAE has been named as the 15th Executive Vice President/Chief Executive Officer of the American Institute of Architects.

Woods is currently the President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences as well as the Secretary and Treasurer of the U.S. Green Building Council. She previously served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the National Institute of Home Builders and has spent the entirety of her professional career in the D.C. metro area.

The University of Maryland alumna has had a successful career, rising from her beginnings in Fairbanks, Alaska to become a leader in the CRE industry.

"I am excited, from day one, to build on AIA’s strong foundation of achievements and to expand its leadership role in the industry and society,” Woods said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the AIA team, volunteer leaders, and most of all, AIA’s passionate and engaged members to take full advantage of this dynamic moment in histo...