AIA Board of Directors celebrates accomplishments of Lakisha Woods, CAE, and announces appointment of interim EVP/CEO

Lakisha Woods, CAE, EVP/CEO of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), has announced her departure effective February 2025. She is the first person of color and second woman to hold this position, marking a significant milestone in AIA's 167-year history. The global organization has over 200 chapters in the U.S. and abroad.

Under Woods’ leadership in 2024, AIA achieved a major milestone in membership growth, exceeding 100,000 members for the first time in the organization’s history. Her leadership also yielded a 41% increase in top-line revenue, providing an additional $20 million to benefit the organization. She assembled a team of experts that have implemented cost-cutting measures and created numerous efficiencies, resulting in the first balanced budget since 2020. Woods masterfully addressed a financial scenario that existed prior to her tenure, which began in 2022. In 2025, due to her leadership, AIA will no longer need to withdraw $13.5 million annually from investments to cover operating expenses.

Woods successfully curated a talented staff to help increase innovation through automation, transforming AIA into a digitally modernized organization. This year, she also successfully led the organization to earn a Great Places to Work® distinction for the first time, solidifying AIA’s commitment to employee satisfaction and wellbeing. Woods created the Future Focused series, a groundbreaking initiative that promotes and elevates underrepresented groups in architecture. She secured a partnership with the CBS television show, America ByDesign® Architecture, to highlight AIA architect members’ work. Additionally, Woods brought the management of AIA’s annual trade show in-house to improve the attendee and exhibitor experience, which also led to increased revenue, exceeding the 2024 budget by $2 million. Woods also elevated the Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) to become an annual conference, attracting record-breaking attendance, and supporting AIA’s strategic goal of advancing racial, ethnic, and gender equity.

2024 AIA President Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC said, “AIA is losing an incredible talent in EVP/CEO Woods, but we were so fortunate to have benefited from her leadership for three years. In that short time, she has led with integrity, tenacity, and ingenuity. 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 profession of architecture. Woods leaves AIA in a stronger financial position than when she started, and we appreciate her expertise and fortitude in achieving this goal.”

Woods' career in association management spans over 25 years, including service as 2022-2023 Board Chair of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Before joining AIA, she served as the President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences. She also held various leadership positions at the National Association of Home Builders and the Associated General Contractors of America.

Throughout her career, Lakisha has been passionate about empowering women and minority leaders. As she steps down from her current role, she is excited to dedicate herself to workforce development, with a specific focus on improving innovation and revenue growth in companies through equity for all in the workforce. She is passionate about continuing to break down barriers, challenging the status quo, and creating a more equitable future for all. For the first time ever, women account for over a quarter of AIA’s total membership. By promoting inclusive environments and providing opportunities for underrepresented voices, we can unlock the full potential of our society. We wish her well in all of her future endeavors.

In a statement from Woods, she said: “It has been an honor to serve as CEO of AIA working alongside such talented and dedicated professionals and members. I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together, and I am confident that AIA will continue to evolve in the years to come. I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of diverse perspectives and experiences in shaping organizations and communities.” 

To maintain continuity, the AIA Board of Directors has appointed Stephen Ayers, FAIA, LEED AP to serve as Interim EVP/CEO. Ayers was the 11th Architect of the Capitol. He also served as project executive on the AIA Headquarters renewal project in Washington, D.C. The AIA Board of Directors will engage in a comprehensive search process to identify Woods’ successor in 2025.

About The American Institute of Architects

Founded in 1857, AIA consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through more than 200 international, state, and local chapters, AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing.

AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation, and world. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards.