Building Association Industry Veteran Will be Next NGA President & CEO

Ms. Woods will replace 35-year NGA veteran, Nicole Harris, in the association’s staff leadership role.

Woods is the former EVP/Chief Executive Officer of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) where she grew revenue 40 percent and grew membership to a historic high of over 100,000. Woods also previously served as President & CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) where she led efforts to expand the organization’s programs and markets while growing and strengthening its membership base.

Prior to joining NIBS, Woods was the Sr. VP & Chief Marketing Officer at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), where she oversaw a 27-member team responsible for all marketing and revenue-generating programs, including sponsorship sales and partnerships with major national companies.

Woods is also a Past Chair of the Board for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), served on the MPI Advisory Board and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). She also previously served as Vice Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council Board of Directors and on the Advisory Board of Crosswalk. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland in College Park and lives with her husband and daughter in Howard County, Maryland.

“We are delighted that Lakisha will lead NGA following Nicole’s well-deserved retirement, announced late last year,” said Rick Locke, CEO of Montana Sash & Door and 2024-2025 NGA Board of Directors Chair. “I want to thank the NGA CEO Search Committee, and especially Ron Crowl, Sr. Advisor, Windows, Doors & Glass at FeneTech, a Cyncly company and 2024-2025 NGA Board of Directors Immediate Past Chair, who led the search effort over many months. It was a thorough search effort, and we were unanimous that Lakisha’s credentials and experience will continue to grow NGA’s excellent service and results for our members and the glass and glazing industry.”