The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has unveiled the roster for its 2026-27 Next to Lead program, identifying 18 women who will participate in a ten-month leadership development initiative. The program aims to strengthen the participants’ governance skills while addressing specific workplace obstacles faced by women within the architecture sector. Participants include Madhubala Ayyamperumal, Justice Barnes, Fallon Barrett, Alexandra Chaves, Zining Cheng, Viraj Dave, Kiara De Leon, and Kariba Lawson. The group also features Danielle McCormick, Shaili Patel, Dyuthi Prakash, Elizabeth Robertson, Jane Rodrigues, Andrea Simpson, Vanessa Smith-Torres, Brittney Sooksengdao, Oyuki Sulu, and Arti Verma.
Following the September 24, 2026 announcement, these individuals will engage in a curriculum over the next ten months featuring monthly virtual training sessions. Furthermore, participants will attend two in-person gatherings, starting with the AIA27 conference, followed by the Women’s Leadership Summit. The institute provides the program to selected participants at no cost, which includes travel stipends and conference registration fees.
Originating from a 2018 resolution by the AIA Strategic Council, the initiative focuses on building a national pipeline to prepare diverse women for leadership roles across the organization. The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) recently honored this effort by granting it a Gold Award in their 2026 Power of Associations program. Previous participants have noted that the curriculum provides both practical leadership tools and a greater sense of professional confidence.
For insurance professionals involved in professional liability or directors and officers coverage for architecture firms, these types of initiatives highlight the changing demographics and leadership structures within the industry. Understanding how associations cultivate talent can provide brokers with deeper insights into the risk management priorities and governance standards of their architectural clients. By fostering a more diverse leadership bench, organizations often improve their long-term stability and internal oversight practices, which are key considerations for underwriters evaluating professional services firms. The program serves as a critical bridge for women moving into senior management roles within their respective practices, including firms such as Stantec, Perkins&Will, Gensler, and HDR, Inc.
Image is an illustration created with AI for general context
Source: American Institute of Architects
