Hello, happy end of one year and transition into the new,
The AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) is proud to release its 2025 YAF Report detailing our initiatives and impact in the AIA and profession. We're fortunate to represent approximately 20,000 of AIA's nearly 100,000 members and serve alongside talented and passionate leaders in the AIA.
In the third year of our 2023-2027 Strategic Initiative of ‘Architects in Action, Catalyzing for Change,’ YAF has identified three Priority Areas in 2025 most relevant to supporting recently licensed architects:
This year, we’re thrilled to celebrate the following achievements, to name a few:
• The most YAF members to ever be represented in committee history (53 of 53 Young Architect Representatives selected, including Puerto Rico and Dubai) across seven time zones
• Continued ‘Taking Care of Business’ (formerly Mini MBA) at AIA’25 in Boston and at the 2025 NOMA Conference in Kansas City
• Organized and facilitated YAF’s first multi-generational discussion at AIA’25 in Boston, YAF: Bridging Generations
• Published two digital articles on AIA.org to expand YAF’s online presence
• Awarded the fourth recipient of the $10,000 Future Forward Grant through partnership with the AIA Large Firm Roundtable
• Developed Advocacy One Pager Series for distribution and access nationally
• Continued valuable programming, such as the Align Mentorship Program, Open Mic Nights, and more
• Maintained inclusion of a YAF representative to serve on each of the Strategic Council study areas
• Impactful local and regional programs and events leveraging YAF leadership
We also look forward to the following milestones in future years:
• YAF has long been a bridge from local and state emerging professional/young architect committees to national engagement. As we look to 2026, we look forward to the final development of the Best Practices resource to share the depth and breadth of engagements and programs these local, state, and national committees and representatives are engaged in. At the core of the YAF and the AIA as a whole are its members. We are excited to continue to amplify the incredible work and engagement across the entire organization.
• To chart our course for identifying our next Strategic Initiative, YAF has traditionally held summits every five years with the most recent summit held in 2022 in Pittsburgh, titled “Mission 2130.” We look forward to the next summit in 2027 to advance YAF’s evolving priorities and goals.
As we close this year, what stands out most is not just what we accomplished, but how we showed up amid acceleration, uncertainty, and an evolving profession that continues to ask more of those in the middle. This year reminded us that leadership does not always come from certainty, but from intention and from navigating through uncertainty; not from having all the answers, but from asking better questions and moving forward together.
The work of the Young Architects Forum this year reflects a profession in motion. One that is grappling honestly with growth and career evolution, intentionally steering toward a more equitable and resilient future, and beginning to redefine wellness not as an afterthought, but as a foundational part of practice. These efforts are not small, nor are they finished.
As we turn the page, may we continue to lead not by default, but by design. May we slow down where needed, accelerate where it counts, and remain committed to shaping a profession that supports both the impact of our work and the well-being of those who do it. The future of architecture is being shaped now - and mid-career architects are at the center of that change. As a reader of this report, we sincerely thank you as a supporter and advocate of YAF.
With gratitude,
Sarah Woynicz, AIA (she/her) 2025 Chair, AIA YAF sarah.woynicz@gmail.com
Jason Takeuchi, AIA (he/him) Past Chair (2024 Chair), AIA YAF jasontakeuchi@gmail.com
2025 Overview
The AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) is a program of the American Institute of Architects organized to address issues of importance for recently licensed architects (up to ten years licensed). In 2025, YAF continues an accomplished history spanning more than three decades.
2023-2027 Strategic Initiative
Architects in Action, Catalyzing for Change
2025 Priority Areas
Growth and Career Evolution
Young architects experience a pivotal career phase with unique challenges and opportunities. YAF prioritizes supporting professional and career growth and evolution in all types of career settings.
Steering the Future of the Profession
Through its dynamic network of members and representatives, YAF is uniquely positioned to identify and advocate for the current and future needs of young architects. YAF also serves as a voice to envision and steer the future of the profession and the future of architecture.
YAF aims to address the topic of burnout and wellness, which disproportionately affects the young architect demographic. Through open conversation and resource distribution, YAF hopes to bring this important factor to light in 2025 and beyond.
YAF Values Leadership
Leadership is the practice of actively engaging recently licensed architects to affect positive change for the betterment of other members, their firms, their communities, and the Institute overall.
Mentorship
Mentorship is the bi-directional partnership of sharing knowledge, skills, information, and perspective to enhance professional and personal growth.
Collegiality
Collegiality is the exploration of connections, sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences on equal terms.
2025 represents the largest the YAF has ever been with all possible positions filled. Representation spans seven time zones, including Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Abu Dhabi. For the first time, a CACE Liaison was added to the 2025 Advisory Committee.
Advisory Committee
Chair (2025)
Sarah Woynicz, AIA (she/her) sarah.woynicz@gmail.com
HKS Dallas, TX
Advocacy Director (2025-2026)
Tanya Kataria, AIA (she/her) tanya.kataria@gmail.com Integrus Seattle, WA
Community Director (2024-2025)
Seth Duke, AIA (he/him) seth.duke0626@gmail.com
BVH Architecture Denver, CO
Strategic Council Rep (24-25)
Patty Boyle, AIA (she/her) patty.boyle@smithgroup.com SmithGroup Detroit, MI
• Feature the perspectives of diverse young architects tackling burnout
• Explore the topic through webinars and Open Mic Nights
• Bring awareness and understanding towards those experiencing burnout and seeking wellness. This includes distributing volunteer workloads, providing flexibility and truly listening to and supporting one another.
2025 Summary of Accomplishments - Focus Groups
YAF's mission is carried out by Focus Groups (Advocacy, Communications, Knowledge, Community, Strategic Vision) each led by a Director and comprised of 8-10 Young Architect Representatives. 2025 includes a Special Projects Group led by the Past Chair. Below summarizes 2025 accomplishments of these groups.
Advocacy Communications Knowledge
• Launched and hosted the free 90-minute webinar “Charting Your Own Career Path as a Young Architect” (173 registered / 104 attendees).
• Organized webinar “Design Process Toolkits to Create Equitable Spaces,” in partnership with AIA New Jersey
• Developed the “Advocacy OnePager Series” on timely topics such as Burning Out in Architecture, All About the YAR, Ways to Get Involved in Advocacy Locally, and Parenthood by Design.
• Amplified Advocacy on Social Media
• Created the “Ask Me” Series, a living directory highlighting each YAR and AdCom member’s areas of passion, expertise, and advocacy.
• Planning “YAF Voices: Advocacy in Action,” a compilation of all one pagers published in 2025
Community
• Three Open Mic Nights
• Reviewed the EPFF toolkit and are coordinating with NAC to review data about the programs and will plan on issuing an updated toolkit next year.
• Working through "You’re Licensed, Now What?" graphics and resources and published an article about it in Connection.
• Finalizing draft of the Mentorship Program toolkit
• Ramping up for a new ALIGN Mentorship Program cohort in 2026
• Brought Connection back and have published Connection Q1-Q3 in 2025 on ISSUU
• Q4 scheduled to be published and 26 stories were pitched!
• Integrated graphic design of Connection all in house
• Continued partnership with AIA Architect to publish two articles with more to come
• 52 articles published thus far in 2025
• Ongoing partnership with the COF Quarterly: published three COF articles in Connection, and COF Quarterly published three Connection articles
• Reached readers in 32 countries and 43 states
• Consistently tracking potential articles, writers and contributors to YAF's media platforms
• Running list of published, pitched, and upcoming content is being tracked by Communications Focus Group
• Completed 10 monthly Now Ya Know newsletters in 2025. This year’s NYK began implementing helpful tutorials, in addition to news of what’s going on within the AIA and industry at large.
• Three "Connect and Chill" quarterly articles have been published in YAF Connection, and we are on track to complete a fourth one. (Based on our quarterly themes, the Knowledge Focus Group curates streaming video content and cocktail + mocktail recipes).
• Partnered with the LFRT and developed and presented a 2.5-hour AIA25 Boston session called Taking Care of Business, we focused on “Transparency in Firm Ownership” with 100+ attendees.
• This same session was presented at the NOMA 2025 conference in Kansas City in October to 100+ attendees.
Strategic Vision Special Projects
• First "Bridging Generations" Event at AIA25
• 36 years after convening of the first Young Architect Forum
• 75 in attendance with multigenerational audience
• Future Forward Grant
• Awarded 2026 winner: Nese Altinas
• 2025 Winner presented at AIA Conference, AIA WLS, and AIAU. And published in Connections.
• YAF By the Numbers
• Publishing the first BTN report, capturing multiple data points for future trends tracking
• Authored a letter on behalf of YAF advocating for special considerations in the AIA Young Architects Award process to support transparency, equity and consistency
• Finalized study on Young Architects Forum name through surveys, data collection and documentation
• Performing ongoing study of programs and initiatives serving the young architect demographic across components from all states and territories
• Compiled the YAF Annual Report
• Added outside representation on focus group for broader perspective
2025 Summary of AccomplishmentsYoung Architect Representatives
Young Architect Representatives serve a dual role on a Focus Group of the YAF and representing their local components. Because component sizes and support vary greatly, the following are a few examples of the local impact that YARs are making beyond the YAF national committee.
Mi Zhang, AIA (New York)
• Launched AMA Forum to Elevate EP Voices: Established five EP and YA-led “Ask Me Anything” forums in 2025, creating peer-moderated dialogue with industry leaders.
• Bridged Academia and Practice Through EP-Led Workshops: Moderated the first NCARB licensure workshop for CUNY architecture students using adapted EP chapter resources.
• Fostered Regional Leadership Succession and Program Continuity: Mentored EP leaders across chapters to sustain ARE study groups, hosted 21 sessions, and advanced a rotating AMA forum model for 2026.
• Championed Recognition for EP Leadership: Advocated for formal recognition of EP Committee co-chairs at chapter awards to strengthen volunteer engagement and leadership culture.
• Proposed and Developed a Mentorship Program (Launching 2026): Created the Mentoring Architectural Pathways (MAP) program connecting EPs with senior professionals through a scalable mentorship framework.
• Enabled Brooklyn’s First K–12 Architecture Program: Secured an AIA 2026 Architecture Week grant to launch the chapter’s first EP-led youth architecture education initiative.
• Secured Budget to Expand EP Opportunities: Successfully obtained increased chapter funding to support EP mentorship, awards, and professional development programs.
• Developed EPFF Award Program with EP Leadership: Co-developed the Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Award, empowering EP program directors and initiating juror recruitment for a 2026 launch.
Darguin Fortuna, AIA (Massachusetts)
• Elected Chair of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) for 2026, representing small-firm architects nationwide.
• Elected to the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) Honors & Awards Committee.
• Served as a juror for the Excellence in Construction Awards for the ABC Massachusetts Chapter.
• Spoke at 2+ 2 two at Conference on Design Excellence (2 recent Fellows and 2 YA winners) - AIA25
• Spoke at CRAN Symposium at AIA25
• Continued growth of a binational practice (USA + Dominican Republic) with a strong focus on smallfirm leadership, design excellence, and technological innovation
• Expanded internal training programs at Flow Design Architects, including Flow Trainings & Workshops, Revit Masterclass, and Flow Organization Day.
• Through Flow Wish, began development of a duplex home for a family in need in Barranquilla, Colombia, which broke ground one month ago, demonstrating a commitment to humanitarian design and international community support.
• Completed AI for Architects with Jacob Russo, enhancing the integration of AI tools in design and firm operations
• Advanced toward Energy Modeling / HERS Rater certification, completing required field visits and training modules.
• Secured and submitted materials for a 12–14 page feature in the upcoming four-language publication Stylish and Sustainable Homes: Designing the Northeast (booq PUBLISHING).
• Participated in youth and community outreach initiatives, including Try-It Day and ongoing design education programming.
Reily J. Calderón-Rivera, AIA (Puerto Rico)
• Organized EP Leadership Event: Co-organized a full-day EP event featuring keynote sessions on firm formation, branding, coworking design, and a speed mentoring program with local leaders.
• Launched Puerto Rico’s First EP Salary Survey: Created and administered the first salary and workplace conditions survey for emerging professionals to support transparency and advocacy
• Established Puerto Rico’s First EP Committee: Supported the membership-approved creation of AIA Puerto Rico’s first Emerging Professionals Committee and is developing the board implementation proposal.
• Advanced Young Architect Award Initiative: Initiated research and leadership engagement to establish AIA Puerto Rico’s first Young Architect Award.
• Professional Leadership Service: Serving as Secretary of Puerto Rico’s professional architecture association, contributing to policy and professional discourse.
• Expanded Graduate-Level Architectural Education: Teaching and enhancing a graduate course at the University of Puerto Rico integrating AIA resources, firm engagement, and licensure readiness.
• Advanced IPAL Program Advocacy: Contributed to early advocacy and legal research efforts to enable implementation of NCARB’s IPAL program in Puerto Rico.
George Donkor, AIA (Kentucky)
• Secured Architecture Week 2026 grant from AIA National to support our K-12 outreach in elementary schools.
• Partnered with University of Kentucky NOMAS chapter for presentations during their Mentor Mondays events.
• Participated in STEM night events at local elementary schools.
• Started discussions with incoming KY YAR, and NAC State Rep. on the idea of a Kentucky Architectural Mentorship Program (KAMP).
• Appointed as the State NCARB’s Architect Licensing Advisor.
Diana Duran, AIA (New Mexico)
• Planned and moderated the ArchNowPanel Series to provide professional development opportunities for Young architects.
• Organized the Annual Holiday Celebration for AIA members, Allied Professionals, and Emerging Professionals, fostering community and networking.
• Initiated planning for the 2026 YAF Gala to honor newly licensed architects.
• Partnered with the Young Alumni Association at the University of New Mexico to deliver professional development sessions for recent graduates entering the field.
• Collaborated with the Committee on the Environment (COTE) to host a Biomimicry Walk during the State Conference, promoting sustainable design practices.
Kaylyn Kirby, AIA (Colorado)
• Co-championed the new AIA CO Emerging Professional/Young Architect Leadership Council – connecting leaders, representatives, and greater membership.
• Through new EP/YA group, hosted 5 meetups across the state with plans to expand in 2026.
• 2025 AIA Colorado Young Architect of the Year!
• Participated in Learning from Leaders Panel at 2025 AIA CO Practice + Design Conference.
• YAF representatives at AIA CO Practice + Design Conference hosting Practice Simulation Lab (Alex Oetzel – Ohio, Seth Duke – Community Director)
• Moderated Future Forward Grant recipients - It Take a Village: A Guide to Parents and Caregivers in Architecture on AIAU December 4th, 2025 (FFG recipients Silvia Colpani and Alya Staber)
Elizabeth Lagarde, AIA (Oregon)
• Starting conversations on creating a statewide professional development programming for members at each career level
• Awarded one of the Architecture Week 2026 grants to host an event during Architecture Week in April 2026
• Recipient of AIA Oregon Young Architect Award 2025
Calvin Gallion, AIA (Louisiana)
• We're revamping and actively pushing our state online library for both Associates (study materials), Emerging Prof. (solo practitioners and individuals starting their own firms)
• We are in the very early stages of vetting and implementing the Friendly Firm Award (through the toolkit being supplied by YAF)
• There are talks of starting up state wide study groups
• New Orleans already has a very active study group and are looking to push out and invite / collaborate with other chapters
• Every year newly licensed architects get a shout out in the LSBAE state wide publication, they get free admission into state conference and acknowledgment there as well
• Our Licensing Board (LSBAE) also gives out Engraved Brass Survey marker with your information on it (This has been happening for a few years now)
• AIA LA also awards the following:
• Emerging Professional Achievement Award (licensed under 10 years)
• Associate Professional Professional Achievement Award (unlicensed)
• In Partnership with the ACEC of Louisiana, AIA LA co-hosts a Leadership program called the Emerging Leaders Institute
• AIA LA also offers scholarships to this program
Katie Bennett, AIA (Idaho)
• This year in the state of Idaho, we added a new program to our Design Awards Conference - held every other year in October. Modeled after the Seattle Young Voice Selection program, we created our own Emerging Voices Panel. This panel is intended to uplift the voices of architects licensed under 10 years and associate members of the AIA in our state. Three Emerging Voices Jurors were selected from across the state and participated in the awards process by choosing one project to award; the jurors chose one project that exemplifies the upcoming generation's values, design sense, and perspective.
Bryce Bounds, AIA (Florida)
• Sat on the state convention planning committee, securing three (3) CEU sessions dedicated to midcareer Young Architects and one (1) dedicated to Associate Emerging Professionals.
• Programmed and presented the Young Architect Business of Architecture focused session An Emerging Firm Leader's Guide to Determining Billable Rates at the state convention to over 125 attendees alongside Jaime E. Sobrino, FAIA (Leo A Daly) and Tom Gooding (Zweig Group). We later re-presented the session for AIA Miami at an event with 40+ additional attendees in Q3.
• Nominated and mentored my component's Associate Board Member to win the state STAR position where she will represent the state on the National Associated Committee (NAC) and sit as an ex-officio member of the state board.
• Organized and hosted the annual AIA Fort Lauderdale / AIA Miami Young Architect Awards covering the South Florida metro. Awards included Rising Star of the YearAssociate and Rising Star of the Year - Young Architect awards as well as honoring all metro area members licensed within the last twelve months.
• As an NCARB mentor; had one candidate complete their ARE's and achieve licensure and two candidates complete one or more tests in the past 12 months.
YAF in Numbers
20,000 architects in the AIA who identify as licensed within their first ten years
$40,000
Current YAF Initiatives
Much has been accomplished by the YAF over the years. 2025 continues momentum on a number of initiatives, while introducing new ideas following the 2025 Priority Areas of Growth and Career Evolution, Steering the Future of the Profession and Driving Wellness: Mitigating Burnout, Redefining Wellness.
• 2025 Annual Meeting
• YAF at AIA25
• 2025 NOMA Conference
• AIA Large Firm Roundtable Fall Meeting
• Digital Presentations and Webinars
• Charting Your Own Path as a Young Architect
• Design Process Toolkit to Create Equitable Spaces
• Community Open Mic Nights
• AIAU Webinar: It Takes a Village
• Digital Engagement
• AIA.org articles
• Future Focused
• Grants and Programs
• AIA+LFRT Future Forward Grant
• Align Mentorship Program
• Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Program
• Practice Innovation Toolkit
• Publications
• Connection
• Now YA Know Newsletters
• One-Pagers
• Publications in Progress
• YAF Renaming Report
• Mentorship Toolkit
• YAF By the Numbers
2025 YAF Annual Meeting
February 6-8, 2025 / Dallas, TX
Essential to YAF's engagement and effectiveness as a committee, the 2025 Annual Meeting in Dallas was held at the office of HKS, Inc. Over fifty YAF committee members came together for a successful day and a half of learning, connecting, and strategizing on opportunities for impact. Annual Meetings have been vital to YAF's goals to welcome and orient new members, plan the year ahead, and strategize on how to progress the unique interests of architects licensed less than ten years.
Sarah Woynicz, AIA leading the group
Service project at AIA Dallas
Group reflections and takeaways
YAF at AIA25
June 4-7, 2025 / Boston, MA
YAF was well-represented at AIA25 with awardees, session organizers, presenters, book authors, volunteers and Board candidates. YAF was directly responsible for organizing the YAF Meetup at the AIA Booth, Taking Care of Business: Transparency in Firm Ownership and YAF: Bridging Generations.
Former YAF Chair and 2025 AIA President Evelyn Lee, FAIA with former YAF Strategic Vision Director Kate Thuesen, AIA at the YAF Meetup
Current and former YAF leaders at AIA25
YARs Matt Jennings, AIA, Jack Whalen, AIA and Bryce Bounds, AIA
Sarah Woynicz, AIA speaking about YAF to a captive audience at the AIA Booth
YAF at AIA25
Taking Care of Business
June 4, 2025 / WE101
In collaboration with the AIA Large Firm Roundtable, YAF has presented the Mini MBA since 2014. Today it's known as "Taking Care of Business." The 2025 topic of Transparency in Firm Ownership covered mentorship and leadership coaching as well as various methods to business development.
Bridging Generations
June 7, 2025 / EV 151
In its inaugural year, the YAF Strategic Vision Focus Group presented "Bridging Generations." This multigenerational event aimed at networking and bridging generational understanding through YAF's priority areas. The event had 75 attendees and brought in positive revenue.
Taking Care of Business YAF and LFRT presenters. Special thanks to LFRT leaders Carol Rickard-Brideau, AIA, Dan Hart, FAIA, Guy Geier, FAIA, Mel Price, FAIA.
Carrie Parker, AIA presenting alongside the Strategic Vision group
Trent Schmitz, AIA and Elizabeth Zachman, AIA speaking with 2022 AIA President Dan Hart, FAIA.
2025 NOMA Conference
October 2025 / Kansas City, MO
For the third time, the Knowledge Focus Group presented "Taking Care of Business" at the NOMA Conference in Kansas City.
AIA Large Firm Roundtable Fall Meeting
October 2025 / Kansas City, MO
The 2025 and 2026 YAF Advisory Committees were fortunate to be invited to the AIA Large Firm Roundtable Fall Meeting with dozens of execuives from the largest architecture firms in the nation. Special thanks to Wendy Rogers, FAIA for the invitation and hospitality.
The YAF Adcom met in person to conduct its annual Transition Meeting. Thank you to Tony Rohr, FAIA for allowing us to utilize the Multistudio Kansas City office, and special guest Evelyn Lee, FAIA.
2025 YAF Chair Sarah Woynicz, AIA providing a YAF overview to LFRT leaders.
Special thanks to Arlenne Gil, AIA, Mel Ngami, AIA, Kate Thuesen, AIA, Nicole Nichols, AIA and Mel Price, FAIA for planning and delivering the presentation.
A packed audience at Taking Care of Business at the 2025 NOMA Conference.
2025 Digital Presentations and Webinars
Charting Your Own Career Path as a Young Architect
The Advocacy Focus Group presented a free webinar with distinguished panelists to discuss various career path options to better understand career growth and evolution.
Design Process Toolkits to Create Equitable Spaces
The Advocacy Focus Group partnered with AIA New Jersey to present a free webinar towards equipping young architects with practical design tools.
Community Open Mic Nights
Open Mic Nights by the Community Focus Group provide virtual opportunities for local AIA members to learn from and engage the YAF. In 2025 the Community Focus Group led three Open Mic Nights:
AIAU Webinar: It Takes a Village: A Guide to Parents and Caregivers in Architecture
The AIA Strategic Vision Focus Group presented this webinar on AIAU to highlight the work of recipients of the 2024 YAF+LFRT Future Forward Grant.
Digital Engagement
AIA.org Articles
Virginia Young Architect Representative Erin Agdinaoay, AIA authored an article on pay transparency on AIA.org
YAF Chairs Sarah Woynicz and Jason Takeuchi were featured in AIA's Future Focused video series celebrating diversity in architecture.
2025 Grants and Programs
YAF+LFRT Future Forward Grant
YAF continues its fourth year of presenting the Future Forward Grant, a $10,000 award supporting early career professionals in the testing of new ideas that disrupt the traditional conception of practice, process, and product in the field of architecture. The grant represents a partnership between YAF and the Large Firm Roundtable to advance exploration, innovation, and disruption in the architecture profession.
2025 Recipient: "Beyond the Classroom" Announcement
2024 Recipient: "It Takes A Village, A Parents and Caregivers Initiative" Announcement
A partnership with YAF and COF, the Align Mentorship Program is a long-range initiative connecting young architects and AIA fellows nationally in pods or interest groups.
The program’s objectives are:
• To support young architects in defining their legacy within the profession while navigating their career paths.
• To create a vehicle for mentorship and career development that connects young architects and Fellows with peers across the country.
• To accelerate contributions of young architects and develop regionally diverse collectives to contribute more in the future.
The annual program has been onging since 2021 and currently supports dozens of members and provides valuable access to the profession’s most engaged leaders.
Read more here
AIA COF Quarterly Q3 2025 article written on the achievements of the Group 2 Align pod from beginning to today
2025 Grants and Programs
Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Program
Started by YAF in 2020, this recognition program continues to be implemented at various state and local components to recognize architecture firms who support emerging professionals. Special thanks to former YAF leader Katelyn Chapin, AIA for developing this toolkit and recognition.
Countless AIA chapters and regions have adopted this program including AIA New England, AIA New York, AIA Pennsylvania, AIA Tennessee, AIA Oregon, AIA South Carolina, AIA Washington, AIA Minnesota, AIA North Carolina, AIA Dallas, AIA Arkansas, and AIA Iowa.
Toolkit link here
Practice Innovation Lab Toolkit
YAF Summit 25 in 2017 commemorated YAF's 25th year and was titled the Practice Innovation Lab (PIL). PIL inquired about how architects will adapt practice to advance the profession.
Building on the success of this program, former YAF leaders Matt Toddy, AIA and Katie Kangas, AIA authored a toolkit to instruct others on how to facilitate a PIL in their own city.
YAF leaders have developed their own Practice Innovation Labs in their own chapters and regions like AIA Ohio Valley Region, AIA Wisconsin, AIA DC, AIA Indiana, AIA Kentucky, AIA Michigan, AIA South Atlantic Region and at the AIA National Conference.
Evolutions of this program have emerged, such as the Practice Simulation Lab organized by YAF Community Director Seth Duke, AIA and Ohio YAR Alex Oetzel, AIA as recently as November 2025 at the AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference.
Toolkit link here.
2025 Publications
Connection
As the YAF’s leading publication and written resource, Connection has engaged thousands of readers through quarterly releases and over seventy issues of grassroots writing and inspiration. Thank you to the AIA College of Fellows for supporting YAF’s outreach on Issuu.
Connection Q1 2025
Connection Q2 2025
Connection Q3 2025
Connection Q4 2025
Now YA Know Newsletter
This monthly one-pager is YAF’s outlet for bite-size news and information. Now YA Know is typically distributed to AIA leaders and general members and created by the Knowledge Focus Group. The “YA” in the name references “young architect.”
This year, the Advocacy Focus Group created several one-page informational and graphic flyers for widespread distribution on various platforms.
Publications in Progress
YAF Redefinition Report
In 2022, YAF began studying whether the "Young Architects Forum" was the most relevant and accurate name for the committee. A Special Projects Focus Group was formed to study and analyze the potential for a new name. The group studied various options, gathered input from stakeholders and determine that the current committee name did not accurately describe how current committee members identified themselves in the profession.
2025 marks the conclusion of this study. A report is being finalized to document the outcome of this study.
Mentorship Toolkit
The Community Focus Group is finalizing a multi-year effort on how to create and facilitate a mentorship program. This in-depth document will highlight best practices, examples of various programs across the country and practical steps to take to facilitate a successful program.
YAF By the Numbers
The Strategic Vision Focus Group initiated an internal study on YAF's committee members to better understand its own demographic and representation. The study captures multiple data points such as ethnicity, role/position, years of experience, practice areas, lifestyle, personal challenges, and how each indvidual defines themselves as architects.
Intentional Inclusivity
Representation and Engagement
With over 50 current Young Architect Representatives, individual opportunities for expression are important and essential to year-long engagement. YAF has been intentional in utilizing its limited times together to celebrate and recognize every leader.
• Reflection circle at Annual Meeting to provide every member a moment to reflect in a safe setting
• Individual "virtual name cards" presented at Annual Meeting, with personal theme songs
• Freedom of expression with "penguin" theme throughout the year
• Freedom to select focus groups based on passion and interests
• Recognition for celebratory occasions, such as marriage, parenthood, awards, promotions, etc.
• Presentations from 3-5 YAR's at each full committee meeting and at the Annual Meeting
• Opportunities for YAR's to lead interactive polls
• Intentional selections for juries and liaison positions
• Added outside representation for Special Projects
Through these actions, it is YAF's hope that engagement of each YAR and committee member is maintained throughout the year.
Mugs and Stickers
To recognize and memorialize each member on the committee, YAF created one-of-a-kind printed mugs as a symbol of our work as a collective team.
Stickers were also created. #GSD is noted, representing the priority areas of Growth and Career Evolution, Steering the Future of the Profession and Driving Wellness.
Reflection circle at the 2025 Annual Meeting
Thriving "penguin" theme throughout 2025
Custom YAF mug and stickers were created for 2025
Celebrating Impact
YAF is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of current and former YAF leaders making an impact in the Institute.
2025 Young Architect Award Winner
Olivia Asuncion, AIA
2025 Incoming AIA Board of Directors
Jason Takeuchi, AIA
Elevated to Fellowship in 2025
Graciela Carrillo, FAIA
Ben Kasdan, FAIA
Adrianne Steichen, FAIA
Daniel Chenin, FAIA
Karen Lu, FAIA (former YAF Strategic Council Liaison)
Incoming 2026 AIA Strategic Council
Jessica O'Donnell, AIA (2025 Moderator, elected 2026 Moderator)
Amaya Labrador, AIA
Samantha Markham, AIA
Ashley Thornberry, AIA
Shannon Christensen, FAIA
Jamie Crawley, AIA
Carl Sergio, AIA
Wellbe Bartsma, AIA
2026 Lookahead
In 2026, YAF is excited to welcome its first all-female Advisory Committee headed by Chair Kiara Gilmore, AIA!
2026 Advisory Committee
Chair (2026)
Kiara Gilmore, AIA (she/her) Modus Studio Fayetteville, AR
Advocacy Director (2025-2026)
Tanya Kataria, AIA (she/her) Integrus Seattle, WA
Community Director (2026-2027)
Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA (she/her) Wiencek + Associates Architects Washington, D.C.
Strategic Council Rep (26-27)
Ashley Thornberry, AIA (she/her) StudioAXIS Indianapolis, IN
2026 Priority Areas
Navigating Career Evolution
Shaping the Future
Cultivating Wellness
Vice Chair (2027 Chair)
Anastasia Markiw, AIA (she/her) Design Group Pittsburgh, PA
Communications Director (2025-2026)
Nicole Becker, AIA (she/her)
ZGF Architects Portland, OR
Strategy Director (2026-2027)
Kaylyn Kirby, AIA (she/her) Semple Brown Denver, CO
College of Fellows Rep (2025)
Lisa Lamkin, FAIA (she/her) BRW Architects Dallas, TX
Past Chair (2025 Chair)
Sarah Woynicz, AIA (she/her) HKS Dallas, TX
Knowledge Director (2025-2026)
Arlenne Gil, AIA (she/her)
DLR Group Orlando, FL
CACE Liaison (2025)
Hillary Cole, Hon. AIA (she/her) AIA California Sacramento, CA
