Message from Your Young Architect Representative

Written By Paul Davis

By: Elizabeth Largarde, AIA, NOMA, NCARB

Last week I had the honor of attending Young Architects Forum (YAF) Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. as Oregon’s Young Architect Representative for the second year of my term. 

The Young Architects Forum (YAF) is a national member group of the AIA organized to address issues of particular importance to Young Architects (defined by AIA as licensed architects with 10 years or less of first licensure) The YAF consists of 11 Advisory Committee members and 53 Young Architect Representatives (YAR) from 50 states, plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and the International component.  

Even though this was my second time attending the annual meeting, it was just as special as the first. Over the course of two days, we connected with new YARs in their first year of their term, reconnected with YARs in their second year (some fourth years), and engaged in meaningful, honest, and even uncomfortable conversations centered around issues of importance to young architects.  

 This year we were also joined by Executive Vice President/Chief Executive Officer, Carole Wedge, FAIA and AIA President, Illya Azaroff, FAIA. They shared their leadership path in AIA and reminded us to lean into what’s uncomfortable and to lead boldly.  

 The YAF aims to be a group of “architects in action, catalyzing for change” and the committee spent most of the annual meeting’s time strategizing on 2026 initiatives to address this year’s priority areas:  

●    Navigating Career Evolution  

●    Shaping the Future 

●    Cultivating Wellbeing  

To help guide our work with these priority areas, each YAR participates in one of the six focus groups throughout the year: Advocacy, Communications, Community, Knowledge, Special Projects, and Strategy. This year, I am excited to participate in the Community focus group which is charged with promoting a greater sense of community and connection between young architects, the Institute, other allied groups , and organizations. 

One of my responsibilities as the YAR is to serve as a direct conduit between our state component and YAF, sharing information on opportunities that benefit and support Young Architects. I am committed to identifying opportunities and sharing it through quarterly report outs published on T@3 newsletter, Circle, and LinkedIn.  

Below is a list of resources and opportunities to keep an eye out for the year ahead. Fun fact, this time last year, I didn’t know that 75% of this existed. Now that I have completed a year in this role, I carry knowledge about the available resources for Young Architects, and I continue to learn more 

2026 Look Ahead  

Winter 2026 (January & February) 

  • Now YA Know Monthly Newsletters (January, February) 

  • AIA26 Conference registration opens (Coming Soon!) 

Spring 2026 

  • Now YA Know Monthly Newsletters (March, April, May) 

  • Q1 Connection Publication: Practice in Motion  

  • Q2 Connection Call for Submissions on Navigating Career Evolution  

Summer 2026 

  • Now YA Know Monthly Newsletters (June, July, August) 

  • Q2 Connection Publication: Navigating Career Evolution  

  • Q3 Connection Call for Submissions on Shaping the Future 

  • Open Mic Night and Advocacy webinar announced on LinkedIn, Instagram, Community Hub 

  • AIA26 Conference in San Diego (June 10 - 13)  

  • Oregon YAR position for 2027-2028 opens 

Fall 2026 

  • Now YA Know Monthly Newsletters (September, October, November) 

  • Q3 Connection Publication: Shaping the Future 

  • Q4 Connection Call for Submissions on Cultivating Well-Being 

  • Open Mic Night and Advocacy webinar announced on LinkedIn, Instagram, Community Hub 

  • YAF-COF Align Mentorship Program - Call for applications announced on Community Hub 

Winter 2026 (December) 

  • Now YA Know Monthly Newsletters (December) 

  • Q4 Connection Publication: Cultivating Well-Being 

  • 2027-2028 Oregon YAR announced 

 I arrived to a frigid Washington D.C. but I left the annual meeting feeling the warmth of the YAF community and fueled by the fiery ambition of this group of thoughtful leaders and changemakers committed to shaping the future of the profession into one that is stronger and more inclusive. I’m so grateful to be part of the Young Architects Forum and excited to make the most of my final year as the Oregon Young Architect Representative. If you are a Young Architect and interested in learning more about the YAF initiatives or YAR role, let’s connect on LinkedIn or reach out at elagarde@henneberyeddy.com  

Elizabeth Lagarde, AIA, is an Associate at Hennebery Eddy Architects. She serves as  Oregon’s Young Architect Representative for 2025-2026 and is a licensed architect in California.  

Paul Davis
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