Message from John Flynn, AIAO President

John Flynn, AIA
AIA Oregon President

Reflecting on Our Annual Meeting

Hello Colleagues,

Thanks to all of you who joined our Annual Meeting – whether online or in person. Attendance was small this year, about 18 people total, but the discussion reminded me of how much passion our members have for AIA Oregon and the profession we serve.

A big theme this year was connection – how we stay visible, relevant, and accessible statewide. We also talked about our financial recovery. Over the past three years, we’ve rebuilt reserves after the difficult experience of leasing and upfitting a Portland space we didn’t own. That experience taught us how important it is to let programming lead, not rent commitments.

We presented our 2025-28 Strategic Plan and gave an overview of the strategies and tactics we are committed to pursuing in the coming years. Here’s a link for you to get to the Strategic Planning Retreat Report.

During the meeting, we heard from members who’d love to see a space in Portland – and that’s great energy to harness. The Board’s goal isn’t to say “no” to that idea, but to make sure we do it the right way this time. That means designing the vision, programs, and partnerships first, so that any future space we create serves all members and stays financially sound.

Our next chapter as a statewide organization will keep focusing on professional development, advocacy, and impact – things that connect architects from every region. The best way to help move that vision forward is to participate: join a committee, attend a program, or bring an idea to your local section.

Thanks again to everyone who showed up and continues to care about where we’re headed. Together, we’ll keep building an AIA Oregon that’s strong, sustainable, and member driven.

See you soon,

John Flynn

President, AIA Oregon

Message from Dave Mojica, Co-Chair of the Housing Advocacy Committee

Dave Mojica, Assoc. AIA
Housing Advocacy Committee (HAC) Co-Chair

Housing Oregon Conference Recap (on behalf of the HAC)

This September the AIA Oregon Housing Advocacy Committee (HAC) participated in the 2025 Housing OR Conference at the Portland Convention Center.  More than 1,300 housing advocates from across the state participated to share and discuss housing justice and how to expedite the creation of quality affordable housing.

Of the ninety-four workshops over ten percent featured AIA OR firms or members. Architects were able to share their expertise through presentations, panels, and one on one networking opportunities over two days. Topics included innovative modular and CLT techniques, Inclusive and Social Housing, and the Integration of Art in Architecture. The HAC hosted a Best Practices Panel on How to Work with an Architect, which centered on educating participants on how architects traditionally support development teams in balancing the design process with funding timelines, lead land use approvals, and permit reviews. This panel highlight the nuanced approaches they take for community engagement and managing stakeholder goals and requirements. In addition to being able to share knowledge we were also able to celebrate excellence in quality affordable design that features livability, community revitalization, and service integration. Congratulations to CPAH & Carlton Hart for receiving the Urban Golden Hammer Award for Plambeck Gardens.

For HAC and architectural participants this conference allowed them to interface with advocates, policy makers, developers, and local jurisdictions in a format not readily available in day-to-day practice. The Development Fundamentals and Finance tracks gave architects the opportunity to learn the details of the evolving circumstances that make affordable housing possible. The Policy and Advocacy track highlighted the ways senate bills have broken down design and approval barriers to increase housing production which noting the challenges that lie ahead. 

A key takeaway reinforced at the Lunch Plenary is that housing advocates need increased support and active involvement of architects to make change. Architects possess a unique ability to graphically and verbally bring form to housing concepts and guiding sentiments. The HAC looks forward to responding to this call and taking the lessons learned at this conference by increasing volunteer and advocacy opportunities for AIA OR in 2026. 

For updates and notification of where recordings from the conference are available sign up at:  https://sites.google.com/view/aiaohac/home.

Message From Heather Wilson, AIAO EVP/CEO

Heather Wilson
AIA Oregon CEO / EVP

A New Era: Welcoming Carole Wedge, FAIA, and Reflecting on the Search

Dear AIA Oregon Members,

The announcement of Carole Wedge, FAIA, as the new CEO of the AIA marks an exciting new chapter for our Institute. Please join me in offering her the warmest welcome. Carole brings not only a distinguished career as a practicing architect but also a proven record of leadership and transformation within the profession.

This successful transition is thanks to many hands. Deep gratitude goes to Search Committee Chair Kim Dowdell, AIA, for her steady leadership, and to the search team at Heidrick & Struggles for guiding a thoughtful and rigorous process that surfaced an outstanding slate of candidates. Staff, including Kiersten Fox and Stephen Ayers, FAIA, as Interim CEO, were key in maintaining the integrity and pace of the process. The AIA members who composed the remainder of the Search Committee are dedicated, thoughtful, passionate individuals who asked tough questions and deliberated thoroughly. I am thankful that I was a part of the process. I welcome any of you to reach out with questions.

Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
Serving on the selection committee was an invaluable experience that clarified both the Institute's needs and the qualities required of its next leader. This will inform my service on the AIA Board of Directors (as the CACE Past President) immediately. The choice of an architect-rather than a traditional association professional-reflects a desire for a leader who can draw on the credibility of practice while guiding institutional change. The choice of Carole, specifically, reflects the Search Committee's agreement that what the association needs right now is a healer. I know, through my own experiences with Carole throughout the years, this is one of her greatest abilities.

To the AIA Oregon Member community: your role in this transition is essential. While Carole brings a practitioner's perspective, your insight as a chapter member volunteer and practitioner matter to Carole. As she transitions and makes her communication channels known, use them. Give her feedback, especially the positive kind! Everyone appreciates that and, as an architect, Carole understands that conscious critique is care.

 What excites me most about Carole’s coming into this position is that it signals the dedication of the Board to:

• Transform the Institute into a more nimble and responsive organization.

• Advance equity and belonging so every architect, from every background and practice type, feels welcome and represented.

• Strengthen collaboration among National, state, and local components.

The best way forward is through honest partnership and candid exchange. Together, we can provide Carole with the grounding she needs to lead with impact.