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.