Lakisha Woods on architects in a changing industry and world

Design the Future

Lakisha Ann Woods is the executive vice president and CEO of the American Institute of Architects, a network of 94,000 architects and design professionals (in 200 chapters) who are committed to enhancing the built environment. Woods previously served as president/CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences and as senior VP/CMO at the National Association of Home Builders.

Architects are naturals at addressing complex or multifaceted issues, Lakisha says, and she points out that today that means addressing climate and equity as interconnected issues. She also talked about the AIA’s renovation of its HQ in Washington, a reuse project that involves numerous teams and high aspirations around embodied carbon, materials, and healthy workspaces. Lakisha is inspired by architects and their passion -- and the profession's increasing agency around climate and equity. Some of that comes from advocacy, she points out: “If we want our initiatives to move forward, we have to be an active voice in codes and on the Hill.”