About the AIA California Board of Directors & Election Procedures
Looking to make an impact in the architectural profession? AIA California Board of Directors members shape the direction and activities of the largest AIA state in the country. Standing for election offers a platform to lead, learn, and contribute.
AIA California leadership is comprised of two main groups, the Board of Directors and the board’s Executive Committee. Each holds different responsibility.
The Board of Directors establishes policy. With elected leaders from across the state, it is composed of: individuals who represent 21 local components, ex officio members of the Executive Committee, and members who represent California at AIA, the national level.
Implementing policy and overseeing organizational operations is the Executive Committee, which is comprised of the AIA California President, and eleven other elected members who oversee different areas such as the Vice-President of Government Relations, the Vice President of Professional Practice, and the Vice President of Climate Action. These Board Members are empowered to conduct the business of AIA CA and responsible for implementation of Board-directed policies.
For more information on AIA CA leadership roles and opportunities, contact AIA California Executive Vice President Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA.
Position | Term(s) | Nominee |
First Vice President/President Elect | 2025 | Mandy D. Freeland, AIA |
VP of Government Relations | 2025-2026 | Laura Knauss, AIA |
VP of Education and Professional Development | 2025-2026 | Amy Eliot, AIA |
VP of California CACE | 2025-2026 | Kristine Hammond |
AIA Strategic Councilor (National Position) | 2025-2027 | Winston Thorne, AIA |
Young Architect Representative (National Position) | 2025-2026 | Magdalini Vraila, AIA |
VP of Communications and Public Affairs | 2025-2026 | |
Associate Director, South | 2025-2026 | |
Student Director, South | 2025-2026 |
If there is interest in running for one of these positions, nominations must be made from the floor by a 2/3 vote of the AIA California Board of Directors during the Annual Meeting on November 8, 2024. Questions about this process? Contact Nicki Dennis Stephens at ndennis@aiacalifornia.org.
Introduction
This information serves the Call for Nominations for open positions in AIA California and within AIA. Please note that there are important differences in the nominating procedures for the open offices of the AIA CA and the AIA.
National Positions (Strategic Councilor)
To nominate candidates to represent California on AIA’s Strategic Council of Advisors, National AIA Bylaws and Rules of the Board dictate required nomination procedures. These procedures are replicated in AIA CA’s Bylaws and Rules of the Board and are repeated below.
Date of Elections
The elections will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, virtually via Zoom, during the AIA CA Annual Meeting.
Term: Serves one year as FVP then automatically succeeds to the office of President
Current Officer: Carina Mills, AIA
Staff Liaison(s): Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA, Executive Vice President;
Mirna Douet, Executive Assistant
Responsibilities:
Term: Serves one year as FVP then automatically succeeds to the office of President
Current Officer: Carina Mills, AIA
Staff Liaison(s): Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA, Executive Vice President;
Mirna Douet, Executive Assistant
Responsibilities:
Term: Two Years (2025-2026)
Current Officer: Debra Gerod, FAIA
Staff Liaison(s): Scott Terrell, Director of Government Relations
Responsibilities:
Term: Two Years (2025-2026)
Current Officer: Anne Cotter, AIA
Staff Liaison(s): Tibby Rothman, Hon. AIA|LA Director of Communications;
Cam Pietralunga, Senior Graphic Designer/Web Developer
Ashley Taylor, Program Coordinator for Awards and Emerging Professionals
Responsibilities:
Term: Two Years (2025-2026)
Current Officer: Amy Eliot, AIA
Staff Liaison(s): Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA, Executive Vice President;
Hillary Cole, Hon. AIA CA Director of Programs;
Rebekah Patterson, Asst. Director of Programs
Kim Anderson, Hon. AIA CA, Director of Development, California Architectural Foundation (CAF)
Responsibilities:
The Vice President of Education and Professional Development is responsible for the coordination of activities relating to the colleges, universities, and schools of architecture concerning professional education.
Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Term: Two Years (2025-2026)
Current Officer: Leigh Eisen – AIA San Diego
Staff Liaison(s): Hillary Cole, Hon AIA CA, Director of Programs
Responsibilities:
Note: this position is only available to local AIA component executives.
Term: Three years (Each assignment is staggered)
Current Representatives:
Brett Dougherty, AIA | 2021 – 2024
Leah Bayer, AIA | 2023 – 2025
Scott Gaudineer, AIA | 2024 – 2026
Staff Liaison(s): Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA, Executive Vice President;
Mirna Douet, Executive Assistant
Responsibilities:
Term: Two years (2025-2026)
Current Officers: Vasilies Beseau, AIA
Staff Liaison(s): Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA
Responsibilities:
Note: AIA associates who are not licensed but expect to become licensed within the first year of their term may run for election to this position. However, if they do not complete their full licensure process within the first year, they cannot continue into the second year of their term.
Term: Two Years (2025-2026) | Voting Board Member in 2026
Current Officer: Jamal Powell, Assoc. AIA
Staff Liaison(s): Ashley Taylor, Program Coordinator for Awards and Emerging Professionals
Responsibilities:
Shall be an Associate member at the time of election
Term: Two Years (2025-2026) | Voting Board Member in 2026
Current Officers: Stuart Stielau, AIAS
Staff Liaison(s): Ashley Taylor, Program Coordinator for Awards and Emerging Professionals
Responsibilities:
AIA California elections are held annually, in November, with nominations for open positions due 60 days prior. Candidates may also be nominated from the floor. Any AIA California member in good standing is eligible for election.
Nomination Submittals – General Information (All Positions):
Disclaimer
No member of the AIA CA Executive Committee shall engage in the endorsement, sponsorship, or nomination of any candidate for AIA CA or AIA office.
For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the open offices, please contact AIA CA Executive Assistant, Mirna Douet at (916) 642-1712 or mdouet@aiacalifornia.org.