Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA | THRIVE in ’25
“THRIVE in ’25” with Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA. Interviewed by Mike Chapman, Executive Producer, ByDESIGN
GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference Keynote
Presented at the 2024 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference, Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, joins ByDESIGN Executive Producer Mike Chapman for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, the changing architecture profession, and her priorities as she prepares to become the 101st president of AIA.
In THRIVE in ’25, Lee draws from an unconventional career that has moved across traditional architectural practice, technology, workplace strategy, organizational leadership, and service to AIA. Her path offers a broader definition of what an architectural career can become and illustrates how the skills developed through architectural education and practice can create opportunities far beyond conventional design roles.
The conversation explores some of the profession’s most pressing challenges, including artificial intelligence, evolving project delivery methods, workplace culture, career development, firm profitability, and the expectations of younger generations entering architecture. Lee encourages firm leaders to be more transparent about how architectural businesses actually work—from project budgets and billable time to career advancement—and to give emerging professionals a clearer understanding of their role within the larger organization.
Lee also addresses the importance of creating a profession in which more people can see a path toward leadership. She discusses mentorship, representation, inclusive workplaces, and the responsibility of established professionals to create opportunities for those coming behind them. Rather than viewing leadership as a limited resource, she encourages architects to bring others forward and recognize the value of different voices and experiences.
Looking toward her AIA presidency, Lee presents a vision of a profession prepared to adapt without losing sight of its people. The conversation challenges architects to embrace technological and cultural change while building practices that are more transparent, collaborative, inclusive, and capable of helping both individuals and the profession thrive.
Learning Objectives:
- Summarize AIA’s latest national initiatives and strategic focus areas, including Climate Action and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and how these efforts will shape the future of the profession.
- Recall practical approaches to building resilient, human-centered leadership by fostering trust, empathy, and collaboration within architectural practices and organizations.
- Explore innovative strategies for navigating uncertainty and embracing bold, forward-thinking solutions that empower architects to thrive in challenging environments.
- Gain insight into AIA’s evolving governance structure and long-term strategic planning efforts to align organizational goals with the values and needs of its members.
Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, is a multi-faceted professional who uniquely blends her architectural background with a tech-driven focus. As an architect now immersed in the tech industry, she serves as an angel investor, startup advisor, and fractional COO for SMB Architecture firms, playing a pivotal role in their growth and success. Despite her career transition, Evelyn’s passion for architecture remains unshaken, fueled by a deep admiration for the professionals in the field, their dedication to serving clients, and the indelible impact they imprint on communities.
A sought-after speaker, Evelyn regularly shares her insights on the evolution of architecture practice, leadership and team development, the integration of technology in practice operations, and the exploration of alternative careers. Outside of her architectural pursuits, she is a founding advisor for Women Defining AI, championing a more inclusive and diverse landscape in artificial intelligence. Evelyn Lee’s leadership and forward-thinking approach are not just about innovation and progress, they’re about guiding the architectural profession towards new, uncharted directions.