The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced its 2026 Board of Directors, marking a new leadership term focused on climate action, resilience, equity, and innovation within the built environment.
The Board will be led by incoming 2026 President Illya Azaroff, FAIA, who will guide the Institute’s strategic priorities over the coming year. Under his leadership, AIA will continue advancing the profession’s role in addressing urgent societal and environmental challenges through design, technology, and collaboration.
Architects are facing a defining moment in the built environment, one that calls for vision, partnership, and action. The 2026 Board represents the breadth of our profession and the diverse perspectives needed to address society’s most pressing challenges.
said Azaroff.
Alongside elected AIA members, the Institute has appointed two Public Directors for 2026: Victoria Salinas and Bob Jensen. Serving as full voting members of the Board, the Public Directors bring critical public, policy, and community-focused perspectives that strengthen AIA’s mission beyond the architectural profession. 
Victoria Salinas is a nationally recognized leader in disaster resilience and climate risk, with more than 20 years of experience supporting governments, businesses, and communities before and after major hazards. Formerly FEMA’s Deputy Administrator for Resilience, she led a 3,000-person team, managed nearly $10 billion in annual investments, and advanced climate-informed infrastructure policies with a strong focus on underserved communities. Salinas has also served as Oakland’s first Chief Resilience Officer and currently holds the role of Climate Leader in Residence at Duke University.
Bob Jensen is Senior Managing Director at Strat3 and a global advisor on crisis management, risk, and emergency preparedness. Over a 32-year federal career, Jensen held senior roles across the White House, Department of Homeland Security, State Department, FEMA, and the Department of Defense, coordinating disaster response, strategic communications, and resilience planning. He now advises governments, corporations, academic institutions, and international organizations, and serves as President of the Emergency Management External Affairs Association.
These distinguished leaders bring essential expertise at the intersection of climate, resilience, and public trust. Their perspectives will help ensure AIA’s work remains grounded in community needs and responsive to the challenges facing the profession.
Azaroff added.
The 2026 AIA Board of Directors, effective December 5, 2025, includes:
Officers
- President: Illya Azaroff, FAIA
- President-elect: Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA
- Treasurer: Lisa L. Kennedy, FAIA
- Secretary: Joshua Flowers, FAIA
At-Large Directors
Latoya Kamdang, AIA; Matthew Toddy, AIA; Jason Takeuchi, AIA; Anne Hicks Harney, FAIA; Graciela Carrillo Cifuentes, FAIA; Jeffrey Seabold, FAIA
Representative Appointments
Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA (Associate Director); Jordan Luther, Assoc. AIA (Student Director); Heather A. Wilson, CAE (CACE Director)
Public Directors
Victoria Salinas; Robert (Bob) Jensen
AIA Leadership
Carole Wedge, FAIA, Executive Vice President/CEO (Ex Officio, Non-Voting)
In addition, AIA has opened its 2027 Call for Candidates for members interested in serving on the Board of Directors. The Institute encourages qualified members committed to leadership, service, and the future of the profession to apply. Full details, eligibility requirements, and deadlines are available on the AIA Call for Candidates page.
Source: AIA with additional information added by Glass Balkan
