ByDesign Executive Producer Mike Chapman has managed to secure a sit-down with current AIA National President, Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA.

She’s a hard woman to pin down, with her new role keeping her very busy and requiring her to be agile in her thinking and approach. Always insightful, Evelyn goes a bit deeper into some of the mindsets, values, and tools she finds helpful not only in her role as AIA President, but for architects in practice and life in general.

“The weight of leadership isn’t light, especially as you grow into it.” A self-proclaimed introvert, Lee is finding a certain enjoyment in the growth that the responsibility of helming the AIA is requiring — from public speaking, to challenging uncomfortable truths, to addressing difficulties in the architectural industry and practice. Evelyn is approaching her work with the AIA with a potent blend of pragmatism and hope that is bound to ensure the growth and success of the AIA and the wider community of architects across the U.S.

Lee joins 2024 President Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, and 2023 President Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, to mark the third consecutive year that AIA has all-female leaders at the helm.