Call for Nominations: 2023 AIA Chicago Board of Directors and AIA Chicago Foundation Board of Trustees

09.21.2022

The AIA Chicago Board of Directors and the AIA Chicago Foundation Board of Trustees are seeking candidates to fill vacancies starting in 2023.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: SEPTEMBER 21 - OCTOBER 5, 2022

APPLICATION DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 6:00 PM CENTRAL

AIA Chicago Board of Directors

As a resource for its members in service to society, AIA Chicago promotes positive change through the power of design. We advocate for the value of architecture and give architects the resources they need to do their best work.

The AIA Chicago Nominating Committee is seeking individuals interested in serving on the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee strives to achieve a mix of abilities and experiences that best serves AIA Chicago’s objectives. AIA Chicago is committed to fostering the diversity of its membership on our boards and our committees. If you would like to help design the future of the profession and the organization, you are encouraged to apply.

This year, the AIA Chicago Nominating Committee includes:

  • Drew Deering, AIA – President 2022, AIA Chicago Board
  • Mindy Viamontes, AIA – President Elect 2022, AIA Chicago Board
  • Jessica Figenholtz, AIA – Past President 2022, AIA Chicago Board
  • Helen Kessler, FAIA – Past Board Member
  • Anthony Lobello, AIA – Past Board Member
  • Jeremy Gentile, Assoc. AIA – Past Associate Board Member
  • Martha Bell, FAIA – AIA Chicago Member
  • Carl D’Silva, FAIA – AIA Chicago Member
  • Gina Paradozwicz, AIA – AIA Chicago Member, AIA Chicago Foundation Trustee

The Board is currently seeking:

  • Board Director (licensed architect member): 3-year term
  • Board Director (licensed architect member): 3-year term
  • Associate Board Director (unlicensed architect member): 3-year term  
  • Affiliate Director (non-architect member): 3-year term

Board members are required to:

  • Attend monthly Board of Directors meetings
  • Attend local AIA Chicago programs and events
  • Participate in committees such as development, advocacy and member engagement (see below)
  • AIA Chicago has a long history of requiring its members to adhere to the highest ethical standards. 

To assist the Nominating Committee in preparing a slate of nominees with complimentary aptitudes for the Board of Directors, please submit a letter of interest to address any of the relevant points below. Please emphasize those areas in which you feel you have particular strengths or unique offerings. There is no expectation that everyone will have something to offer in each area. Feel free to describe any other characteristics not listed here that you feel might be of benefit to the Board of Directors.

PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

  1. Letter of Interest, limited to one page

    • General Information: Please include your Personal Statement, concisely describing your motivation to serve on the AIA Chicago Board of Directors, your area of practice or specialty, firm size, role in your organization, and the level of support and encouragement your employer will provide if you are elected to the board or appointed to a committee.

    • Area(s) of Interest: Discuss your past and current involvement in AIA Chicago committees and Knowledge Communities (KC) or Affinity Groups, and whether you have an interest in acting as a liaison between the board and any specific committee or KC. See below for a list of board committees and a link to the KC page. Click here to read more about AIA Chicago's Knowledge Communities.

    • Refer to the Committees and Areas of Responsibility below and list any that interest you, and describe the specific assets or experience you would bring to them (not a complete list).

      • Membership: Explore opportunities to grow AIA Chicago's architect, associate, student and affiliate membership.

      • Advocacy: Create and curate programming and partnerships that direct conversations and assist in development of policy around issues such as climate change, economic impact within the City of Chicago, community design, professional integrity, and more.       

      • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Founded in 2018, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDI Committee) promotes, advocates, and creates opportunities for greater equity, diversity and inclusiveness in the practice of architecture.       

      • Honors and Awards: Lead the development of juries and competitions throughout the year. 

      • Development: Cultivate a robust and dedicated group of companies and individuals to provide event sponsorship for AIA Chicago's many celebrations, symposia, and more.

      • Personnel: Work in partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to provide guidance, oversight and support as it develops and implements employee staffing, performance management and compensation systems.

    • Other Information to Include

      • Social, Professional & Academic Network: Discuss any connections you would bring to the board that could broaden and deepen AIA Chicago’s engagement with allied professionals, architecture schools, the owner/client community, the general public, and other relevant communities.
      • Time Commitment: Discuss your ability to prepare for and participate in regular meetings and your commitment to attend major chapter events and functions such as the Annual Meeting, DESIGNIGHT, National Convention, Grassroots, New Member Reception, etc.
      • Other: Describe any other special experience you may have such as marketing, accounting, budgeting, organization administration, grant proposal writing, etc.
  2. One-Page Resume
  3. Headshot, 1,200px X 1,200px, JPEG/JPG or PNG file
  4. Biography, written in third-person, limited to 90 words maximum
    • Example: Mindy Viamontes, AIA is a partner at M Viamontes Architects. Her firm specializes in architecture and interior design including luxury home renovations, new construction houses and hospitality design. Prior to starting her own practice, Mindy spent 16 years in the commercial and public sectors where she led many high-profile civic projects including the award-winning CTA Washington/Wabash Station and the CTA 95th Terminal. She was recognized in 2019 as “40 Under 40” by Building Design + Construction. Mindy is a past president of Chicago Women in Architecture. She has served AIA Chicago in various capacities including Sponsorship, Membership and 150th Anniversary Committees.

TO SUBMIT TO THE AIA CHICAGO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. Email all required documents in the correct format to membervoices@aiachicago.org
  2. Title the subject line of the email "2023 AIA Chicago Board: Attn. Steve"

Any questions? Contact Steve Riforgiato, Director of Membership and Data Analytics at sriforgiato@aiachicago.org

AIA Chicago Foundation Board of Trustees

The AIA Chicago Foundation is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3), tax-exempt charitable organization dedicated to supporting activities that benefit the Chicago-area architecture community. As such, it provides grants, scholarships, education, awards for activities that promote the profession, students, recent graduates, emerging professionals and the larger architecture and design community.  With its own Board of Trustees, AIACF operates independently from AIACC for its fiduciary responsibilities and engagements.

AIA Chicago Foundation (“AIACF") seeks nominations for the 2023 Board of Trustees, with terms beginning in January 2023. We encourage representation from a broad range of architects and related professionals with a passionate interest to our mission. The majority of Trustees shall be architect members of the AIA Chicago (“AIACC”) in good standing;  at least two Trustees shall be public members, who are not architects.

AIA Chicago Foundation operates exclusively for charitable purposes and is dedicated to the recognition and the support of activities which elevate the ideals of the profession, which illuminate the body of knowledge about architecture, and which exhibit excellence in the making of the built environment.

We strongly encourage the nomination of a diverse and inclusive body of candidates, including but not limited to, women and non-binary genders; black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC); private and public industry professionals; people with disabilities and veterans. The slate of proposed Trustee candidates will be elected online as a part of the AIACC annual business meeting proceedings this December ahead of the fiscal start. 

This year, the AIA Chicago Foundation Nominating Committee includes:

  • JinHwa (Gina) Paradowicz, AIA - AIA Chicago Foundation Trustee, Foundation Nominating Committee Chair
  • Kerl LaJeune, Associate AIA - AIA Chicago Foundation Trustee
  • Julia Mosqueda, Associate AIA - AIA Chicago Foundation Trustee
  • Chris Annmarie Spencer, AIA - AIA Chicago Foundation President, 2022-2023

AIA Chicago Foundation is currently seeking:

  • One (1) Seat - Board of Trustee* or Public Trustee**: 2-year term
  • One (1) Seat - Board of Trustee* or Public Trustee**: 2-year term

* As a Board of Trustee, you must be in good standing with AIA Chicago

** Public Trustee is not required to be a member of AIA

Trustee duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Support fundraising activities and/or provide annual financial contributions to the AIA Chicago Foundation
  • Attend at least two thirds of the board meetings held each year
  • Attend a minimum of one event that benefits and/or is sponsored by the AIA Chicago Foundation each year
  • Be familiar with AIA Chicago Foundation’s by-laws, and financial statements
  • Demonstrate high level of personal and professional integrity, trustworthiness, ethics, and values
  • Demonstrate willingness to commit time and participate actively on the board
  • Commitment to being an active juror on the AIA Chicago Foundation’s awards and scholarship programs

Successful candidates will:

  • Demonstrate leadership in the architecture and design community
  • Express a commitment to attending Trustee meetings and events as a representative of AIA Chicago Foundation
  • Committed to fundraising and supporting the Foundation financially
  • You must also join one of the Foundation sub-committees:
    • Awards/Scholarships
    • Board Development
    • ByLaws
    • Development/Fundraising
    • Finance

PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

  1. Letter of Interest, limited to one page, 10 MB maximum file size, PDF file

    • General Information: Please include your Personal Statement, concisely describing your motivation to serve on the AIA Chicago Foundation Board of Trustees, your area of practice or specialty, firm/company/organization size, role in your organization, and the level of support and encouragement your employer will provide if you are elected to the board or appointed to a committee.

    • Area(s) of Interest: Discuss your past and current involvement in the architecture community or specifically AIA Chicago committees, Knowledge Communities (KC), Affinity Groups, or involvement with other organizations.

    • Refer to the sub-committees list above, reference any that interest you, and describe the specific assets or experience you would bring to them.

    • Other Information to Include

      • Social, Professional, Academic, and Development Network: Discuss any connections you would bring to the board that could broaden and deepen AIA Chicago Foundation’s engagement with allied professionals, architecture schools, the owner/client community, the general public, and other relevant communities. Also discuss any connections to fundraising and development opportunities.

      • Time Commitment: Discuss your ability to prepare for and participate in regular meetings and your commitment to attend major Foundation and chapter events and functions such as the Annual Meeting, DESIGNIGHT, National Convention, Grassroots, New Member Reception, etc.

      • Other: Describe any other special experience you may have such as marketing, accounting, budgeting, organization administration, grant proposal writing, etc.
  2. One-Page Resume
  3. Headshot, 1,200px X 1,200px, JPEG/JPG or PNG file
  4. Biography, written in third-person, limited to 90 words maximum
    • Example: Mindy Viamontes, AIA is a partner at M Viamontes Architects. Her firm specializes in architecture and interior design including luxury home renovations, new construction houses and hospitality design. Prior to starting her own practice, Mindy spent 16 years in the commercial and public sectors where she led many high-profile civic projects including the award-winning CTA Washington/Wabash Station and the CTA 95th Terminal. She was recognized in 2019 as “40 Under 40” by Building Design + Construction. Mindy is a past president of Chicago Women in Architecture. She has served AIA Chicago in various capacities including Sponsorship, Membership and 150th Anniversary Committees.

Trustee nomination decisions are made by the AIA Chicago Foundation Nominating Committee. 

TO SUBMIT TO THE AIA CHICAGO FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES

  1. Email all required documents in the correct format to membervoices@aiachicago.org
  2. Title the subject line of the email "2023 AIA Chicago Foundation Board: Attn. Allison"

Any questions? Contact Allison Garwood Freedland, Director of Outreach at afreedland@aiachicago.org