Excited to share a week dedicated to advancing global advocacy, strengthening our profession, and helping shape a more equitable future for architects around the world. From June 28 to July 5, I had the privilege of joining architects, designers, and leaders from around the world in Barcelona for the UIA World Congress of Architects and General Assembly.

Held once every three years, the UIA World Congress of Architects is a global gathering that brings together an estimated 13,000 design industry professionals from around the world for seminars, plenary sessions, presentations, and networking events focused on the future of architecture and the profession.

During the Congress, I was honored to present the work of the UIA Professional Practice Commission alongside my colleagues. Together, we shared what the Commission had accomplished during the previous cycle, ensuring that attendees were informed about the research, resources, and initiatives developed to support architectural practice across the globe.

During the second half of the week, I attended the UIA General Assembly, which also convenes once every three years. The General Assembly brings together representatives from 129 architectural organizations around the world to review the work, policies, presentations, and initiatives advanced by the UIA's commissions and committees.

Through the generous invitation of the AIA President, Illya Azaroff, AIA Executive Director, Carol Wedge, and the AIA leadership team I was able to participate as a United States delegate. In this role, I participated in interviewing candidates for the positions of President, Treasurer, and Secretary General, while also reviewing the global materials and presentations documenting the work of the various commissions and committees had undertaken over the previous three years.

For me, the highlight of the trip was being among the select group invited to present the work of the Professional Practice Commission’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.

Our strong and mighty team has been working together since 2017 to expand the UIA’s equity policy. The previous framework focused primarily on gender. Our work sought to create a more inclusive and expansive set of guidelines that addresses race, age, sexual orientation, mobility, and other dimensions of identity and access.

I am incredibly proud of what our collective team accomplished. The expanded guidelines were approved by the General Assembly and are now available as a resource that millions of architects around the world can leverage to advance greater equity and inclusion within the profession.

This moment represented years of collaboration, advocacy, research, and persistence. It was a powerful reminder that meaningful policy change takes time, but when we remain committed to expanding who is considered, protected, and included, the impact extends far beyond any one room, organization, or country.

If you're receiving this message, it's because you are part of my journey. Your support sustains me. I carry each of you into every room I enter, and I hope to continue making you proud.

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