From Immigrant Paths to Leadership: What WLS 2025 Taught Us

When we signed up for the 2025 AIA Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) in Atlanta, we thought we were attending a major industry event. What we didn’t anticipate was stepping into one of the most powerful rooms of our careers — a space filled with women who looked like us, sounded like us, and had walked paths similar to ours, redefining what leadership in architecture truly means.

As immigrant architects navigating careers in the U.S. on O-1 visas, our journeys have been anything but linear. They have been complex, emotional, exhausting, empowering, and deeply personal.

At WLS, as we connected with women across roles and career stages, we recognized a shared reality: despite different paths, many of us navigate similar pressures — to prove legitimacy, to move faster, to justify our presence. Those conversations, often informal and unguarded, made our experiences feel visible and understood.

WLS became more than a conference. It became a place where our stories, struggles, and ambitions were recognized, not as exceptions, but as part of the profession’s evolving leadership narrative.

A Room Where We Belong

WLS is one of the most influential gatherings in the AEC industry, powered by AIA and supported by leading architecture firms. From the very first breakfast to the final keynote, every interaction revealed the same truth: women in architecture carry extraordinary stories.

Principals of major firms, emerging designers, educators, builders, engineers, and project managers gathered in one space, all sharing ambition, doubt, resilience, and an unmistakable drive to leave a mark.

Imposter syndrome surfaced repeatedly in conversations. Many of us, especially immigrant professionals, know the weight of working twice as hard to be seen.

In our own careers, it has shown up as the constant need to prove our legitimacy: our credentials, our experience, even our right to occupy certain spaces. At times, it is reinforced by systems that underestimate our voices or overlook the value of nontraditional paths.

At WLS, hearing these same doubts voiced by women across seniority levels shifted something. Being in a room filled with leaders who had arrived through different routes reminded us that belonging is not granted — it is claimed, collectively.

A Seat at the Table

One of the moments that left a lasting impression was the opening-night celebration, where we had the honor of sitting at the same table as Cheryl McAfee, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP; Jessi Mitchell, CBS anchor and WLS host; and David Southerland, Executive Director.

Cheryl — the first woman licensed in Kansas, former president of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and CEO of McAfee3, the architecture firm founded by her father- shared the story of being the first woman to fight for the creation of Next to Lead.

Hearing her courage, perseverance, and dedication to opening doors for other women and immigrant architects was profoundly moving. That moment reminded us that leadership is not only personal achievement, but it is the act of creating space for others to rise alongside you.

Leadership Through Humanity

Throughout WLS, vulnerability and humanity were not secondary themes; they were central.

Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA, 2025 AIA President, opened a keynote with words that resonated deeply:

“Emotion doesn’t weaken leadership. It deepens it.”

Speakers reminded us that leadership is not a title or a position; it is a daily practice rooted in empathy, integrity, and authenticity.

Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, the first Black female combat pilot in U.S. history, offered a powerful reminder:

“Acknowledge obstacles, don’t give them power.”

Immigrant architects often navigate obstacles that are both visible and invisible. These words felt like a permission slip to lead boldly, to embrace humanity, and to treat our lived experiences as a source of strength.

Panels such as Design for Impact, featuring Illya Azaroff, FAIA, Jazz Graves, AIA, and others, reinforced that leadership also means impact through sustainable, resilient, and equitable design.

Creating Space and Seizing Opportunities 

Many attendees, including students and emerging professionals, were able to participate thanks to scholarships and grants covering registration, travel, and accommodations. For immigrant architects in particular, that access meant more than attendance. It created visibility, confidence, and proximity to leadership, often the first step toward imagining oneself not only within the profession but shaping its future.

WLS reinforced a message that echoed throughout the summit:

“Empower yourself. Don’t wait for permission.”

Leadership is built, not given. Opportunity expands when access is intentional and when those in leadership choose to invest in who gets to enter the room.

A Community That Lifts as It Climbs

What makes WLS unforgettable is the people. Everyone, from award-winning firm principals to students, was approachable, candid, and willing to share their stories. Informal dinners, casual meetups, and hallway conversations extended the summit beyond sessions, fostering a network of support, solidarity, and inspiration. Quotes from fellow attendees captured the energy:

• “Seeing women who look like me in leadership positions made me believe I can do the same.”

• “Empowerment comes from connection and intentional action.”

• “WLS is the space where I realized my voice has weight.”

We left every interaction with new tools, new perspectives, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Why This Matters for Immigrant Architects

Our immigrant paths are strengths, not obstacles. They bring resilience, adaptability, cultural intelligence, and perspectives that enrich the profession.

Recognizing these strengths also carries responsibility to mentor others navigating similar paths, to advocate for more inclusive systems, and to actively participate in shaping the future of leadership in architecture.

WLS reminded us that leadership in architecture is evolving, becoming more inclusive, collaborative, and shaped by diverse voices.

We left Atlanta inspired, energized, and more committed than ever to leaving a legacy, not just in the buildings we design, but in the women we uplift, the communities we influence, and the doors we open for others.

Final Reflection

WLS 2025 taught us this:

• We belong here.

• We earned our seat.

• Our immigrant paths have shaped us into leaders.

• Together, we rise, one connection, one story, one act of courage at a time.

To our fellow immigrant architects: bring your ideas, questions, and dreams. Apply for scholarships or grants. Participate in Next to Lead. WLS is more than a summit; it’s a catalyst for connection, growth, and leadership. Come ready to be inspired, to belong, and to rise.

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