Richard Branch is the Chief Economist for the American Institute of Architects (AIA), where he leads economic research and analysis to inform the architecture profession and broader building industry on market trends, economic drivers, and future growth opportunities.

Most recently, Branch served as Chief Economist for Dodge Construction Network, where he led the Dodge Economics Group. In this role, he forecasted construction activity while engaging closely with national, regional, and trade media to disseminate these insights. His leadership included overseeing the execution of Dodge's  monthly economic data, construction starts research, and annual construction outlook.

With nearly 30 years of experience as an economist, Branch is widely recognized for his ability to translate complex economic data into actionable insights that help organizations uncover new opportunities and drive strategic decision-making. His expertise spans macroeconomic analysis, construction and real estate markets, and demographic trends, and he is frequently called upon to speak at industry conferences, association events, and corporate strategic meetings.

Branch’s industry leadership is further underscored by his past participation in AIA’s Consensus Construction Forecast panel who contribute forward-looking economic perspectives to the architectural and construction communities.

He holds a master’s degree in economics from Boston College and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Ottawa in Canada. 

Wedge served 17 years as CEO of Shepley Bulfinch, one of the nation’s largest architecture and interior design firms. Driving the firm’s national expansion, she fostered an open culture and collaborative work environment while spearheading a rebrand that revitalized the firm’s institutional identity. Wedge boasts a dynamic leadership record within the architectural community, serving on numerous Boards and Executive Committees, including AIA’s Board of Directors, Architects Foundation, the Large Firm Roundtable, the Boston Society of Architects, Boston Architectural College, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Her work bridges architectural practice with innovation, education, mentorship, and public impact. Wedge earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College.