Director, Federal Relations | The American Institute of Architects

Kara E. Kempski

Kara Kempski is the Director of Federal Relations at the American Institute of Architects (AIA). She leads the organization’s lobbying efforts before Congress and the Administration. As part of that work, Kara analyzes federal policies that impact the profession of architecture. Her portfolio includes climate action, resilient infrastructure, affordable housing, economic recovery, and education. Before joining AIA in 2018, Kara worked for almost five years at the Council for a Strong America, a membership organization that advocates for child abuse prevention and juvenile justice reform. She graduated from Gettysburg College with a B.A. in History and the University of Tennessee with a M.A in American History. Kara was thrilled to spend two separate summers interning for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.