With a focus on cultivating culturally aware thoughts and actions, learn strategies and practices that promote inclusion, reduce bias, improve equity, and create lasting culture change within firms, organizations, and communities. Explore how to foster inclusive leadership and improve cultural competence in architecture both internally within workplaces and externally within the built environment. This course is particularly beneficial for working to address the challenges faced by individuals with nondominant identities—including but not limited to women, immigrants, people with disabilities, single individuals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and individuals from diverse age groups, educational backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, and socioeconomic classes. Course expires 6/26/2027

Over the past half-century, our development policies and practices have led to segregated communities with starkly disparate realities. This trend is creating a society with vast inequalities and institutionalizing these inequalities into the very fabric of American society. Our cities today are struggling to recalibrate our approaches to growth and development so that everyone can participate and share in its benefits. This session will highlight perspectives from community leaders working on the frontlines of anti-displacement and equitable development efforts. It will feature initiatives to heal divides and repair the urban fabric to create more equitable communities. The session will share practical lessons learned from a range of diverse experiences in major American cities that can provide guidance to other community practitioners, designers and civic leaders.  This session was recorded live on May 17, 2023.

The AIA Guides for Equitable Practice make the moral, business, ethical, and societal cases for equitable practice in the profession of architecture. They provide key insights to hear insights on how the guides can change firm culture and create an environment that nurtures retention and inspires limitless thinking. In this course, participants will discover recommendations on how to achieve goals found within the Guides through utilization in practice and as a resource in connecting these goals with the work of their firm/organization. To learn more, check out the supplements on Justice in the Built Environment and Equity in Architectural Education.

You cannot control what curve-balls are thrown your way (yes, including a global pandemic), but you can control how you respond. When faced with adversity, feeling lost or even paralyzed, is completely normal, but within life's setback lies a silver lining: an opportunity to lean into the most incredible comeback - and growth - you could have ever imagined. Learn how to work through the five stages of a setback, increase your productivity levels, nurture meaningful business relationships in a virtual world, and build a powerful professional brand based on a strong foundation, mission, and creative, empathetic leadership. Course expires 10/31/2026.

Women face a variety of challenges - and opportunities - as they navigate the waters of a career in the field of architecture. From work-life balance and gender-based assumptions to glass ceilings and even go-it-alone entrepreneurship, women often encounter obstacles to finding right-fit roles, upward mobility, and workplace fair-play. This is an unprecedented year with new challenges that are still being overcome and solutions still to be discovered. Join us for this candid and mindful discussion on the challenges and opportunities that women face working in the architecture industry today, as leaders share stories and identify solutions to the obstacles they have encountered this year. Course expires: 10/31/2026

Does that little voice inside you say - Be happy with what you have - don't get pushy! - Times are tough right now - I can't ask now... But why not? The fact is that WOMEN DON'T ASK and most bosses are not mind-readers. But they also don't want to lose you - particularly in these tought times. However, if you are not happy, you won't produce your best, so let's come clean and learn how to negotiate for everyone's benefit. Did you know 20% of adult women admit having never negotiated? Of course, that means that 80% have, but maybe you didn't get what you wanted. Women are known as strong collaborators, multi-taskers and relationship builders, which happen to be three essential skills needed to negotiate successfully. Multiple studies attribute this lack of negotiating to a lack of confidence and some would add risk-taking. Don't let fear of negotiating get you stuck! Join Elizabeth Suárez as she leads participants through her exclusive and effective Negotiation Unleashed System. This process will have you feeling prepared, confident, and excited to negotiate for everything you want - in business and in life. By the end of the session, you will feel more confident and embraced three essential tips that you can immediately implement to accomplish your goals! Course expires: 10/09/2026

Accessibility, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, often appears to be an unsightly afterthought to fulfill the letter of the law. However, when access is intentionally built in the plans, the design can be functional, accessible, and beautiful! Through this presentation, attendees will learn how the principles of accessible design can be attractive and at the same time beneficial in all design contexts. Creating beautiful design that everyone can enjoy changes lives, as it opens vast opportunities that were once closed to many.

Individuals with justice system involvement or individuals impacted by the justice system are among the most disadvantaged populations in the U.S. They often experience complex challenges and harmful stigmas that prevent them from successfully reentering society. These challenges include accessing education, employment, affordable housing, substance abuse treatment, health care, and family services.  Architects have a unique opportunity to help. Learn how the key principles of trauma informed care can inform trauma informed design and create environments that actively address these challenges. Trauma informed design has the potential to significantly improve the health, safety, and well-being of justice-impacted individuals—creating spaces, residences, and facilities that help them become contributing members of society.   This session was recorded live on April 8, 2025.

Join us for a thought-provoking session about improving equitable outcomes through disaster mitigation and preparedness. During this session, we will shine a light on the systemic inequities that hinder equitable preparedness and contribute to disparities in response and recovery outcomes.  Architects play a pivotal role in addressing the needs of communities through community engagement and thoughtful design. We will explore how architects can contribute to enhancing equitable outcomes by actively involving community members, considering their unique perspectives and needs, and designing resilient and inclusive spaces. Additionally, architects can serve as advocates for better policies that prioritize equity in disaster mitigation and preparedness efforts.  To inspire and inform, we will showcase compelling case studies of places that are making strides in providing better outcomes through community preparedness. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in a dynamic discussion on inequities in disaster preparedness and how we can work towards more equitable outcomes.  To explore more resources on how to helping communities before and after disasters, visit aia.org/disaster.

This session delves into the unique challenges faced by Black women and women of color (WOC) in the AEC industry. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into their experiences, exploring topics such as work-life balance, power dynamics, and pay scales. The session critically examines the path to leadership for WOC, highlighting systemic obstacles and bias. It emphasizes the importance of removing subjectivity from processes, supporting mentorship, and fostering leadership roles for Black women and WOC. Executives' role in supporting diversity is discussed, with actionable steps provided to drive positive change and promote inclusion. The session highlights the detrimental impact of excluding these voices and inspires attendees to create a more inclusive environment. Course expires 10/22/2026

This course showcases the WLS 2023 kicked off with a keynote event that explores the theme of Equity x Society—the intersection of advocacy, women's social issues, and the role of the building industry. Part keynote address, part panel discussion, this experience looks at the universal challenges women face and some of the bold, brave, creative solutions our keynoter, panelists, and AIA leaders have been able to achieve through fearless leadership. Opening remarks by 2023 AIA President Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA and AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE.  Panelists include Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Boston, Tiffany Chu, Co-Chair for the Boston Women’s Workforce Council, Evelyn Murphy, 2023 Boston Society for Architecture President, Andrea Love, FAIA, and 2024 AIA National 2024 President-Elect, Kimberly Dowdell, AIA. Course expires 11/02/2026  

What would a movement towards greater gender equity that's unified across the building industry look like? Join us for a first of its kind, powerful panel discussion with female leaders from various building industry professional associations. Panelists include Angela Brooks, FAICP, president of American Planning Association; Angie Lee, AIA, FIIDA president of International Interior Design Association; Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, 2023 president of The American Institute of Architects; Robin Greenleaf, FACEC, chair emeritus of American Council of Engineering Companies; and Christine Oates, CCM, DBIA, chair of the Construction Management Association of America. Course expires 11/02/2026

Women have historically been at the forefront of healthcare innovation, driving advancements in patient health, safety, and welfare. From Clara Barton improving healthcare processes to Marie Curie pioneering healthcare technology, Florence Nightingale championing infection control, and countless women advancing evidence-based design, women’s leadership has been transformative.   Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring influential women in healthcare design and construction. These trailblazing professionals will share their career journeys, leadership insights, and strategies for overcoming challenges. They will reveal their leadership philosophies, the key lessons they've learned throughout their careers, and their empowering approaches to uplifting others. Whether you’re an established professional or just starting out, this event offers inspiration and practical advice to help you navigate your path to leadership in healthcare design and construction.  This session was recorded live on May 13, 2025.

One of Seattle's newest buildings, the University of Washington’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building (IEB), first opened for the fall 2025 academic semester and was designed with a particular emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this session, members of the design team at KieranTimberlake will discuss how they approached the project through the lens of equity in design, the depth and rigor of research involved, and how they applied DEI principles to specific architectural decisions. The panel will also address challenges and solutions from the first phase of delivery, including compromises and adjustments that were made in response to client feedback. This session was recorded live on March 19, 2026.