A program built
by you, for you
The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) is training the next generation of leaders in architecture through a curriculum that hones skills in entrepreneurship and firm management; collaboration; negotiation; client development; industry trends; development; equity; community engagement; and civic leadership.
MEET THE 2023 CLASS
Gulcin Becerik, AIA; Sean Flaharty, AIA; Jessica Gardenhire, AIA; Jennifer Hamilton; Jennifer Hsiaw, RA; Jennifer Kilpatrick, AIA; William Margulis, Assoc. AIA; Stephanie Martin-Goodwin, AIA; Sara McMullen, Assoc. AIA; Chloe Newton, Assoc. AIA; James K. Pirch, AIA; Chantal Safi, AIA; Marissa Swanson, Assoc. AIA; Zachery Terry, AIA; Katherine Uhrin, AIA; Sydney Vatalaro, AIA
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM
AIA Georgia’s CKLDP program is unique because of its participants. A participant-led curriculum creates unique experiences geared toward the professional and community engagements of each class. Invited lecturers, tours, and demonstrations are all carefully curated by session leads with the ever-changing climate of the profession in mind.
After the sudden passing of Christopher Kelley, AIA, an active and honored member of the Washington, D.C. architectural community, AIA|DC chapter undertook an initiative to develop a program that would help train and nurture the next generation of leaders. The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program was created as a year-long institute attended by a competitively selected group of 16 emerging professionals. These participants are selected for their proven career success, community involvement, and the individual’s support of their firm.
AIA Georgia began its CKLDP chapter in Fall 2017, supporting dozens of architects in their growth in and outside of the profession. Expanding to Tennessee and Alabama applicants, the program has grown to continue the legacy of Kelley’s leadership and activism.
2023 Executive team
AIA Savannah
AIA Atlanta
AIA Savannah
AIA Atlanta
AIA Atlanta
Contact
Tangela Monroe
Assistant Director
AIA Georgia
(678) 553 0508
Email >
Apply
Applications for the 2024 CKLDP class will open in mid-October 2023.
The application process includes the following mandatory document uploads and questions to be submitted in the form. Please note all open-ended questions should remain under 250 words. Applicants are encouraged to apply by November 21. However, the application submission processes has been extended to Monday, November 28, 11:59pm for those that need more time.
Failure to complete all sections of the application will result in disqualification.
- Letter of Interest: a one-page written letter of interest describing your past experiences and understanding of the program, as well as what you feel you will contribute to the 2023 class.
- Letters of Recommendation: a minimum of one and maximum of three, one-page, letter(s) of recommendation. It is in the best interest of the applicant to provide only strong letters of support/ recommendation from people who know the work of the nominee.
- Personal Resume: preferred to be no more than two pages and uploaded in PDF format. It is NOT in the best interest of the applicant to simply submit a firm resume with project experience only/mostly. It should resemble a CV. See “What the Selection Jury Is Looking For” under the More Resources section on this page for more information.
- Agreement Form: Completed, signed, and uploaded in PDF format. Please find the agreement form here as well as in the application form for download.
- Work and Licensure: Have you worked two (2) full years in the profession since graduation? If licensed, are you an emerging professional (within 10 years of first architectural registration and have graduated from an architectural degree program)? Yes/No
- Issues and Opportunities: What do you feel are the 3 most significant issues and 3 most significant opportunities facing the profession today? (250 words max)
- Skills and Knowledge: What are the specific skills or knowledge you hope to gain from your participation in the CKLDP? (250 words max)
- Leadership: How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in your career? (250 words max)
Tuition Assistance is available by filling out this form.
Review the application materials and questions.
2022 Calendar (Tentative)
- January 6, 2023 – Bootcamp (Mandatory attendance)
- February 10, 2023 – Session 1 | Issues at the Intersection of Architecture & Society
- March 10, 2023 – Session 2 | Architecture & Political Engagement
- April 14, 2023 – Session 3 | Integrative Practice in the A|E|C Industries
- May 12, 2023 – Session 4 |Understanding Project Financing
- June 9, 2023 – Session 5 | Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
- July 14, 2023 – Session 6 | Rainmaking & Business Development
- August 11, 2023 – Session 7 | Negotiations & Proposal Development
- September8, 2023 – Session 8 |Graduation Ceremony | Civic & Business Leadership
Past and Future Sessions Topics
Architecture and Political Engagement | Emerging Issues at Intersection of Architecture and Society | Equity, Diversity and Inclusion | Understanding Economic and Industry Trends | Art of Decision Making | Rainmaking and Business Development | Professional Practice and 1-Day MBA | Civic and Business Leadership | Risk Management and Legal Issues | Integrated Practice in the A/E/C Industries | Understanding Project Financing | Community Engagement | Firm Resilience
2022
Namrata Dani, AIA | Rule Joy Trammell Rubio (RJTR)
Ben Dumas, AIA | The Beck Group
Madeline Gibbs, AIA | Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC
Dyesha Holmes, Assoc. AIA | NOMA Cooper Carry
Monica Maria Espia Magcalas, Assoc. AIA | Gensler
Trent McGugin, AIA | Perkins & Will
Mae Murphy, Assoc. AIA | The Beck Group
Janine Mwenja, AIA | David Baker Architects
Angela Olsen, Assoc AIA | POND
Deborah Lin Perez Centeno, Assoc. AIA | SK Collaborative
Jakiel Sanders, AIA, NOMA | Moody Nolan
Katherine A. Schuff, AIA | LS3P Associates
Shelly-Anne Tulia Scott, AIA | Moody Nolan
Laura Sherman, AIA | Smith Dalia Architects
Nathaniel (Nate) Perez Steinrueck, Assoc. AIA | Cove.Tool
Raymond E. Stubblefield, Jr., AIA, NOMA | HKS, Inc.
2020
- Chamberlaine Beard, AIA
- Daniel Dixon, AIA
- Adam Drummond, Assoc. AIA | Architecture 101
- Sean Fowler, Assoc. AIA
- Allison Isaacs, AIA
- Katlyn Leach, AIA
- Ryan Murphy, AIA | Shamrock Drones
- Heli Shah, Assoc. AIA
- James Gallucci, AIA
- Elizabeth Glass, AIA
- Doug Hannah, AIA
- Jennifer Ingram, AIA
- Sammy Shams, AIA
- Meghan Shannon, AIA
- Chris Welty, AIA | Kennesaw State University
- Sarah Woynicz-Sianozecki, AIA
2018
- Ina Bachmann, AIA | Wakefield Beasley and Associates
- Eric Balogh, AIA | The Beck Group
- Joshua Crews, AIA | NELSON
- Carmen Evans, AIA | Epsten Group
- Daniel James, AIA | Perkins+Will
- Laura Morton, AIA | SSOE | Stevens & Wilkinson
- Jessika Nelson, Assoc. AIA | Collins Cooper Carusi Architects
- Kelly Orji, AIA | HKS, Inc.
- Nicole Seekely, AIA | Smith Dalia Architects
- Jared Serwer, AIA | Perkins+Will
- Jereme Smith, AIA | Cole Hil
- William Stanford, II, AIA | BTBB, Inc.
- Brian Sudduth, AIA | Intent Design Studio
- Jessica Thompson, AIA | BLUR Workshop
- Brock Tobaben, AIA | James Buckley and Associates
- Robert Woodhurst, IV, AIA | Smith Dalia Architects
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be an AIA member to apply?
Though AIA membership is encouraged for all scholars, it is not mandatory. Preference will be given to AIA Georgia members, though other allied organization members are welcome to submit an application for consideration.
Do I have to have a nomination from my firm to apply?
Individuals may be nominated by their firm or can nominate themselves and will be selected on the basis of a written application, recommendations, and resume.
Review the application materials and questions.
What is the involvement of my firm, if any?
Other than an optional nomination letter, all participants must sign an Agreement Form. This form will require a signature from one of the participant’s principals of their firm/agency. The agreement certifies that the firm will give the candidate time off for the class sessions once a month.
Does this program provide AIA continuing education credits?
It is intended that this program will have AIA CE credit made available for its participants up to a potential 35 CEUS.
Will I Gain HSW credits for this program?
The percentage that is eligible for HSW is dependent on the curriculum designed by the participants.
Am I required to attend all sessions?
The program’s success is directly related to the attendance by the participants and therefore attendance is mandatory. One excused absence will be permitted. Before you apply, please review session dates against personal and work calendars.
What if I miss more than one session?
If two sessions are missed, a fine of $100 will be sent to the participants’ firm/agency. A further absence will result in an additional $100 fine and expulsion from the program.
Is there a cost to this program?
Tuition for AIA Members is $500 and non-AIA member tuition is $750. This fee goes directly to supporting the sessions with speaker fees, participant travel reimbursement, space rental, food and refreshments.
Are there any scholarships available to help with program fees?
AIA Georgia may choose to offer tuition assistance to AIA members who may be from small firms that would otherwise not be able to participate. The amount and number of tuition assistance will be at the discretion of the Advisory Committee.
An application for this assistance is made available on this form.
More Resources
- Details about the information session
- General Information and Process
- Download the Tuition Assistance Form
- Download the Program Agreement
- Learn more about what the Selection Jury is looking for
- View a video explanation of the CKLDP program