Greetings from AIA Canada Society,
With 2023 comes a new journey and another busy time for our team!
First, the chapter is proud to announce and introduce two new Board members, and the Executive Assistant to the Board:
- Secretary: Brian Wall, AIA, MAA, AIBC, AAA, SAA, OAA, MRAIC, an architect with 35 years in the industry. Currently, Brian is the managing partner of “GW Architecture inc.” with offices in Winnipeg, MB and Kenora, ON. Brian started his career as a self-employed Certified Architectural Technician and later in life earned the title of Architect by studying with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Understanding the business of architecture was an easy fit, but the creative nature of architecture was a challenge. To overcome that hurdle, Brian dabbled in the art world by opening a studio in his office that featured the works of local and international artists. Studying the forms of artists fueled his desire to create more. Currently his practice includes health care, commercial, retail and industrial projects. Each project is an opportunity to influence how others experience the world.
- Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Pauline Thimm, AIA. BRA (Massachusetts), MRAIC, LEED® AP. Pauline is a licensed architect in the state of Massachusetts and a Community Engagement Specialist. She is an Associate at DIALOG where she continues to build on a wide-ranging portfolio of campus and cultural projects developed over her 16-year career practicing and teaching architecture in Canada and the U.S.. Pauline is the Chair of DIALOG’s Post-Secondary Education Practice and Chair of their Community Wellbeing and Equity Practice.
- Executive Assistant to the Board: Rommy Rodriguez. Rommy has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 18 years now, where her focus has always been to represent and promote individuals and their design careers. As the Outreach Coordinator of the Ontario Crafts Council for 4 years and for the last 14 years as the Associate Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) Technology Program, she joined the chapter to assist in the execution of the AIA Canada Society’s mission “to represent and deliver programs and services to its architect and associate members, in order to continue the ‘advancement and development in the profession’.”
Welcome Brian, Pauline and Rommy!
Our president, Lara Presber, AIA, led the chapter in the Component Accreditation process and in writing the next article for Canadian Architect, the official magazine of AIA Canada Society. AIA Canada’s Journal Entries in Canadian Architect are online for October 2022! The next issue will be coming out in April 2023. The Continuing Education program is established with new courses being prepared under the leadership of Dora Ng, AIA, Vice-President. Based on the membership survey and in alignment with AIA National, Pauline Thimm led the board in generating the component’s Strategic Plan. The Plan will be presented to the membership and made available on the AIA Canada website.
This year, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Conference on Architecture will take place in Calgary, Alberta. Lara and the chapter interim treasurer, Stuart Howard, AIA, will coordinate a meet and great during the conference.
Adam Pantelimon at AIA Leadership Summit with AIA CEO Lakisha Ann Woods
Recently Rommy Rodriguez and Adam Pantelimon, Intl.Assoc. AIA, FRIBA, Immediate Past President, participated in the 2023 AIA Leadership Summit, AIA’s premier chapter leadership training event, which returned to Washington, D.C., on February 14–17. Rommy attended several sessions on practical business knowledge on chapter operations, chapter management, and chapter leadership.
As part of the event, on Wednesday, February 16th, Adam joined the AIA Connecticut Team for AIA Lobby Day. Lobby Day provides architect members with a platform to directly advocate for legislation influencing the profession before Members of Congress and Congressional staff.
Together with Paolo Campos, AIA, NOMA, 2023 President AIA CT; Sue Wyeth, AIA, NOMA, the 2024 President-Elect AIA CT; Gina Calabro, Hon. AIA, NOMA, ED with AIA CT, and Olimpia Pantelimon of AIA Canada, Adam met with Maria Costigan, Legislative Director with Congressman Joe Courtney’s office, Jack Rayburn, Legislative Director to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Beatrix Dalton, Legislative Assistant with Senator Richard Blumenthal’s office and Liam McEnroe, Legislative Correspondent with Senator Christopher Murphy’s office, to advocate for two bipartisan pieces of legislation: the Democracy In Design Act and the Resilient AMERICA Act.
Adam with members of AIA Young Architects Forum
Also, Adam met with the Knowledge Communities Leadership and the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) and spread the word about AIA International and International Chapter activities.
Finally, with support from AIA UK, AIA Japan and AIA Canada, Adam has put his name forward as a candidate for AIA National 2024-26 At-Large Director. Thank you again!
Dr. Adam Pantelimon, FRIBA, Intl. Assoc. AIA
AIA Canada Society Past President and Chapter Representative, AIA International adam@aiacanadasociety.org
