Dear AIA Baltimore members,

Last Monday it was my pleasure to welcome Lauren Bostic Hill on her first day as Executive Director of AIA Baltimore and BAF. Lauren’s leadership will help define a new era for our organizations, one that explores the full potential of The Center for Architecture and Design and identifies a new balance between in person and virtual programming, incorporating the lessons and technologies of the past two years. This is an exciting time to be a part of AIA Baltimore and BAF, and we are lucky to have Lauren joining our team!

Adding to the good news this spring have been the announcements of Baltimore’s Randy M. Sovich’s elevation to fellowship and Nakita Reed’s recognition with the Young Architects Award. Their achievements illustrate the high caliber of professional excellence present in our local design community. Please congratulate them on these fantastic and well-deserved honors.

This Wednesday will mark the start of our Spring Lecture Series as Marc Miller and Thor Nelson explore landscape and planning in the context of social justice awareness, post-pandemic issues, and urban fabric. Even when things are busy, and I know many of us are exceptionally busy right now, I find the Spring Lecture Series serves as a reminder of the importance of reflection. Please join me Wednesday evening to pause and revel in the opportunity to spend an hour just listening and thinking alongside your fellow practitioners. We also have lectures coming up on April 13th, May 4th, and lunchtime lectures on March 30th and April 27th.

Laura Wheaton, AIA, LEED AP bd+c

2022 AIA Baltimore President