AIA Baltimore President’s Letter, January 2025
As we pilot into 2025, I am honored and humbled to take on the role of AIA Baltimore President. I want to express my deepest gratitude to our outgoing president, Ryan Jordan Pfarr. Under his leadership, we connected with our organization to further our goal for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion with the chapter. Ryan led us with his inspirational slogan “Empower, Engage Expand.” His dedication, passion and tireless effort have been a huge inspiration, and I do have some very large shoes to fill.
Two decades ago, I arrived in the United States with a deep zeal to learn. I was insistently inspired by the architecture and culture of Baltimore. It was here, in this city, that I began my journey — first as a student, then as a volunteer, and later as an active member of the AIA community. Through my time volunteering with AIA, I’ve had the privilege of building meaningful connections and learning invaluable life skills.
As we move forward into the new year, the board has been proactive to the changes and amendments requested by AIA Global. Our strategic plan paves the way for the next 3 years, with the board focusing on major initiatives that will shape the future of our chapter. These initiatives emphasize equity, value, and the thoughtful utilization of our shared spaces, aiming to deepen our engagement to ensure that every member feels supported and empowered throughout their architectural journey.
Our Four Priorities include:
- JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion): Promote equitable engagement and representation of architects across the region, creating an inclusive membership.
- Value of AIA Membership: Advance the perceived value of membership through stronger communication, networking, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Member Experience: Deliver high-quality, meaningful experiences that foster camaraderie, belonging, and professional development.
- Maximizing the Center: Leverage the Center as a key resource for deeper member engagement.
We will continue to build upon our strong foundation and advance our strategic goals with a focus on our theme of “Learn, Inspire and Connect.” We seek to learn the true value of our profession while inspiring the next generation to expand their horizons. We are committed to connecting every individual within our community while leveraging our resources and knowledge for the benefit of all.
Together, our chapter will champion diversity, equity, inclusion and progress towards a future where everyone is respected, understood and integrated into society. As I look ahead to the upcoming year, I see a year filled with impactful initiatives aimed at not only celebrating the beauty of architecture, but also addressing the pressing challenges faced by our industry. With your continued support and dedication, I am confident that we will make a meaningful difference.
I encourage you to reach out to our AIA and BAF board members and committee chairs to learn more about our 2025 activities and how you can become involved. Our numerous committees represent a vast array of expertise and knowledge in architecture and across the industry and are an incredible source of vitality and energy in planning our chapter programs. We want you, your friends, your co-workers, even your boss, your client and family to come enjoy our events but also join our committees. Not looking for a long-term commitment, no problem; we have small task forces dedicated to individual events where we’d love your involvement. We’re planning exciting things for 2025 and would love for you to be a part of it.
Furthermore, I encourage you to reach out with any ideas to either myself or our remarkably committed AIA staff. I also encourage you to introduce yourself at our next event – we would love to hear from you and engage with you directly.
Thanks once again for being an important part of AIA Baltimore and Baltimore Architecture Foundation. Let’s embark on this journey together, guided by our shared values and the incredible 155-year legacy of our chapter. Here’s to a future filled with boundless possibilities.
Happy New Year!
Madhuri Subramaniam, AIA
2025 AIA Baltimore President
