Lakisha Woods, EVP/CEO of AIA, announced today that she will step down from her role effective February 2025, according to an AIA press statement. Stephen Ayers, 11th Architect of the Capitol, will serve as interim EVP/CEO until Woodss successor is identified. In the announcement of Woodss departure, AIA touted her passion for empowering women and minority leaders. AIA also pointed to the major accomplishments Woods earned during her tenure as EVP/CEO of the AIA. Woods has served in the role since January 2022.Woods was the first person of color and second woman to hold the title. Woods helped boost AIA membership to over 100,000 members for the first time in the organizations 167-year history, among other benchmarks. And today, more than a quarter of AIAs members are now women, another first for the institution.It has been an honor to serve as CEO of AIA working alongside such talented and dedicated professionals and members, Woods said. I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together, and I am confident that AIA will continue to evolve in the years to come. Ive witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of diverse perspectives and experiences in shaping organizations and communities.AIA is losing an incredible talent in EVP/CEO Woods, but we were so fortunate to have benefited from her leadership for three years, added Kimberly Dowdell, 2024 AIA President. In that short time, she has led with integrity, tenacity, and ingenuity, Dowdell continued. She is a leader among leaders, and those who have had the opportunity to collaborate with her understand how much of a loss this is to our organization and the profession of architecture. Woods leaves AIA in a stronger financial position than when she started, and we appreciate her expertise and fortitude in achieving this goal. The choice to step down by Woods came in the months after a series of controversies at AIA, and rebukes of her leadership, as reported by AN. Last summer, 23 former AIA presidents signed a letter addressed to AIA Board of Directors expressing their concerns related to finances and management, as well as potential misspending, nepotism, cronyism, and the pursuit of personal gain within AIA leadership.The AIA Board of Directors responded by saying that there was a coordinated campaign to publicly discredit Woodss leadership, without going into specifics or disclosing names. Then, AIA hired an independent law firm, Miller & Chevalier, to investigate the misconduct claims. Miller & Chevalier found no evidence of wrongdoing by Woods, and she was subsequently vindicated. In June, Terrence Ona, former AIA general counsel, filed a lawsuit against the AIA. Ona is suing for $2 million, claiming both economic damages and mental anguish due to his termination in April. Looking ahead, Woods said that she will dedicate herself to workforce development, with a specific focus on improving innovation and revenue growth in companies through equity for all in the workforce, with a specific focus on improving innovation andrevenue growth in companies through equity for all in the workforce.[Woods] is passionate about continuing to break down barriers, challenging the status quo, and creating a more equitable future for all, AIA continued. For the first time ever, women account for over a quarter of AIAs total membership. By promoting inclusive environments and providing opportunities for underrepresented voices, we can unlock the full potential of our society. We wish her well in all of her future endeavors.