“Always willing to support, encourage, and motivate emerging professionals, Joe had his sight on future leadership. He sees potential in the profession’s future leaders, and he fosters a relationship with them that is both inspiring and empowering. Now part of this leadership, I am grateful for his encouragement, guidance, and mentorship.“ Jessica A. Sheridan AIA AIA 2019-21 At-large Director
the Emerging Professionals. My involvement continues to this day as an advisor to the inaugural Civic Leadership Program (CLP) and the recent launch of “TORCH,” a mentor program that engages the Fellows to mentor Emerging Professionals. Along with a core of newly minted 2018 Fellows led by past AIANYS President, Eric Goshow, FAIA, the emerging professionals created this new program. Mentoring continues at the office with involvement in Perkins Eastman’s PEople Mentoring Program. As president of the AIA New York Chapter, we illuminated young professionals’ work and elevated their capabilities as future leaders through AIANY 2012 Presidential theme, “FutureNOW!” We addressed the real-life challenges facing young professionals, celebrated their impact, and inspired them to advocate for the profession. It drew international attention to AIANY and emerging professionals through the design competition/exhibition. We convened the 2012 FutureNOW! Summit to engage young professionals in the future of the profession and forged connections between them, establishing voices including AIA National Board
Directors and AIA Fellows. As a result, I have enjoyed mentoring future leaders who now sit on the AIA Strategic Council, AIANYS, and AIANY Board of Directors including AIANYS President-Elect, Illya Azaroff, AIA. And in turn, they have mentored me; that’s the reward for paying it forward. Parallel to my passion in mentorship is my interest of government advocacy. My interest in politics has several influences—from my local state assemblyman coming to my house and having espresso, stuffing mailboxes and getting rewarded with pizza, to my great uncle who campaigned for countless political candidates. So, it was natural for me to focus on government advocacy with the AIA New York Chapter and evolve to hold the Board position of Vice President, Government Advocacy for AIANYS. I have to admit that I truly love doing it, even while being very frustrated about how challenging it is to move the needle in advocacy for our profession. Throughout my tenure serving the AIA, I have focused on government advocacy, both at the chapter level and the state level. Serving on the AIANYS Executive Committee has also given me the opportunity to develop an understanding of the ways in which AIANYS serves its member chapters and its constituents. I believe that this broader experience has prepared me to serve as the AIANYS President in 2020. This preparation includes working with two incredible, giving leaders— my predecessors, Kirk Narburgh, FAIA and Mark Vincent Kruse, AIA—and the wonderful staff at AIANYS led by Georgi Ann Bailey. I have learned so much from them and will continue to lean on them for advice and counsel, early and often. I have had the opportunity to meet with many of the chapter leaders across the state through the course of the year, as
Joe, circa 1989.
well as observed how Kirk and Mark led with strength and grace. I am excited to continue this journey with my friend, Illya Azaroff, AIA, President-Elect. We have worked together on a number initiatives including FutureNOW! He brings with him his wealth of experience working on climate change and resiliency efforts. His experience on the AIA Strategic Council will be invaluable as AIA National rolls out the “Big Move.” His enthusiasm is absolutely contagious. I would be remiss if I did not thank my Perkins Eastman family, especially the Executive Committee, for giving me the time to serve the AIA. Their support and patience are invaluable. And last, but definitely not least, I have to give many thanks to my family for the hours, weekends and travel away from them that I dedicate to serve the profession. So, ready or not, 2020 is here and I’m ready to serve you with a lot of help from my colleagues at AIANYS and the AIA chapter leaders across the state. I’m always amazed how many serve, give back to the profession and pay it forward every day. That love of what we do and willingness to serve drives me. I look forward to the challenge and working with all of our leadership and you to advance our profession. n MARCH 2020 | PAGE 9