Mission & Strategic Plan

Our mission is to serve the AIA Iowa membership by being the voice of the profession of architecture, promoting the value of good design, and advocating for the health and safety of the public.

Strategic Objectives
Chapter programming and initiatives center around these four main objectives:

• Communicate: Communicate the value of the profession and promote it to the public.
• Advocate: Advocate for AIA Iowa members and the profession.
• Engage: Increase member engagement and satisfaction.
• Develop: Encourage the professional development and growth of the membership.

Focus Areas
Chapter leaders use the following focus areas as a 'lens' when carrying out programs and initiatives:

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Become a more inclusive community.
• Youth and Future Architects: Connect the dots from youth to professional.
• Public Awareness: Communicate who architects are, what architects do, and why it matters.

Visit this link to view the full AIA Iowa Strategic Plan.

Staff Team

The AIA Iowa Staff serves as a resource to AIA Iowa members, the architecture profession, and architectural enthusiasts. Have a question about membership, the Chapter, an architect, or architecture in Iowa? Contact us at 515.244.7502 or use our email addresses linked below. Visit AIA Iowa Board page to learn more about our volunteer leaders.

Executive Director: Jessica Reinert, Hon. AIA Iowa, CAE, IOM 

Jessica is the chief advocate for the Iowa architectural profession. She leads the strategy and operations of the state chapter. Major areas of emphasis include board relations, government affairs, budget and financial oversight and the liaison to the national AIA. She is liaison to several AIA Iowa Committees including Annual Convention, Finance, Government Affairs, Iowa Architect, Nominating, and Spring Conference. She also serves on AIA Council for Architectural Component Executives committees, Iowa Architectural Foundation Board of Trustees and is a past president of the Iowa Society of Association Executives Board of Directors. Contact Jessica Reinert here. 

Finance & Membership Director: Vicki Scott

Vicki oversees the Chapter's day-to-day finances, all duties related to membership, and the five AIA Iowa Sections. Responsibilities include recruitment and retention of members, maintenance of membership records and database, maintaining awards related to membership, maintenance of financial records, including accounts receivable and payable, payroll tax reporting, and payroll processing. She is also the staff liaison to AIA Iowa Sections, Finance Committee, and the Membership Committee. Contact Vicki Scott here.

Communications & Education Manager: Colette Sheaff

Colette handles all Chapter newsletters, social media and other communication efforts for the Chapter, coordinates all education events, and more. Colette is also the staff liaison to Iowa Architect Magazine Editorial Board, Professional Development, and Public Relations Committees. She also supports the Annual Convention, Government Affairs Committee, and the Spring Conference Committee. Contact Colette Sheaff here.

Outreach & Programming Manager: Chris Huling

Chris assists the chapter in sponsorship and marketing opportunities, K-12 initiatives, and developing web content. As a staff liaison, Chris supports the Emerging Professionals, Disaster Assistance, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committees. He also plays an important role in organizing the Spring Conference, Annual Convention, and Allied Membership. Contact Chris Huling here.

Administrative Coordinator: Margaret Godwin

Margaret is the first to greet all guests at the Iowa Center for Architecture. She assists in managing the overall operations of the office, database management, research, maintenance of membership records and supports staff and volunteers in organizing the Spring Conference and Annual Convention. Contact Margaret Godwin here.

Chapter History

In 1904, eight architects in Des Moines elected to form a Component of The American Institute of Architects (AIA). Today, more than 1200 licensed architects and intern architects across the state belong to the Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. AIA Iowa is an association that supports and serves our members in a number of ways- through advocacy at the state level, providing the best in professional development opportunities, and acting as a public resource.

In order to increase our statewide outreach, AIA Iowa has 5 sections that serve their geographic areas of the state: Central Iowa Architects Section (CIAS), North East Iowa Architects Section (NEIAS), North West Iowa Architects Section (NWIAS), South East Iowa Architects Section (SEIAS), and South West Iowa Architects Section (SEIAS). Each section has a Strategic Council that plans and hosts networking opportunities, building tours, public outreach, and more. Learn more about our Sections here.

AIA Iowa is a Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) representing and serving AIA Iowa members across the state. AIA Iowa represents and serves over 1200 individual member architects, associates, professional affiliates, students, and allied members who are working in fields related to architecture. Organizationally we are a local membership organization incorporated as a 501(c)6, a non-profit corporation and guided by the laws of the State of Iowa. AIA Iowa is one of 217 Accredited AIA Components across the globe.

American Institute of Architects

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) serves as the voice of the architecture profession and the resource for our members in service to society. AIA has over 96,000 members across the globe. AIA Iowa is an accredited Chapter of the AIA and assists in caring out the goals and missions of the Institute. For more information visit www.AIA.org or www.blueprintforbetter.org.