As we step into 2025, I am filled with hope and enthusiasm for the year ahead. Architects and designers, by our very nature, are optimists. Every project we undertake embodies the belief that we can create something better, more meaningful, and more enduring. This year, that optimism feels particularly resonant as we embrace our role shaping narratives not just through our designs but also through the way we engage with our communities, our profession, and the world around us.
This is an ideal moment to amplify our voices and share the stories behind our work—stories of collaboration, resilience, innovation, and impact.
As I begin my term as President of AIA Virginia, I am deeply grateful for the visionary leadership of those who paved the way. I extend my heartfelt thanks to President Callahan for her incredible leadership, dedication, mentorship, and friendship. Thanks to her efforts and those of past boards, AIA Virginia is financially strong and well-positioned to serve our members through purposeful advocacy, meaningful programming, and expanded opportunities for connection and recognition. Building on this solid foundation, our 2025 Board of Directors has the privilege of focusing on initiatives that advance our profession and strengthen our communities.
Central to our work this year is the celebration and empowerment of the next generation of leaders. I am humbled to be a part of and surrounded by a community of capable, engaged, talented, and collaborative architects who bring fresh perspectives and dedication to our profession. I’m continually amazed by the abundance of talent, weaving narratives of equity, sustainability, and innovation into their projects. Through programs like the Mid-Career Professionals, we look forward to having the opportunity to strengthen and support leaders across Virginia, inspiring them to shape the future of architecture.
Virginia architects have long been leaders in the profession, setting benchmarks for exemplary design and innovative thinking. We have a unique opportunity to lead by example, equipping firms across the Commonwealth with the tools and resources to implement sustainable practices and illuminate the path to a carbon-neutral future. This work is more than a technical achievement; it is a narrative of responsibility and stewardship, one that has the power to inspire change far beyond our state’s borders.
As we embark on this journey together in 2025, I invite you to share your insights, ideas, and aspirations. Your voice is an essential part of our collective story, and together we can craft a narrative that reflects the transformative power of architecture.
It is an honor to serve as your President. Here’s to a you, our members, and a year of furthering the power of architecture, collaboration, and progress.
Meagan W Jancy, AIA, LEED AP bd+c
President
AIA Virginia
