AIA CEO Lakisha Woods vindicated of allegations in independent investigation

After a heated previous few months, Miller & Chevalier—the regulation agency employed to conduct an unbiased investigation into claims made towards AIA CEO Lakisha Ann Woods by 22 former AIA presidents—has concluded its evaluation. The Washington, D.C. regulation agency discovered no proof of wrongdoing, vindicating Woods of earlier corruption and mismanagement allegations.

The AIA Board of Administrators shared this information in an announcement right this moment, August 26, that was printed in ARCHITECT Journal. The assertion, shared in full under, particulars the issues Miller & Chevalier reviewed in its investigation together with a employees retreat to the Dominican Republic, and the AIA’s monetary standing. It additionally states that the evaluation produced an inventory of suggestions the AIA may enact to enhance its operations and proceed its mission.

“In April 2024, the Council of Former Presidents of AIA and the 2024 Jury of Fellows raised a number of issues in letters to the Board of Administrators, prompting the Board of Administrators to rent an exterior regulation agency, Miller & Chevalier, to conduct an unbiased and legally privileged evaluation of the details associated to the problems raised. The issues raised in these letters and that Miller & Chevalier reviewed included: AIA employees personnel selections and practices; the 2024 employees retreat; communications and interactions with the Jury of Fellows; AIA’s present monetary standing; Officer stipends; and a previous authorized matter with a Board member. After an exhaustive and complete evaluation, the regulation agency has concluded its work and offered its findings and proposals to the Board of Administrators.

Primarily based on the details offered, no wrongdoing or irregular conduct by any AIA employees or any member of the AIA Management Crew was discovered to have occurred in reference to the issues raised. The Board has reviewed the regulation agency’s proposed suggestions for enchancment within the areas of coverage and course of, and we’re assessing how greatest to implement these suggestions. We anticipate sharing extra particulars concerning these suggestions with our members. We stay dedicated to advancing AIA, strengthening our membership, and fulfilling our mission and strategic priorities. We’re steadfast in our help of AIA CEO and EVP Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE and the AIA senior employees that oversees AIA’s operations because the group continues to offer members with a best-in-class expertise. We wish to thank the AIA employees for his or her cooperation, and thank the AIA members for his or her persistence and understanding, throughout this course of.”