Wrapping Up 2025: A Letter from the President

As we close another remarkable year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our volunteers and sponsors. Your dedication and generosity have been the foundation of our success, enabling us to advance our mission of engaging professionals, educating the public, and influencing policy to shape a more vibrant and sustainable built environment. You make events like our High School Design Competition, Annual Golf Outing, and our many social and educational programs impactful beyond measure. Thank you!

Our vision—to be the leading voice for architecture in Northwest Ohio—can only be realized through the collective efforts of each of you. Together, we have elevated design excellence (congrats design and honor award winners), promoted the value of architects (AIAT sponsored Open Doors program), and strengthened our community through programs that inspire and educate (we heard from many national and international speakers this year). These achievements reflect our core values: Impact, Transform, Visionary, Equity & Inclusion, and Innovate.

As we look ahead, I challenge each of us to continue serving our community through good design and to embrace the spirit of collaboration. Our region needs us to work not as isolated practitioners, but as a united community of design leaders. Northwest Ohio faces both opportunities and complex challenges, from revitalizing neighborhoods to shaping resilient public spaces. These demands call for architects who are team players across firms, disciplines, and generations. When we combine our expertise and share our perspectives openly, we amplify our collective influence and better serve the communities we care about. By sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and fostering partnerships, we can make a lasting difference in the 19-county region we call home.

Our new strategic plan calls us to encourage design excellence, elevate the profession, enhance member engagement, and ensure organizational stability. These goals are not abstract—they are actionable steps that require your participation. Whether through mentoring, advocacy, or contributing to programs and events, your involvement matters.

Let’s commit to being more than designers; let’s be leaders who shape communities with empathy, creativity, and purpose. I know many of you are involved in other organizations, to those folks, thank you. To those that aren’t, find a group and get involved, this is the best way to show the value of architects. Together, we can transform Northwest Ohio into a model of inclusive, sustainable, and inspiring design.

Thank you for your continued passion and support. I am honored to serve as your 2025 Chapter President and look forward to what we will accomplish together.

Warm regards,

Jake Miley, AIA

2025 AIA Toledo President