board LEADERSHIP
2021 BOARD PRESIDENT
FRED BRANDSTRADER, AIA
Vice President of Construction & Capital Expenditures with Hyatt Corporation. Fred has enjoyed being active in AIA (both at Chicago Chapter and Illinois Chapter) over the last 28 years and looks forward to working with the AIA Illinois Board and Staff on efforts of advocacy and mentoring for our members. Having recently completed his Masters in Sustainable Urban Development in the Spring ‘19, Fred will look for opportunities to increase awareness of sustainability, affordable housing and social equity in initiatives the Board is involved with. Email Fred
2021 VP | SECRETARY
LEANNE MEYER-SMITH, AIA
Ms. Meyer-Smith has nearly 30 years of extensive experience that ranges from building design, facility analysis, and master planning to construction administration and project management applying her unique skills to both new construction and renovation work for a variety of clients. At Wight & Company she is responsible for leading teams in making a client’s vision become a successful reality. She is committed to providing leadership in a participatory process dedicated to bringing quality, sustainable solutions to each client’s building needs. Leanne is committed to collaborating with other architects in service, advocacy and public awareness relative to the profession of architecture. Email Leanne
2021 PRESIDENT-ELECT | TREASURER
JAMES MACIEJEWSKI, AIA
Jim is Principal Architect of JMA Architects. Having served on the Board of the Eastern Illinois Chapter and as a Director on the Illinois Chapter Board, Jim will continue to work on leadership development initiatives, advocacy, and issues important to members and the profession. He is honored to work with this Board and Staff to ensure that AIA Illinois endures as a trusted and respected voice for its members. Email James
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
STACEY PFINGSTEN
Stacey Pfingsten came on as the new EVP of AIA Illinois in September of 2019. She was previously the executive director of the Louisiana Architecture Foundation (LAF), organizing the South's first ever Annual Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF) in New Orleans as well as spearheaded LAF's first produced documentary "Unexpected Modernism: The Wiener Brothers Story," which recently aired on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Prior to living in New Orleans, she lived in Chicago for a number of years and has served as the communications director for Preservation Chicago, worked for several City of Chicago aldermen, and even ran once, albeit unsuccessfully in 2015 for 2nd Ward Alderman in Chicago. Stacey was born and raised on a farm in Central Illinois. Email Stacey
PHOTO CREDIT: Sierra Smithers
AT-LARGE DIRECTOR
(12/2020)
Scott Rappe, AIA
Kuklinski + Rappe Architects
CHICAGO DIRECTOR
(12/2022)
Terran Wilson
Landon Bone Baker Architects, Ltd.
NORTHEAST DIRECTOR
(12/2021)
Megan Harte, AIA
845 Design Group
AT-LARGE DIRECTOR
(12/2020)
Graham Grady
Taft Chicago
CHICAGO DIRECTOR
(12/2023)
Wei Yu, AIA
Yu & Associates Collaborative, PLLC
PRAIRIE DIRECTOR
(12/2023)
Todd Higginbotham, AIA
Bailey Edward
CHICAGO DIRECTOR
(12/2021)
Jeff Jeno, AIA
Moody Nolan
EASTERN DIRECTOR
(12/2022)
John Murawski, AIA
Robert Juris & Assoc. Architects, Ltd.
REGIONAL ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
(12/2021)
Molly M. Rademacher, Assoc. AIA
YOUNG ARCHITECT REGIONAL DIRECTOR
(12/2022)
Holly Harris, AIA
SmithGroup
ILLINOIS REPS ON NAT'L STRATEGIC COUNCIL
(12/2023)
Janeen Harrell, AIA
ILLINOIS REPS ON NAT'L STRATEGIC COUNCIL
(12/2022)
Mark Schwamel, AIA
Kahler Slater
ILLINOIS REPS ON AIA COLLEGE OF FELLOWS
David Chasco, FAIA
Roula Alakiotou, FAIA
Roula Associates Architect, Chtd.
ILLINOIS REGION AXP ADVISOR
Sean Gallagher
Judson University
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2021 AIA AT-LARGE
Ryan Gann, Assoc. AIA
Ross Barney Architects
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2021 AIA PRESIDENT
Peter Exley, FAIA
Architecture is Fun LLC
STUDENT DIRECTOR
To Come