AIA Vermont's Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Diantha Korzun, AIA of gbA Architecture and Planning in Montpelier, VT will be stepping into the role of AIA Strategic Councilor, representing the AIA Vermont chapter in this role. This two-year position will provide a variety of ways to engage with the challenges and opportunities facing the profession, from both the national and local perspectives. The Council advances the profession by informing the Board of Directors and other AIA bodies of important professional issues and opportunities. It is charged with identifying opportunities and threats related to the profession and engaging in strategic planning to inform AIA’s goals, objectives, and strategies. Councilors will be expected to serve as a communications link between the Strategic Council and AIAVT to improve and increase the flow of information throughout the AIA.

Diantha brings to this role a background that includes twenty years of involvement with AIA, including as AIAVT Board President in 2012, as well as AIA New England President in 2015. Along with her history of involvement with AIA in volunteer and leadership positions, Diantha also brings her experience as owner of a small architectural firm in Vermont, a passion to serve the community, a commitment to promote sustainable building, and a belief that all people deserve good design.

During her time on the AIA New England Council, Diantha shared that she "learned a lot about what was going on regionally through my interactions on that board, and what their concerns were in the architectural community, which was often different from Vermont but equally important." Diantha also had the opportunity to attend the AIA Grassroots conference in Washington, DC four times, and went to numerous AIA National Conventions. "These were tremendous learning experiences,” Diantha says, “and this was when I began to understand the interconnectedness of national to regional and to our state."

Regarding this opportunity, Diantha shared that she believes small firm ownership is reflective of so many of our members in Vermont and in the region, but they are often underrepresented at the national level. She notes, "In addition, as a female business owner, I believe I can also advocate for this underrepresented group as well, and I am passionate to do so. Female architects own a very small percentage of firms now, and I hope to inspire other female architects and underrepresented groups to take the same path I have to ownership."

When asked to comment on the selection of Diantha to this position, 2021 AIAVT President Catherine Lange notes, “The AIA Vermont executive committee met with Diantha to discuss her interest in this position. The group thought that Diantha’s prior AIA board experience at multiple levels, in addition to her small business ownership, would make her a great fit to represent AIA Vermont. Diantha’s interests in equity and climate mirror those of the board, and we hope to push these issues forward at both the state and national level.”

Diantha will begin her role as Strategic Councilor in January of 2022. The AIA Vermont Board of Directors is excited to work with Diantha, and have a direct connection between our chapter and AIA National.