Meet our Class of 2023 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) participants

Azadeh Mahmoudi, AIA, and Yuliana Hernandez, Associate AIA, join just 11 other  AIA Houston emerging design professionals for the year-long program. Nine AIA chapters across the US offer CKLDP and each  class consists of a competitively selected group of emerging professionals (defined as someone who has graduated from college with an architecture degree and is within 10 years of their first licensure). Prospective participants go through an application process for selection where proven career success, community involvement and the individual’s firm support are considered.

CKLDP kicks off with a boot camp orientation session. Scholars brainstorm curriculum topics ranging from Community Engagement to the Art of Negotiating. Guest speakers, often previous CKLDP participants themselves, share their expertise on core professional skills such as firm management, entrepreneurship, teamwork, collaboration, negotiation, client and community relationships, understanding industry trends, and career planning.

Congratulations to Azadeh and Yuliana!

Left: Azadeh Mahmoudi; Right: Yuliana Hernandez