Amy Vohs, AIA
AIA Oregon 2020 President

Some of you may know me but for those who don’t, here is a brief introduction. I am a senior associate with DLR Group in Portland, Oregon. Originally, I’m from just outside of St. Louis, Missouri and am a graduate of the University of Kansas under their five-year BARCH program. My husband and I moved to Portland in 2002 because we wanted to get closer to the mountains and the ocean, and we have loved every minute of it since. Architecturally, my background is in commercial architecture and, most recently, in the K-12 market after I moved to DLR Group in 2014.

I have been actively involved with the AIA for approximately 10 years. While I’ve been a member for longer, the last seven years have been the most beneficial. I started truly getting involved by restarting the ForWARD (Forum for Women in Architecture and Related Design) committee with a few amazing women. My involvement as Chair and then Co-Chair with Jennifer Wright lasted for three years. We created a mentorship program with the local Fellows Committee and other firm leaders, highlighting work that is being done by amazing women architects, landscape architects, artists and engineers in the Portland area. It was very rewarding to be able to create a network of talented individuals. I then moved on to the AIA Oregon Council as the treasurer for three years. There, I was able to participate in the reorganization of AIA Oregon into one state chapter. I’m currently the AIA Oregon President-Elect and excited to serve as the 2020-21 President!

I get the most out of being an AIA member by being involved. We can support each other through training, mentorship, camaraderie, and competition. We learn to be innovative by working with others and learning how far others have taken a similar design opportunity.

Often, I get this question: “How can I get involved? It is not as easy to find information anymore.” Don’t worry, we’re working on that! But in the meantime, here are a few ideas:

1. Start by being social. Check out the calendar of events and see if there is something you can drop in on. We grow as individuals by learning about what others around us are working on.

2. Become a mentor by working with the Emerging Professionals Committee or volunteering on an educational program idea.

3. Help to create or participate in an educational program.

4. Pay it forward by sponsoring an emerging professional to attend a conference.

This last year has been a good learning year for the board, gathering facts about what was great about each Section and how we might adopt and expand it to a state-wide Chapter. We’ve been through a lot of listening sessions and plan on more this year. We have gotten a lot of feedback on the newsletter and website and we hope to see a lot of new features being added or returning this year.

The Programs Committee is working on organizing state-wide programs with the different strategic initiative groups. There are a lot of events going on and a lot of new ideas coming out through our four strategic initiatives set for 2020. You have seen mentions about this from Curt Wilson in previous posts. If you missed it, follow this link to read more. Please check out the Calendar of Events here.

One of the best ways for firms and people to get the most out of membership is to be strategic about sponsoring programs or being on discussion panels for programs or issues that you are passionate about. Not only do peers see your interest and expertise but future employees or clients see your dedication to a shared interest. Get out there and get your firm’s name on some powerful programming efforts. If you don’t see a program you are passionate about, call us, help us create it! This Chapter is only as good as we make it.

I look forward to 2020!

Thank you!

Amy Vohs, AIA