Meet the 2024 AIA Cincinnati Executive Committee
AIA Cincinnati is led by a volunteer board, elected by our chapter members. Get to know your chapter leadership in these profiles.
Zoë A. Gizara, AIA
MSP Design
2024 AIA Cincinnati President
What is the biggest value you see in AIA membership?
AIA provides the opportunity to network and collaborate differently, at a level of common purpose that extends beyond the projects and business decisions, to best practices, to broader ideas about the impact of our work, and the inspiration to do better. Through participating in AIA locally, attending conventions and plugging into knowledge communities over the last 25 years I have met so many wonderful people whom I consider friends and mentors who I may otherwise have never interacted with If I had never ventured beyond the job.
What AIA Cincinnati programs are you looking forward to most in 2024?
Really looking forward to this year’s VISION lecture series, the Academy series on the Ohio 2024 Building Code, and all the fun and inspiring WiA events.
Paul Shirley, AIA, NCARB, leed ap bd+c, sap
pelican studio
2024 AIA Cincinnati Vice President/President Elect
What is the value of AIA membership?
I find the biggest impact of being a long-standing member of AIA has had on my career is networking. I believe our ability to network with other like-minded individuals has contributed to the professional value architects have in shaping the environment and our ability to adapt, thrive, sustain, promote, influence, and drive change. Without AIA, I believe our industry would become just another person in the back seat along for the ride. No control from the back seat, difficult to be heard when the privacy window is up. Detached from the discussion and the ability to influence the conversation.
AIA has provided the opportunity for me to advance my career, expose me to what and how others do things in the industry, and provided ways for me to develop and refine my passion for working with younger professionals and mentor them through their exam or helping them advance their career. It wasn’t AIA doing this for me. It was AIA who provided the opportunities. I needed the AIA. I also know that the AIA needs me. It needs other architectural career minded professionals to keep the value of the architect up in the front seat. Sometimes, we’ll even be lucky enough to drive. That’s the value of AIA membership to me.
What AIA Cincinnati program are you looking forward to most in 2024?
This is a very exciting year for engaging with AIA Cincinnati. The committees have ramped up their offerings and boy – do they have some great programs! The group I am looking forward to is the Ohio Small Firm Exchange (SFx). Being a small firm myself – this group is always able to keep me sane, reassure me that things will be ok. Assist with advice for any issue that comes my way. It’s just a great way to chat with other small firm leaders while drinking a cup-o-joe. It’s gonna be a great year!
Rob Busch, FAIA, Leed AP
drawing dept
2024 AIA Cincinnati Secretary
How has AIA membership benefited you?
I am naturally introverted, insular, contrarian to a fault, and independent. While these traits have served me well at times, they have also proved to be difficult professional hurdles. Honestly, I think I was ‘at-odds’ with the AIA for a number of years – or at least at odds with the cost of membership. It felt ‘right’ to belong to the AIA, but also obligatory; I was paying for the use of the three letters after my name. Ultimately, I found that AIA Cincinnati is comprised of a great group of real people practicing architecture from a variety of viewpoints and interests. They are celebrating good work and stellar careers through awards programs.
Opportunities through the AIA have given me exposure to so many interesting, like-minded friends [and frenemies] sharing a passion for design and making Cincinnati an amazing place to work and live. Like many things in life, the real value of the AIA can’t be fully understood until you actually take the small but bold step forward and participate.
What AIA Cincinnati program are you looking forward to most in 2024?
Following my personal interests, I really enjoy the CRANawards program. It’s amazing to see the quality of work being provided across a multitude of local firms. I find it encouraging and it inspires me to do better work. Additionally, it’s great to catch up with friends, practitioners, and sponsors that share a passion for residential design. The banquet is relaxed and meeting new people is easy.
Monica Lowry, AIA, NCARB
Burgess & Niple
2024 AIA Cincinnati Treasurer
How has AIA membership benefited you?
I participated in the AIA Cincinnati VISION program back in 2011/12 and it was an amazing experience that really propelled my career. I recognize that the creation and maintenance of programs like VISION are a result of selfless, dedicated leaders within AIA. I am at the point in my career where it is time for me to step into that role and be a part of something great for the next generation of architects.
What AIA Cincinnati program are you looking forward to most in 2024?
I am looking forward to the VISION lectures- they always provide great content and a unique perspective. The Golf Scramble in June is also a great event that is a lot of fun and a great opportunity to connect/network.