Powerful XIII: Women in Design

Powerful XIII: Women in Design returns for its thirteenth edition in early May 2026, organised by AIA Los Angeles as one of the most substantive annual forums on practice leadership, equity and the business of architecture on the West Coast. The symposium is pitched at firm principals, studio leaders and emerging design leads rather than at an early-career audience, addressing the specific challenges and opportunities that come with running and growing a practice.

The programme examines the structural dynamics of architectural business, including client relationships, fee negotiation, studio culture and the decisions that shape whether a practice thrives or stagnates over time. Speakers are drawn from practitioners with direct experience of navigating these questions at senior level, and the format encourages honest exchange about the realities of practice leadership rather than aspirational narratives.

For women in architecture and design in the Los Angeles region and beyond, Powerful is one of the few forums in the professional calendar that addresses the intersection of gender, leadership and commercial practice in a direct and substantive way. Full programme and ticket details will be published through aialosangeles.org ahead of the May event.