Date: July 15, 2024
In April 2024, over 20 former AIA presidents signed a letter expressing concerns of financial mismanagement, nepotism, and more within AIA leadership. The Architect's Newspaper and other media reported on recent developments, including an investigation into the claims and a lawsuit filed by TELG client and former AIA chief counsel Terrence Ona who alleged he was fired in retaliation for reporting potential misconduct by the CEO.
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AIA leadership addresses misconduct claims with independent investigation
In response to concerns raised by 22 former AIA presidents in a letter dated April 4, and another letter sent by this year’s FAIA selection committee dated April 2, AIA has engaged Miller & Chevalier, a Washington, D.C.–based law firm, for an independent investigation into the claims.
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Former AIA general counsel Terrence Ona was terminated on April 24 after he was put on administrative leave for allegedly engaging in “potential misconduct” against Woods. (Ona was the person who reported [AIA CEO Lakisha Wood]’s financial activity to the AIA’s treasurer Heather Philip-O’Neal.) AIA’s head of human resources, Kiersten Thornton, told Ona he was being investigated for discrimination, and that he “targeted African-American/[B]lack women in his review.”
In turn, Ona filed a lawsuit against AIA in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on June 6. Ona alleges that he’s been unlawfully discriminated against, unlawfully retaliated against, wrongfully terminated, and defamed by his former employer. He is suing for $2 million.
According to the lawsuit, Ona had been with the AIA since 2007 and possessed “a record of excellent performance and exceeded or met expectations at all relevant times prior to [AIA’s] discrimination.” The lawsuit claims that Ona was fired because of an inquiry he made into the actions of Woods and CSO Vicky Schneider.
Ona is bringing six charges against AIA. Court materials claim that AIA’s “illegal actions against Ona have damaged Ona’s reputation and have caused him to sustain economic damages and mental anguish.”
>> View full story on The Architect’s Newspaper
[ADDITIONAL COVERAGE]
American Institute of Architects CEO Accused of Misconduct
From Bloomberg (June 7, 2024)
Twenty-two past presidents of the American Institute of Architects signed a letter raising claims of misconduct against the organization’s current leadership, including concerns about misspending, nepotism and retaliation in the workplace.
The letter is one of a series of communications from professional architect groups, including state and local AIA chapters, charging that the national organization’s executive vice president and chief executive officer, Lakisha Ann Woods, has used the office to reward herself and allies. The CEO said in an interview there was no misconduct.
The AIA is also facing a lawsuit from the former chief counsel for the AIA, Terrence “Terry” Ona, for discrimination, wrongful termination and defamation.
>> View full story on Bloomberg
AIA members decry nepotism and other misconduct claims
From Archinect News (June 10, 2024)
Allegations of executive misconduct on the part of American Institute of Architects (AIA) CEO Lakisha Ann Woods and senior staffers who allegedly engaged in nepotism and other forms of unethical behavior have surfaced amidst the annual AIA24 conference that was held last week in Washington, D.C.
The list of accusations stemming from an April 4th letter signed by more than twenty past AIA presidents calls into question the organization’s leadership at a critical time. In an article published by Bloomberg late Friday, Woods and others were maligned for a series of missteps that includes a $152,000 staff retreat to the Dominican Republic in early March, unlawful firings and other retaliation, changes to the College of Fellows nominations process, and an increasingly toxic work culture within the AIA National ranks.
Additionally, as Bloomberg reported, former Chief Council Terrance Ona has recently entered an employment discrimination suit against the AIA, claiming he was unlawfully terminated in response to his March 25th internal complaint detailing Woods’ personal misuse of office privileges.
