Julie Leary Selected for AIA Triangle’s 2018 Leadership Forum

Architect Julie Leary was selected for annual AIA Triangle’s Emerging Professionals Leadership Forum in 2018. This alternative mentorship program is a collaborative experience for emerging professionals that includes a series of panel discussions with established leaders, themed readings, workshops, and a retreat.

Curated sessions are designed to expand understanding of successful leadership, facilitate exploration of leadership strategies, and assist self-reflection to cultivate a healthy and successful career within the industry. Topics explored during the year ranged from leadership in design and architectural practice to firm dynamics and community-based design.

As Julie notes, “Once you finish school, IDP, and licensure, there’s a period of ‘what’s next’—which is where the Forum really helps. I found the self-reflective exercises invaluable to identify strengths and better focus my efforts to navigate my career path. The small group setting allows for open discussion and valuable reflection and helps build a network of professional peers with much appreciated perspective and insight.”

Following the first year of Leadership Forum, Alumni are encouraged to remain active in Leadership Forum, facilitating sessions for the next selected class of emerging professionals and growing the network of future leaders engaged in the Triangle community.

Julie joined our Raleigh office in 2009 as an architectural intern and received her AIA licensure in 2014. She is a LEED accredited professional and a member of the Association for Learning Environments and AIA Committee on Architecture for Education.

With experience in our Education and Federal markets, Julie has contributed to projects ranging from K-12 and higher education learning environments to community centers, housing, and dining facilities. Julie’s recent project experience includes Apex High School, South Lakes Elementary School, and Conn Elementary School. Her work on Halifax Community Center won a Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance in 2017.

Julie is an active volunteer with several local community agencies including AventWest Children’s Mentoring and the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina. She graduated from NC State with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2010 and a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture in 2009.