Kimberly Dowdell

Kimberly Dowdell has a diverse range of work experience. Kimberly is currently serving as the 2024 President for The American Institute of Architects (AIA), where they lead and represents the organization consisting of nearly 100,000 architects and design professionals. Kimberly is also a Principal at HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm. Kimberly is a Chicago Founding Member at Chief, a private network focused on empowering and advancing women in leadership roles. Previously, they served as the National President of NOMA (2019-2020), a nonprofit organization promoting diversity within the design profession. Kimberly also has experience as a Partner at Century Partners, Lecturer at Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, Executive Manager at the City of Detroit, and Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School. Earlier in their career, they worked as a Project Manager at Levien & Company and held various roles at HOK, including Communications Manager and Architectural Technician.

Kimberly Dowdell graduated from Cornell University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree. In 2015, they completed their Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in Urban Policy and Real Estate Development from Harvard Kennedy School. In 2006, they also attended Georgetown University Law Center for the Charles Hamilton Houston Law Preparatory Institute. Prior to that, they attended Cranbrook Schools from 1997 to 2001.