2026: S6 - Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Session 6 explored Equity, Diversity and Inclusion through three modules that explored individual, firm and practice wide methods, as well as design methods to achieve diverse and equitable spaces for all.
2026: S5 - Emerging Opportunities & Technologies
This session explored the rapidly evolving landscape in architectural practice through a series of engaging and immersive experiences. The day began with a building tour of Virginia Tech Academic One Building, which showed first hand leading technologies creating building form and innovative spaces. The session followed with “Tech Talks” that provided a brief introduction of several emerging technologies and tools that are actively used in practice today. The session ended with a panel that brought together all speakers discussing where they feel the profession is heading and offered advice on the ever-evolving profession.
2026: S4 - Business Development & Entrepreneurship
Session 4 explored the evolving nature of professional development within architecture and related fields, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building, strategic career decisions, and long-term goal setting. Structured across four acts, the session examined how practitioners can leverage connections, reassess career trajectories, and define personal aspirations while grounding insights in real-world examples.
2026: S3 - Tackling Climate Change
Session 3 focused on the expanding leadership role architects play in addressing climate change through inspiration, investment-minded decision-making, and practical implementation. The session was structured around three acts—Inspire, Invest, and Implement —highlighting how design leadership can drive meaningful environmental and social impact.
2026: S2 - Community Engagement
The second session of CKLDP, titled Community Engagement, highlighted the critical role of empathy in the design process. The scholars learned how creating equitable environments requires designers to move beyond a "check-the-box" exercise and truly incorporate the wishes, wants, and needs of a project’s constituents. The speakers presented various strategies for bridging the gap between designers and the public, ensuring long-term stewardship and project success.
2026: S1 - Leading Together
The “Leading Together” session explored leadership through three connected perspectives: self-awareness, creativity, and collaboration. In Leadership Inside, participants examined their own constructive, passive, and aggressive thinking styles using the Lifestyles Inventory to better understand their strengths and areas for growth.
2026 Bootcamp
The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) proudly welcomes its 2026 cohort, a distinguished group of 16 scholars from diverse firms and institutions across the DC metro area. These leaders have been selected for their dedication to the profession and their ability to drive meaningful change within the architecture and design industry.
Categories
- 2024 CKLDP 10
- 2025 CKLDP 9
- 2026 CKLDP 7
- Bootcamp 3
- Business Development 1
- Celebration 1
- Community Engagement 2
- EDI 3
- Emerging Issues 2
- Emerging Opportunities 1
- Firm Resilience 1
- Leading Together 3
- Practice Reimagined 1
- Professional Practice 2
- Research & Data 1
- Tackling Climate Change 2
- the Art of Negotiation 3
- the Future of Practice 1