The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles recently announced the winners of the 2022 annual Presidential and Board of Director Awards, known as the “Presidential Honors”. The awards recognize the recipients for “their contributions to LA’s evolving landscape and reflect the goals of greater inclusivity, diversity, and equity, both within the profession and the built environment.”
Among the recipients is Partner Energy Director, Lance Collins, who will be receiving the Robert Kennard, FAIA Award for Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Award, which “distinguishes an architect, designer or architectural practice that embodies social responsibility and actively addresses equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the profession.”
Lance Collins is a Principal at Partner Energy and the Director of the Green Certifications Practice Group. He is a licensed architect in California, a LEED Accredited Professional, Green Globes Professional, and a Certified Sustainable Building Advisor with over twenty years of professional experience in architecture, urban design, and sustainable design consulting. Lance also previously served as the President of the Southern California chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects, SoCalNOMA.
From the award announcement:
“Among his numerous contributions was the launch of the SoCalNOMA DEI Challenge in 2020 to provide local AEC firms with a tracking tool to measure and grow diversity in the industry. This tool has been used by dozens of local and national firms to be more transparent with their performance and to set goals for the future. Lance also co-founded the SoCalNOMA Leadership Development Program (i.e. LeaderFlow) that provides executive style training for younger AEC professionals of color to prepare them to take on management and leadership roles within their firms and expose them to personal and professional growth strategies to support their career advancement. In 2021 he curated the exhibition “Not Now, But Right Now,” featuring works of diverse architects and designers to increase the representation in the local community of the depth and excellence of work being produced by NOMA members.”
The honorees will be celebrated at the 2022 AIA|LA Design Awards Ceremony, which will be held in person at the BroadStage in Santa Monica on October 27.