DCNOMA Executive VP Telicious Robinson Joins the AIA Leadership Summit & Hill Day: Elevating Voices, Empowering Communities
DCNOMA is proud to highlight the inspiring leadership of our Executive Vice President, Telicious Robinson, who recently participated in the 2025 AIA Leadership Summit and AIA Hill Day in Washington, D.C. As a member of the prestigious Next to Lead cohort, Telicious joined fellow changemakers from across the nation for a transformative experience filled with advocacy, collaboration, and growth.
This year’s AIA Leadership Summit brought together over a thousand architects, emerging professionals, and thought leaders to explore how leadership can shape the future of architecture and the communities it serves. For Telicious, this marked her first Leadership Summit—but certainly not the last.
“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to reunite with my Next to Lead cohort, an inspiring group of fierce women, as we engaged in leadership training, deep conversations, and personal growth,” said Telicious. “This program has been truly transformative.”
As part of Next to Lead, the AIA’s groundbreaking leadership development initiative for ethnically diverse women, Telicious has been engaging in a yearlong journey focused on strategic leadership, organizational change, and creating equitable pathways within the profession. Her involvement represents not only her personal growth but also DCNOMA’s continued commitment to nurturing future leaders in architecture.
This year’s summit was also extra special for Telicious as she had the VIP honor of meeting Baratunde Thurston, the keynote speaker at the summit. Thurston—an Emmy-nominated host, activist, and New York Times best-selling author—is known for his powerful voice on democracy, race, and innovation. The opportunity to connect with him one-on-one was a highlight of the event and a source of inspiration for Telicious and others who had the chance to engage with his ideas more personally.
“Meeting Baratunde was surreal. His message about reimagining leadership and community deeply resonated with me—and reminded me that storytelling, design, and advocacy are all interconnected tools for justice,” she shared.
Advocating for Change on Capitol Hill
In addition to attending leadership workshops, Telicious took part in AIA Hill Day, joining her colleagues from AIA Virginia to advocate for critical policy issues directly with lawmakers. Meeting with Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, and Representatives including Bobby Scott, John McGuire, Jennifer McClellan, Don Beyer, and Morgan Griffith, Telicious and her team pushed for policies that will impact architects and the communities they serve:
Building resilient communities
Expanding affordable housing programs
Ensuring design freedom for federal buildings
Securing fair fees for federal contracts
Advocating for tax incentives for architects working in sustainability, preservation, and innovation
“This experience energized me in a way I didn’t expect,” Telicious shared. “As architects, we have a responsibility to use our voices to shape policies that affect our work and our neighborhoods. We are not just designers—we are advocates for change.”
Special recognition goes to Paul R. Battaglia, AIA, whose mentorship empowered Telicious and her peers, including Nicholas Duncan and Claude Breithaupt, AIA, to confidently speak with lawmakers and elevate the concerns of architects on a national platform.
A Leader for DCNOMA and Beyond
Telicious’s participation at this year’s summit and her ongoing role in Next to Lead serve as a powerful example of what it means to lead with purpose. As Executive VP of DCNOMA, a practicing Technical Designer and Medical Planner, and an adjunct professor at Kent State University, she brings passion, dedication, and a deep sense of responsibility to everything she does.
Her presence at the Summit not only uplifts our chapter but also underscores the importance of diverse leadership in advocacy spaces. Representation matters—and Telicious is leading the way, showing up, speaking out, and building bridges between communities, institutions, and the architectural profession.
We celebrate this milestone with Telicious and look forward to the many more to come. Her voice, her courage, and her vision continue to inspire us all.
Congratulations, Telicious, and thank you for representing DCNOMA with strength and grace. This is just the beginning.