S0: Bootcamp
January 17th, 2025
Location: Page
Led by: James Jesmer, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA and Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) proudly welcomes its 2025 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.
This year, the program is led by new co-chairs James Jesmer, AIA, and Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA, who will guide the scholars through an intensive eight-month journey focused on leadership, collaboration, and professional growth. The program launched with an engaging bootcamp, where scholars were introduced to the structure of CKLDP and the responsibilities they will take on. Over the next eight months, they will be at the helm, planning and leading a series of dynamic sessions covering key topics that shape the future of the profession:
Leading Together
The Art of Negotiation
Tackling Climate Change
Professional Practice & The One-Day MBA
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Research & Data
Emerging Issues & The Future of Practice
Practice Reimagined: Integrating and Expanding Our Impact
To kick off the program, each scholar introduced themselves through a Pecha Kucha-style presentation, using three images to share their story: one representing who they are, another illustrating the type of leader they currently embody, and the last showcasing the leader they aspire to become. This exercise not only set the stage for personal reflection but also fostered an immediate sense of camaraderie among the scholars.
The Bootcamp included a keynote by Daniel Blair, AIA, NCARB, a past CKLDP scholar and former program chair. His journey through CKLDP and beyond provided valuable insights into the impact of leadership development, encouraging this new cohort to embrace the challenges ahead with confidence and ambition.
With a strong foundation set, the 2025 scholars are poised to navigate the months ahead, engaging in meaningful discussions, collaborating with industry leaders, and shaping their leadership trajectories. As they take ownership of the program, they will not only strengthen their own leadership skills but also contribute to the broader architectural community by fostering dialogue, innovation, and impact.