Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP)

CKLDP St. Louis Mission Statement
Empowering architects through a peer-led leadership development program that cultivates the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and skills, while promoting the growth and advancement of each individual as a leader in the region.

Program Overview
In 2013, AIA Washington, DC launched an initiative to cultivate and support the next generation of architectural leaders. Following its success in DC and other AIA chapters, the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) was introduced in St. Louis in 2021.

CKLDP is a year-long program comprised of nine half-day sessions attended by a competitively selected cohort of 16 emerging professionals. Emerging professionals are defined as individuals who have graduated with a degree in architecture and are within 10 years of achieving initial licensure.

Applicants are selected through a competitive process that considers professional accomplishments, community involvement, and support from their firm or agency.

Curriculum
The program curriculum focuses on essential leadership and professional development topics, including:

• Entrepreneurship and firm management
• Negotiation skills
• Client development
• Community leadership
• Industry trends and innovation
• Long-term career development within the profession

Participants take an active role in shaping the program by helping plan and engage in each session. The program begins with a “Boot Camp” designed to introduce participants, establish program goals, and launch the year’s curriculum.

Sessions are held monthly from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, running from September through May.
For a list of session dates and topics: Click Here

Tuition

• AIA Members: $460
• Non-AIA Members: $560

AIA St. Louis may offer tuition assistance to individuals from smaller firms or those with financial need. Awards are determined at the discretion of the Selection Committee. Applicants seeking assistance should follow the instructions provided in the application.

To pay tuition online: Click Here

AIA Membership
While preference is given to AIA St. Louis members, membership is not required. All emerging professionals are encouraged to apply regardless of membership status.

Program Commitment
Attendance is critical to the success of the program and is therefore mandatory. Absences may result in penalties or dismissal from the program. All participants must review, sign, and submit the CKLDP Attendance Agreement Form as part of the application.

To download the form: Click Here

Continuing Education
Participants will have access to AIA Continuing Education Units (CEUs), with a minimum of 16 CEUs anticipated over the course of the program.

Application Process
Candidates may be nominated by their firm or apply independently. The sixteen (16) successful applicants will represent a diverse group of emerging professionals that demonstrate strong potential as future leaders in our region. The application process is not intended to be exhaustive but is intended to be competitive and should not be taken lightly. 

Applicants are encouraged to:

• Highlight prior leadership experience
• Demonstrate what they will contribute to the cohort
• Articulate how they plan to apply the knowledge gained

Application Timeline & Details

• Call for Applications: Opens April 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM (CT)
• Application Workshop + Happy Hour (Optional):
  April 16, 2026 | 5:30–7:00 PM
  Hosted at the Jacobs office (near I-64/40 & Hampton)
  This session provides guidance on the application process and an opportunity to ask questions. Attendance is optional and does not impact selection.
  Click Here to Register
• Application Deadline:
  May 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM (CT)
• Interviews:
  Selected applicants will participate in a 15-minute virtual interview
• Notification of Acceptance:
  By July 1, 2026
• Tuition Due Date:

By August 1, 2026

• Welcome Happy Hour:
  August 11, 2026 (encouraged for accepted participants)

Required Application Materials

• Letter of Interest: all candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest stating why they are interested in participating in the program and what they hope to gain from the experience
• Letters of Recommendation: candidates may be nominated by others or be self-nominated. If an applicant is nominated by someone else, the letter of nomination may count towards the recommendation requirement. Each application must include a minimum of one and maximum of three, letter(s) of recommendation. It is in the best interest of the applicant to provide only strong letters of support/recommendation.
• Resume: including applicant’s education, employment history, organizations or activity involvement, and honors and awards. Resumes should be no more than two pages and uploaded in PDF format.
• Attendance Agreement Form: Signed and submitted as a PDF.

Click here to access the application.
We suggest that you review the application and the requirements before filling it out. There is the ability to save your form for editing later as well.

Honoring Christopher Kelley
Christopher Kelley, AIA, was a respected leader in the Washington, DC architectural community and a valued member of Gensler’s DC office. His dedication to mentorship and professional development left a lasting impact on emerging professionals. In 2010, he received the AIA Young Architects Award, with the jury recognizing him as “a real example for other young professionals.”

Following his passing in 2012, this program was established to honor his legacy—continuing his commitment to leadership, service, and the advancement of the profession.

2025-2026 CKLDP Committee:
CHAIR – Thomas Bahr, AIA – ckldp.stl@gmail.com
VICE-CHAIR – Amanda Jo Sullivan, AIA
PAST-CHAIR – Christina Brown, AIA
COMMITTEE MEMBERS – Erik Biggs, Geoff Crowley, Javier Diaz Vicens, Cody Henderson, Dohyoung Kim, Laura Stock, Geoff Vaughn, Abigael Weller, Daniel Wind

Thank you to our Benefactor Sponsors