ACHP Foundation Emerging Historic Preservation Leaders Initiative Nominations Due January 16
The ACHP Foundation, as part of its mission to support the purposes of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, has launched an initiative to cultivate and support the next generation of preservation leaders. Honoring the 60th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Foundation will collaborate with the ACHP, the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation, and other preservation partners to encourage career development and promote relationship building among rising preservation leaders to support them in shaping the future of the National Historic Preservation Program.
The initial effort is to bring together a group of emerging leaders, representative of the full range of the preservation movement and American society, for a conversation on how the national program should move forward. NHPA anniversaries have traditionally been an occasion for assessing the achievements of the program and looking ahead.
The plan for 2026 is to convene a group of emerging leaders in the fall for an immersive examination of future goals and directions.
For this initiative, ACHP Foundation is seeking individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in preservation and possess the potential for assuming a leadership role in some area of the preservation program. Candidates should be early to mid-career professionals with several years of experience, drawn from the many fields of preservation including development, public administration, law, education, professional disciplines, traditional crafts, indigenous culture, and community engagement. ACHP seeks candidates to build a group that represents all of American society.
Participants should possess the following skills/attributes:
- Able to work across disciplines, collaborate with one another, foster partnerships, and clearly articulate preservation's value to diverse stakeholders, not just specialists, using engaging storytelling;
- Comfortable with utilizing digital tools for research, mapping (GIS), preservation, and outreach to create tangible products that connect with new audiences;
- Willing to develop a deep knowledge of preservation standards (like Section 106) with creative, cost-effective solutions and risk management;
- Able to maintain an open mindset, learning from experience and staying current with new approaches in preservation and related fields;
- Demonstrate strong ethics, build mental resilience for inevitable challenges, and willing to lead with purpose and integrity.
ACHP Foundation will select 10-12 candidates for a planning committee meeting in March. The remaining group of nominees will be placed in the pool for selecting the participants in the fall convocation, which may be expanded later. Selecting them will be guided by the planning committee working with the Foundation and our partners.
The Foundation will cover expenses for the planning committee's March meeting, including travel and lodging. Stipends may be available if needed.
Please consider nomination of emerging leaders for this initiative, to include a resume of the candidate's qualifications as well as observations on potential for leadership.
Email to Katherine Slick at kakslick@gmail.com. Deadline for submission is January 16, 2026.
------------------------------
Kathleen Lane AIA
The American Institute of Architects
Washington DC
------------------------------