Leah Alissa Bayer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, is President of Architects FORA, a 100% women-owned, 100% virtual, mid-sized architecture firm that specializes in affordable housing, community engagement, and research. Labeled a vanguard for her progressive business practices by peers, Leah designs systems and teams that are radically transparent, equitable, and healthy, which then carries into the work that FORA creates. Prior to FORA, Leah founded a virtual firm with an award-winning business plan, EVIA Studio, that she grew and merged with legacy firm OJK to become FORA.
An alumni of Cal Poly, SLO, Leah first studied engineering then graduated with a B.Arch and Fine Arts Minor. An AIA CA Young Architect Award recipient, keynote speaker, and volunteer leader focused on EDI and Practice for over a decade, her recent service includes the AIA Strategic Council, AIA Governance Task Force, AIA California Board, AIA Silicon Valley Past President, NCARB’s Futures Collaborative, and the Whatcom Housing Alliance.