Robert Ivy

Robert Ivy is the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Ivy was named CEO in 2011.

Ivy holds a Masters of Architecture from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) in English from Sewanee: The University of the South.

Under Ivy's leadership since 2011, the AIA is transforming to serve the architecture profession in the 21st century. He is repositioning the AIA from its rich legacy into a proactive, responsive, and influential organization. Chief among his and the organization's goals are heightening public awareness of the value and relevance of all architects.

Signature accomplishments include streamlining AIA governance to improve decision-making, building a new digital-first technology infrastructure, and launching an award-winning public awareness campaign I Look Up. Robert's latest focus is shifting AIA resources to prepare architects for their role in addressing today's pressing issues—climate change, sustainability, and the impact of design on public health.

In 1996, Ivy became the Editor in Chief of Architectural Record, which he helped grow to become the world's most widely read architectural journal. Ivy became Vice President and Editorial Director of McGraw-Hill Construction Media, which included GreenSource: The Magazine of Sustainable Design, SNAP, Architectural Record: China, HQ Magazine, ENR, Constructor, and Sweets.

Ivy frequently speaks about the role and meaning of architecture in our lives. He has delivered keynote speeches and moderated discussions at U.S. and international events such as the Library of Congress, the National Building Museum, and the Monterey Design Conference.

His interviews include an architectural who's who, from the Aga Khan to AIA Gold Medal recipients to emerging architects. He has appeared on A & E, The Discovery Channel, CBS's The Early Show, NPR's All Things Considered, PBS's Evening News with Jim Lehrer and BBC World. In 2002, 2004, and 2006 Ivy served as the U.S. Commissioner of the Venice Architecture Biennale. His byline in major media outlets include CNN, Huffington Post, and the Washington Post.

Ivy was a juror on the panel that selected architect Frank Gehry to design the National Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial.

From 1981 until 1996 Ivy was a principal at Dean/Dale, Dean & Ivy and a critic for many national publications.

Following the 2016 American presidential election, Ivy pledged the support of the AIA to the incoming Donald Trump administration. His statement led to widespread criticism.

Under Ivy's editorial leadership, Architectural Record earned numerous publishing industry honors, including the premier magazine journalism award, the American Society of Magazine Editors National Magazine Award for General Excellence, an unusual achievement for a professional journal. Additionally, Architectural Record earned 26 Jesse H. Neal Awards, 7 Ozzies: Folio Design Awards and the 2008 MPA Digital Award for Website of the Year: Enthusiast.

In 2009, Ivy received the Crain Award, the American Business Media's highest recognition for an individual. Prior to that time, among other distinctions, he received the McGraw-Hill Award for Management Excellence in 1998. Ivy is also a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council.

In March 2010, Alpha Rho Chi, the national architecture fraternity, voted unanimously to name Ivy "Master Architect" for his effectiveness in communicating the value of design. Robert shares the designation with iconic architects Dr. Nathan Clifford Ricker (the first graduate of an American school of architecture), Cass Gilbert, Eliel Saarinen, John Wellborn Root, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Richard Buckminster Fuller, and I.M. Pei. He is one of seven to receive this honor in the fraternity's 100-year history and the only architect selected in the 21st century.

His authoritative biography "Fay Jones: Architect", published in 2001 and now in its third edition, showcases the work of the American architect who was an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Art Library Society of North America cited Fay Jones: Architect for "the highest standards of scholarship, design, and production."

Born in Columbus, Mississippi, Ivy currently lives in Washington, D.C. and returns frequently to his hometown.