AIA Dallas and the Architecture and Design Foundation are excited to announce that Katie Hitt, Assoc. AIA, has been named the Managing Director of the Architecture and Design Exchange (AD EX). This new position will focus on driving growth and expanding exhibitions, tours, K-12 programming, community outreach, and scholarships. Katie begins her new role this month alongside Executive Director Zaida Basora, FAIA.

Katie has spent the past ten years at AIA Dallas, most recently as Communications and Government Relations Director, overseeing the communications, branding, public relations, advocacy, and awards programs of the organization. Over her time at the Chapter, she has managed 24 committees and has been responsible for many of the most prominent and record-setting events. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University College of Architecture, where she earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design with a minor in Art & Architectural History. Katie is Managing Editor of Columns magazine, a 2019 graduate of the AIA Dallas Advanced Leadership Program, and a 2013 graduate of AIA Dallas Emerging Leaders Program. Additionally, she serves on the City of Dallas Development Advisory Board. Katie has spoken at multiple national conferences on topics related to social media and grassroots advocacy. She received a Presidential Citation from AIA Dallas in 2014.

Our vision for the AD EX is to engage, inspire, influence, and serve as a resource and destination. With her tremendous knowledge of the organizations housed at AD EX and extensive experience working with volunteers, leading communications, and managing awards programs and signature events, Katie is the perfect person to help us realize the new vision for activities under the AD EX umbrella.

— Zaida Basora, FAIA

In addition to driving new and existing AD EX programming and outreach, the Managing Director will lead the charge in establishing AD EX as a learning laboratory and hub for all things architecture, as well as bridging Chapter and Foundation together so they support each other in areas where community engagement is part of the mission. The Managing Director is also engaged heavily in community relations and ongoing partner development, with the goal of fostering deeper and more valuable connections within the design community and throughout North Texas. “I see a great deal of opportunity to build on what we’ve accomplished in the short time in our new home,” Katie said. “I’m excited to get to work!”