Congratulations to our very own Jaclyn Tyler, AIA for receiving the AIA New York State Young Architect Award 2022. The Young Architect Award recognizes notable contributions and accomplishments within the architecture profession by an architect member in New York State who has also demonstrated exceptional leadership.

Jaclyn has led her 22 years in the profession, including the last 9.5 years of licensure with the belief success is defined not on who knows your name but on the impact you leave on the world and the influence you have on future generations.

Her ability to balance, multitask, and expand her many obligations as a wife, mother of three, business owner and volunteer has created a multitude of positive relationships for the profession via community interface and emphasis to mentor the next generation of architects. Jaclyn never accepts no for an answer and always searches for a way to accomplish the impossible. She strives to leave each room more positive than when entered.

Her “what if” mentality is aligned with an organized strategy to contribute to continued change. Jaclyn believes her legacy is not in what she does today but how her actions affect tomorrow.

Jaclyn’s interest as an AIA board member began after having her third child. Faced with a challenging employer who made life/work balance difficult, she yearned to stay active in the profession. It was then she opted for change. Quickly rising through the Chapter, as one of the youngest members, Jaclyn served as the youngest female President of the AIA WHV in 2019. She led the Chapter with immense energy and cultivated a strong leadership slate which continues to seek and inspire change. Her path to Presidency at the local level encouraged other females to get involved and the two consecutive Presidential successors were female.

In 2016, at a diversity seminar, Jaclyn learned her [local] concerns regarding the profession were not hers alone. The newfound data propelled Jaclyn to provide opportunities for all minorities and to create an equitable workplace. Advocating for diversity in the workplace, she spoke through articles [Women in the Workforce], podcasts [Managing Time, Family and Projects], programs [Live Webinar Series: Diversity | Equity | Inclusion] and one-on-one interactions with individuals.

Jaclyn's commitment and concern for the future put sustainability at the forefront of her practice. Beginning with her involvement on the design team for the first LEED Platinum facility in Westchester bringing the first wind turbines to the county, she understood the design process can help preserve our environment for future generations, including her own children. Jaclyn then developed design standards within her own practice as well as advocating for sustainability in all facets of the profession including reducing paper waste in the local municipality submission process.

An architect's impact in their community can reach all facets of people. Jaclyn's desire to be impactful led her to work with multiple agencies and non-profit organizations. Her pro-bono work, seminars, and radio outlets within the elder community supports those aging in place and those looking for affordable living scenarios. Her contributions to faith-based organizations extends from schematic designs of future community integration to providing resources to help more families in need.

With her continued investment into the future and the belief that the interest of architecture should begin at the youngest ages, Jaclyn established immersive architecture programs, providing the power of design to over 200 kids, through SUNY Purchase. She also donated Legos, taught classes for K - 12 students, and partnered with organizations helping students in need.

Every action Jaclyn Tyler has taken - and continues to take - is accelerated by the understanding architecture goes beyond a building...our legacy is how our actions and the spaces we design inspire others.