Philip-O’Neal of HPP elected treasurer of AIA National

Manhattan, NY Heather Philip-O’Neal, principal of HPP International LLC, an architecture and design firm, has been elected treasurer of AIA (American Institute of Architects) National. Philip-O’Neal has over 20 years of experience as an architect, business leader and educator. 

She was formerly the treasurer for NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects), the director of education on the AIA New York Chapter board of directors, president of the New York Coalition of Black Architects, and has served on the AIANY Chapter’s board of directors and on AIA National committees. She founded her own firm in 2017 after serving as a partner and design principal for TONA (Terrence O’Neal Architect LLC) for over 10 years.

Said Philip-O’Neal, “It is critical for the AIA to continue to provide resources and support firms nationwide. I believe the AIA can effectively increase the value of architects. Our profession continues to operate in a global community. We need to advance policy through our leadership, with inclusion, education, and professional support. I pledge to ensure that our members’ voices are heard, and that the public gains more knowledge of who we are and what we do.”

Kimberly Dowdell, principal, HOK and president-elect of AIA National, said, “It will be such a delight to work with Heather again in 2024 as she serves as AIA Treasurer. I had the privilege of being on the NOMA board when she was NOMA treasurer, so I look forward to seeing her talents benefit our profession on this larger platform in the coming years.”

During her tenure as treasurer of NOMA (2006- 2010), she was an integral part of initiatives that spurred unprecedented growth and engagement nationwide. Philip-O’Neal managed all monetary assets, including accounting and financial reporting, budgeting, and tracking. Her efforts improved NOMA’s financial stability and enabled the originally all-volunteer organization to hire paid staff and expand member services. She will apply her skills to her AIA role noting that “The AIA has maintained fiscal health throughout the pandemic, and I plan to continue this trend.”

As treasurer, Philip-O’Neal will focus on four areas to realize the AIA Strategic Plan. 

The 98^th African American woman registered as a licensed architect in the U.S. since 1942, she is committed to encouraging diversity & inclusion by increasing opportunities and knowledge of the profession for all including women of all races and ethnicities. She congratulates the AIA for its progress in this area. 

She will work to enhance and heighten the visibility of the role of the architect to the AEC industry and the general public. She serves on the AIA New York Chapter Advocacy Committee that tracks local and national policy issues and works to effect meaningful change on issues that impact members. Believing that advocacy is one of the AIA’s most vital functions, Philip-O’Neal is a board member of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx), which advances the mutual interests of architects in small firms. Close to 14,500 or 75% of AIA member firms identify as small, having fewer than 10 employees.

Philip-O’Neal also pledges to deliver action to mitigate climate change. She will continue to advocate for ways to best serve sustainability goals within budgetary parameters as she has done as a member on the AIA’s Finance & Audit Committee. She will work to ensure that the AIA continues to send a representative to the UN Climate Change Conference each year. 

A longtime professor at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Philip-O’Neal is aware of the need for expanding architectural education. She is dedicated to helping the next generation play a role in shaping the future of the built environment by making young people more aware of architecture as a career choice, increasing access, and opportunities. 

She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation. Philip-O’Neal has been honored by NOMA with the President’s Award and the Distinguished Educator Award; by Professional Women in Construction (PWC) with the Woman of Achievement Award; by NYCOBA|NOMA as a Distinguished Black Designer, and by the AIANY with the Harry B. Rutkins Award for Distinguished Service. She is an NCARB Scholar in Professional Practice, an Architect Licensing Advisor, and is registered to practice architecture in New York and New Jersey.