For anyone that has interacted with MAF or the American Institute of Architects Michigan (AIAMI) over the past nearly 29 years, the name Evelyn Dougherty is more than familiar. Until recently, Evelyn served as AIA Michigan’s Operations, Events and Membership Director, where she wore many hats, including leading operations, and maximizing member and sponsor relations for the organization. (Evelyn recently started a new career role as Events Manager with Ngage Management).
When Evelyn first started with AIAMI in 1994, the organization also handled member support for AIA Detroit for both organizations, as well as administrative and event organization and support for MAF. Until recent years, the annual Health Facilities and Educational Facilities conferences were both led and sponsored by MAF; both events eventually transitioned to and are currently led by AIAMI. Evelyn also helped to manage MAF’s Evans Graham Historic Preservation Grant application and administration processes and assisted with MAF’s annual Auction for Education, held at the AIA/AGC Michigan Midsummer Conference.
What first prompted Evelyn’s interest in working for AIAMI? “I had known Rae Dumke (former AIAMI Executive Director, who retired in 2011, and current MAF Trustee) for a long time, and my aunt and grandmother worked for AIA Michigan, AIA Detroit, and the Michigan Architectural Foundation,” said Evelyn. I was in the co-op program in high school and needed a job. Rae and Cathy (Cathy Mosley, current AIAMI Executive Director) hired me and I stayed.”
Evelyn continues, “I loved working with and supporting the members of both AIA Michigan and Detroit, and MAF’s board, donors, and volunteers. I have brought my love for working with associations into my new role. And of course, I love architecture, and I’m still out there advocating for architects and architecture, even though it is no longer my day-to-day responsibility.”
In her spare time, Evelyn loves to spend time with her dogs and plays virtual Euchre with friends and family weekly.
“Evelyn has been instrumental in helping MAF and our programs grow over the years, particularly, as MAF became more independent from AIA Michigan and AIA Detroit,” said Doug Kueffner, MAF 2022/2023 president. “We greatly appreciate everything that Evelyn has done over the years to help support MAF and to fulfill our mission of advancing awareness of how architecture enriches life. On behalf of MAF, we wish her continued success in her new role.”