Ottawa-based architect Lara McKendrick has been named the new council president of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA).

With 25 years of experience, she was elected to the one-year position during the council meeting held on January 22, 2026.

“I am so excited for this opportunity to help lead our governing board of directors. This is the final year of the OAA’s current Strategic Plan, which includes climate action and equity, diversity, and inclusion as the two main lenses through which we view all the work we undertake,” said McKendrick. “I was fortunate to be a Councillor when OAA Council and senior staff crafted this plan. As president, I will continue to pursue the worthy priorities and projects currently underway.”

McKendrick has been a licensed architect since 2003 and is the founder of Lara McKendrick Architecture Inc. (LMA), specializing in adaptive reuse, custom residential projects, and deep energy retrofits. Her work is guided by a first-principles approach to sustainability, creating healthy, flexible, durable, and beautiful spaces.