Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, is a health care architect, educator, and organizational leadership strategist whose work integrates architecture, neuroscience, and intercultural design. She serves as the 2026 President-elect of The American Institute of Architects, bringing a systems-focused approach that centers community resilience, design excellence, and the future of professional practice. Santos Rivera has held extensive national and regional leadership roles within AIA, including service on the AIA Board of Directors, the AIA Strategic Council, and multiple national task forces advancing health, equity, and public policy. As the 2023 President of AIA|DC, she strengthened governance structures, expanded chapter engagement, and advanced alignment with emerging priorities across climate, community, and practice.

A dedicated educator, she is a full-time lecturer at Howard University, where her teaching is shaped by neuroscience research, community engagement frameworks, and justice-focused design methodologies. Her architectural portfolio includes major health care and research facilities for Nemours Children’s Health, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Across all her work, she is committed to expanding pathways into the profession, elevating cultural understanding, and strengthening the impact of design on human well-being.