A graduate of Civil Engineering from Queen’s University, Afsar has a background as a professional engineer. She gained regulatory experience with Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), where she was responsible for discipline and compliance functions in her role as director, enforcement.

Afsar’s board governance experience includes two terms as a municipal councillor with Kananaskis Improvement District where she served as a board chair and vice chair of key committees including budget and audit. She has completed the Institute of Corporate Directors Program offered by the Rotman School of Management and obtained the ICD.D designation.

Outgoing executive director Barbara Bruce retired in mid-May. The association said it has great appreciation for her years of dedicated service and leadership and wishes her the best in her future endeavors.

With Afsar leading the organization, the AAA is poised to continue working hard to collectively advance the professions of architecture and interior design while ensuring public safety.

The AAA also announced that Natasha Jalbert will serve a second term, continuing in her role as president of the AAA Council for 2024-2025.

She brings a wealth of expertise to the role, having been involved with numerous AAA committees and task forces. Over this past year, she joined the finance and audit and risk management committee, in addition to her involvement with the governance and human resources committee.