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Nela De Zoysa
Nela De Soysa is no stranger to this office, as she is being reappointed to this position for the second time and will continue the work she has been actively campaigning on behalf of the RIBA’s international membership such as: Introducing a fairer international ‘Tiered Membership Fee’ related to the earning capacity of the relevant country which would in turn drastically increase the international membership as well as initiating a positive ‘international recruitment drive’ that also benefits RIBA international chapters locally; looking at methods to
attract and enrol more international student members continuing the ‘free of charge’ subscription offer with an easier method to transfer their international student membership into chartered membership as they qualify; persuading new international chapters and networks of RIBA members to form globally including a pilot scheme in India and Sri Lanka which is already leading to the establishment of a new chapter; building strong relationships and influence through ARCASIA and ultimately setting up RIBA:ASIA; developing possibilities for wider international coverage to ‘showcase’ the work of international members in the RIBA journal; and developing an internationally-focused RIBA newsletter.
RIBA is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but is also active internationally, and was founded for the advancement of architecture under its charter granted in 1837.
With about 5,000 international members who were able to nominate and cast votes, Nela De Soyza won this election over six other international candidates.
In the year 2000 Nela De Zoysa was the first ever Sri Lankan woman to receive the South Asian Architects Commendation Award
Passion for architecture
Hailing from an architectural background, Nela De Soyza is the daughter of prominent architect Dr. Justin Samarasekera, who was a founder member, Honorary Fellow and Gold Medallist of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects. However, for most part, her success is self-made and her passion for architecture is apparent in the many stories she shared with the Daily FT with much enthusiasm. 
For instance, she was the first student of the City School of Architecture to receive RIBA accreditation at a time when they did not recognise the alma mater. She singlehandedly paved the way for many other Sri Lankan students of architecture who studied outside the local universities to get the RIBA qualification, a high mark of recognition which many others followed later.
Not satisfied with simply changing the rules, she then worked diligently to make a more permanent impact by spearheading a mission for her alma mater to get RIBA accreditation which she succeeded in 2011.
A leader in her field
A leader in her field and a woman pioneer, Nela De Soyza boasts of a history of firsts in her resume. She is the first Sri Lankan recipient of the ARC Asia Gold Medal, the first Sri Lankan woman recipient of the South Asian Architects Commendation Award, the first woman office bearer of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects and the first Sri Lankan woman to receive an American Institute of Architecture (AIA) honorary fellowship, not only recognising her achievements but also holding her out as a model architect who has made significant contribution to architecture and society at an international level.
Significantly she is also the only Sri Lankan after Geoffrey Bawa to receive this honour, and has the added distinction of being the first woman from the SAARC region extending from France to the Philippines
She was also a recipient of the Geoffrey Bawa Commendation award in 2008. She has also been honoured with much recognition in Sri Lanka as well, as a woman pioneer in the industry which predominantly recognises men and was featured in ‘Power Women,’ a series of interviews that focused on leading women in various fields, as well as the recipient of the Zonta Women in Achievement award for architecture.
What is unique about Nela De Soyza is that, her international recognition allows her to connect the corners of the globe in her work. In addition to also being an associate member of RIBA she is also a honorary fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a fellow member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, an associate Member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, an associate member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and a life member of the Indian Institute of Interior Designers.
Apart from her position as in international council member of the RIBA, she has also held office in other international organisations such as the Chair of the Fellowship Committee of the Architects Regional Council of Asia.
