Executive Director

Tia Perry is an award-winning diversity, equity, and inclusion leader with a proven track record in construction association management and driving membership growth.
Perry, a results-driven leader with over 17 years of association experience, is the new executive director at AEC Unites and is tasked with bringing the vision for the association to life by driving equity and inclusion for Black talent and Black-owned businesses in the architecture, engineering, and construction community.
Prior to AEC Unites, Perry led the inclusion, diversity, and equity initiatives as Director at Associated Builders and Contractors, providing consultative support and leadership to ABC’s chapters and member companies.
Perry began her association career in 2015 with the Transportation Intermediaries Association. During her nine-year tenure, Perry developed and managed all aspects of the sales and membership efforts, affinity programs, and member services, including non-dues revenue. The Maryland Minority Contractors Association recently recognized her award-winning passion and success through its Professional Commitment Award and by the American Society of Association Executives as a Diversity Executive Leadership Program Scholar.
During her free time, Perry is an enthusiastic mentor, volunteer, and training partner in support of skilled trades education with the D.C. Construction Trades Foundation and is a youth basketball coach.
Perry resides in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with her husband and two children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Old Dominion University and recently completed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate program at the University of South Florida. Perry is also a certified Unconscious Bias trainer through FranklinCovey.