Autodesk Appointed New Head for AEC Division
The software firm has tapped a veteran leader to integrate artificial intelligence into its construction workflows.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you trust that changes in corporate leadership typically result in better outcomes for customers?
Autodesk has named Diana Colella to lead its Architecture, Engineering, and Construction division as current leader Amy Bunszel prepares for her upcoming retirement. Colella, a certified public accountant with nearly 30 years at the company, will oversee efforts to further embed AI into project lifecycle workflows.
Why it matters
This leadership transition signals a pivot toward accelerating the integration of AI tools and cloud connectivity within the AEC space. By pairing long-term internal experience with a focus on desktop-to-cloud workflows, the company aims to modernize the project delivery processes used by construction and design firms.
Diana Colella brings 29 years of tenure to her new role leading the AEC division. Her transition follows the announced retirement of Amy Bunszel, who is stepping down after a long tenure at the software firm.
The players
Diana Colella
A long-time Autodesk executive and certified public accountant who previously led the company's media and entertainment division.
Amy Bunszel
The outgoing leader of the AEC division who is departing the software company after a multi-year tenure.
Autodesk
A global software corporation providing design and engineering solutions for the architecture, construction, and manufacturing sectors.
The details
Colella plans to advance the Autodesk Forma strategy, which focuses on connecting legacy desktop products to unified cloud workflows. Her operational mandate centers on embedding artificial intelligence into the project lifecycle to drive efficiency for AEC operators. She joined the firm via the acquisition of Discreet Logic and previously directed the media and entertainment division.
Timeline
August 2026: Amy Bunszel announced her intention to retire.
November 2, 2026: Amy Bunszel will officially leave the company.
Market Landscape
This leadership change marks a shift in the execution of the Autodesk Forma strategy, which focuses on unifying disparate design and construction software tools. It follows a broader industry trend of major design-software vendors consolidating project data through cloud-based platforms.
Operators currently using Autodesk AEC products should prepare for an increased emphasis on cloud-based workflows and AI-integrated project tools. Review your current software deployment and training schedules to ensure your staff is ready for upcoming updates to the Forma platform.
The takeaway
The appointment of a career internal leader to a core division suggests the company will prioritize continuity while pushing for rapid technical integration. Monitor product roadmaps through November for specific shifts in how desktop and cloud features are bundled for project management.
What happens next
Amy Bunszel will remain in her position through November 2, 2026, to assist with the leadership transition.
Further reading
For more updates on executive changes in the software sector, browse our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine.
Live Poll
Do you trust that changes in corporate leadership typically result in better outcomes for customers?
