Ellen Bensky
CEO/CFO
Turner Fleischer
Ellen Bensky is a transformative leader at Turner Fleischer, guiding the Toronto-based firm’s growth into a dynamic Studio specializing in Architecture, Interior Design, and Experiential Graphic Design. Her unique 34-year journey as a non-architect to becoming Principal, CEO, and CFO is a testament to her exceptional leadership and vision. Her innovative approach has redefined the traditional business model of the industry, emphasizing that operational teams are the foundation of a successful AEC practice rather than an overhead burden, allowing designers to focus on design. She has strengthened the Studio’s technological capabilities by developing a Digital Practice team with deep expertise, integrating advanced tools and systems to digitize both the practice and their projects.
She is dedicated to driving social change, embedding a culture of community engagement within the studio. Weaving social impact into the fabric of the studio’s culture, she empowers Studio members to give back to the communities they live and build in, in meaningful ways. Ellen is deeply passionate about education and lifelong learning. She established TF Academy to support continuous growth and development for all studio members. Her unwavering dedication to sharing knowledge and lessons learned inspires her to speak globally and challenge the industry’s status quo.
She is dedicated to driving social change, embedding a culture of community engagement within the studio. Weaving social impact into the fabric of the studio’s culture, she empowers Studio members to give back to the communities they live and build in, in meaningful ways. Ellen is deeply passionate about education and lifelong learning. She established TF Academy to support continuous growth and development for all studio members. Her unwavering dedication to sharing knowledge and lessons learned inspires her to speak globally and challenge the industry’s status quo.
Adam Haddow
Australian Institute of Architects
Antoine Habellion
Technical Director
ROCKWOOL
Antoine serves as the Technical Director of ROCKWOOL North America, overseeing the Building Science, Sustainability and Technical Services departments. With over a decade of experience designing building enclosures, he specializes in analyzing the thermal, hygrothermal, fire and acoustic performance of building assemblies.
As a building science professional, his clientele includes predominantly architects, engineers, design consultants and general contractors. Prior to relocating to North America, Antoine worked as a Building Science Engineer in Paris, France.
As a building science professional, his clientele includes predominantly architects, engineers, design consultants and general contractors. Prior to relocating to North America, Antoine worked as a Building Science Engineer in Paris, France.
Ali Al-Janabi
Building Science Manager
ROCKWOOL
Ali Al-Janabi is the Building Science Manager at ROCKWOOL. Before stepping into his current role, Ali spent four years as a Building Science Specialist, where he supported the development of building solutions through the strategic application of mineral wool insulation. His expertise has been instrumental in guiding architects, engineers, and contractors to understand and apply complex building science concepts effectively.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Malaysia and a Master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Manitoba, Canada, Ali combines strong academic foundations with hands-on industry experience to support professionals across the field.
Ali's technical contributions have been honored with the Joseph S. Zajchowski, CSI, CCS Technical Excellence Award from the Northeast Region of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI).
With a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Malaysia and a Master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Manitoba, Canada, Ali combines strong academic foundations with hands-on industry experience to support professionals across the field.
Ali's technical contributions have been honored with the Joseph S. Zajchowski, CSI, CCS Technical Excellence Award from the Northeast Region of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI).
Todd Kimmel
US Senior Manager - Sustainable Solutions
ROCKWOOL
Todd has over 20 years of experience working on façade systems and the building enclosure, holding technical and business development leadership positions for multiple leading product manufacturers. He is a certified passive house designer and currently sits on the board of directors for New York Passive House (NYPH). Todd was part of the working group to develop the AAMA 509 testing standard for drained and back ventilated rainscreen
Pauline Thimm
DIALOG
Denise Alvera
Architectural Specification Manager
ROCKWOOL
Denise is an Architectural Manager for ROCKWOOL North America, and has a comprehensive understanding of architectural systems and insulation applications, particularly in the context of building envelopes. She is a current member and sponsor of CSI Chicago Chapter and volunteer on the Partnering Committee.
Alejandra Nieto
Sustainability Manager
ROCKWOOL
Alejandra's role at ROCKWOOL as Sustainability Manager is defining and implementing sustainability strategy and initiatives, ensuring the development of high-performance stone wool insulation products with the lowest embodied footprint.. Her role includes managing the sustainability profile of ROCKWOOL products through certifications and listings, keeping to date with policy and regulatory work on the topic of life cycle assessment and decarbonization, and working with industry leaders to drive the use of low carbon sustainable products.
Alex Pitkin
Andrew McKinley
Chief Executive Officer
VIA Design Architects, P.C.
Andrew McKinley, AIA, LEED AP is Chief Executive Officer of VIA design architects, pc, He is a Virginia Tech alumnus who joined the firm in 2014 with years of experience already under his belt. On January 1, 2017, he became an owner and Vice President of the firm, and on January 1, 2025, he assumed joint ownership and transitioned into his current role of Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Andrew fosters a diverse and inclusive team, encouraging employees to explore their unique talents, design solutions for successful project outcomes, and contribute to the firm's annual strategic plan.
Andrew’s guiding mission as an architect is to design highly functional, sustainable, affordable buildings. As Co-Chair of the AIA Virginia Committee on the Environment (COTE), he actively promotes sustainable design practices, believing it can be achieved without compromising affordability or quality. He incorporates energy-efficient design into his projects through early-stage modeling and post-construction analysis, ensuring predicted energy performance aligns with actual outcomes. Andrew leads VIA's sustainability efforts, including the firm's participation in the AIA 2030 Challenge.
His passion for art, building, and fabrication deeply influences his design approach. He brings an intentional focus to the craft of construction, emphasizing the relationship between how things are built and the resulting aesthetic qualities. He experiments with hand-drawings and sketches, studying the possibilities of space adjacencies and building form before using digital modeling to ensure each design element is resolved and effectively communicated to the contractor.
Andrew's commitment to sustainable, innovative, and collaborative design positions VIA for continued success and leadership in the field.
Andrew’s guiding mission as an architect is to design highly functional, sustainable, affordable buildings. As Co-Chair of the AIA Virginia Committee on the Environment (COTE), he actively promotes sustainable design practices, believing it can be achieved without compromising affordability or quality. He incorporates energy-efficient design into his projects through early-stage modeling and post-construction analysis, ensuring predicted energy performance aligns with actual outcomes. Andrew leads VIA's sustainability efforts, including the firm's participation in the AIA 2030 Challenge.
His passion for art, building, and fabrication deeply influences his design approach. He brings an intentional focus to the craft of construction, emphasizing the relationship between how things are built and the resulting aesthetic qualities. He experiments with hand-drawings and sketches, studying the possibilities of space adjacencies and building form before using digital modeling to ensure each design element is resolved and effectively communicated to the contractor.
Andrew's commitment to sustainable, innovative, and collaborative design positions VIA for continued success and leadership in the field.
Amanda Lowery
Enterprise Account Executive
Sherwin-Williams
Bobby Larson
Practicing from the DLR Group’s Chicago office, Bobby is an architect with a passion for
community. He finds it rewarding to have a role that can physically and tangibly influence the
spaces and places live, work, and play. While specializing in hospitality and workplace
environments, he also champions cutting-edge sustainable solutions and leverages his experience
in mass timber office building design to apply new ideas to hospitality projects. Bobby views
environmentally responsible design as doing more with less; and that the best design overlaps the
three pillars of sustainable design: economic viability, social equity, and environmental
responsibility.
community. He finds it rewarding to have a role that can physically and tangibly influence the
spaces and places live, work, and play. While specializing in hospitality and workplace
environments, he also champions cutting-edge sustainable solutions and leverages his experience
in mass timber office building design to apply new ideas to hospitality projects. Bobby views
environmentally responsible design as doing more with less; and that the best design overlaps the
three pillars of sustainable design: economic viability, social equity, and environmental
responsibility.
Carlos Cerezo Davilla
Director, Head of Sustainability
Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
Carlos is a building science expert and Director of Sustainability for KPF, where he leads the firm’s in-house Performance Simulation team, KPF-EP, closely collaborating with design teams globally. His work focuses on coordinating firm-wide initiatives to minimize the environmental impact of KPF projects and operations through an “evidence based” approach, and developing new computational tools to incorporate carbon, energy, thermal, and daylight modeling in design. Carlos has led the sustainable design for some of KPF’s most ambitious projects, including a carbon neutral ready research campus for HKUST in Guangzhou, one of the first fully electric laboratory buildings in New York City, and climate resilient commercial waterfront district in Boston.
Before joining KPF, Carlos worked as a Research Scientist and Instructor at MIT’s Sustainable Design Lab, collaborating with municipalities including Boston, Lisbon, and Kuwait to model building energy use patterns at an urban scale. Carlos is a licensed architect by the University of Seville (Spain, 2010), having practiced in Spain, Japan, and US. He also holds a Master’s from Harvard University (2013) and PhD from MIT (2017). He has contributed to numerous research publications and has been a guest lecturer at MIT’s Center for Real Estate (MIT CRE) since 2022.
Before joining KPF, Carlos worked as a Research Scientist and Instructor at MIT’s Sustainable Design Lab, collaborating with municipalities including Boston, Lisbon, and Kuwait to model building energy use patterns at an urban scale. Carlos is a licensed architect by the University of Seville (Spain, 2010), having practiced in Spain, Japan, and US. He also holds a Master’s from Harvard University (2013) and PhD from MIT (2017). He has contributed to numerous research publications and has been a guest lecturer at MIT’s Center for Real Estate (MIT CRE) since 2022.
Ryan Critchfield
Associate Principal
Treanor
Sergio Saenz
Rosalie Howell
Design Professional II | Justice Designer
Dewberry Architects, Inc
Rosalie’s academic background is in history and cultural anthropology, which lends a unique outlook on human interactions with the built environment. In her design process, she strives to be multi-optical, body-inclusive, evidence-based, eco-integrative, and community-oriented. She is especially interested in spatial & social justice, trauma-informed design, and practical, down-to-earth solutions to complex issues. She believes in the power of collaboration & building teams with diverse backgrounds & contexts to facilitate design solutions that are well-rounded and effectively accommodate the needs of all stakeholders.
In graduate school she studied the anthropology of architecture and developed an interest in the relationship between domestic violence & the built environment. From there, she pursued a Master’s of Architecture and transferred to the University of Illinois to complete the “Track 3” program, where she focused her studies on weaving the principles of trauma-informed design into projects ranging from residential spaces to healthcare, mixed-used office, academic, and commercial spaces. While at university of Illinois she continued her research on the relationship between domestic violence & the built environment.
Upon graduating with her M.Arch. in 2021, Rosalie’s career path has led her to justice design projects, wherein the need for trauma-informed design is especially relevant – although she will quickly remind anyone that trauma-informed design is applicable in any designed space. She continues her research on the relationship between trauma & the built environment through her project work as well as guest lectures. Bradley University Gender Studies Lecture 2022.
In graduate school she studied the anthropology of architecture and developed an interest in the relationship between domestic violence & the built environment. From there, she pursued a Master’s of Architecture and transferred to the University of Illinois to complete the “Track 3” program, where she focused her studies on weaving the principles of trauma-informed design into projects ranging from residential spaces to healthcare, mixed-used office, academic, and commercial spaces. While at university of Illinois she continued her research on the relationship between domestic violence & the built environment.
Upon graduating with her M.Arch. in 2021, Rosalie’s career path has led her to justice design projects, wherein the need for trauma-informed design is especially relevant – although she will quickly remind anyone that trauma-informed design is applicable in any designed space. She continues her research on the relationship between trauma & the built environment through her project work as well as guest lectures. Bradley University Gender Studies Lecture 2022.
Michael Strogoff
President
Strogoff Consulting, Inc.
Michael Strogoff, FAIA, has advised many of the nation's most successful architecture, landscape architecture, design and engineering firms in ownership transitions, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning and leadership development. As a former managing principal of an architecture firm, a frequent speaker on ownership transition issues, and Advisory Group Chair of AIA's Practice Management Knowledge Community, Michael Strogoff, FAIA, brings an in-depth understanding of the architecture industry and of the ownership transitions, mergers and acquisitions landscape. Michael authored the chapter on Ownership Transitions for the 15th edition of AIA’s The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice.
Antonio Holguin
National Market Director
Material Bank
Adam Baacke
Commissioner, Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Andrew Barnett
Hopkins Architectss
Jose Luis Salinas
Rebecca Fletcher
Architect
Goody Clancy
Rebecca Fletcher, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CPHD, is an Architect at Goody Clancy in Boston. She serves as the Rhode Island representative on the AIA Strategic Council (2025-2027) and on several AIAri member committees and supports licensure candidates as an Architect Licensing Advisor. Rebecca attended the University of Oregon, graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Historic Preservation. Prior to joining Goody Clancy, she practiced at Vision 3 Architects in Providence.
Hercend Mpidi Bita
Timber Engineering, Inc.
Hercend is a Principal at Timber Engineering Inc. and an expert in timber engineering and connection
detailing for mass timber buildings, including performance under seismic loads and disproportionate
collapse prevention designs. After completing his Ph.D. in timber engineering, he held a post-doctoral
position at The University of British Columbia (UNBC). Hercend then joined Katerra, where he worked on the
development of novel building components and structural systems for mid-rise and tall mass timber
buildings and large mass timber warehouses and led the design of numerous mass timber industrial,
commercial, institutional, and residential projects in both Canada and U.S. Hercend has numerous
publications in international journals and book chapters, and structural reports on novel structural design
and detailing for mass timber under abnormal and extreme loadings.
detailing for mass timber buildings, including performance under seismic loads and disproportionate
collapse prevention designs. After completing his Ph.D. in timber engineering, he held a post-doctoral
position at The University of British Columbia (UNBC). Hercend then joined Katerra, where he worked on the
development of novel building components and structural systems for mid-rise and tall mass timber
buildings and large mass timber warehouses and led the design of numerous mass timber industrial,
commercial, institutional, and residential projects in both Canada and U.S. Hercend has numerous
publications in international journals and book chapters, and structural reports on novel structural design
and detailing for mass timber under abnormal and extreme loadings.
Emily Miyares
Emily Miyares, AIA is a licensed Architect with 15 years of experience in Higher Education, Residential, Institutional and Hospitality projects. She is currently an Associate at PAYETTE, where she has worked as a Project Architect and Project Manager on Academic Science projects at UConn, Brandeis, Tulane, and Tufts.
A fascination with and affection for people and their everyday lives has been an animating force in Emily’s career, both as a design driver on projects and in her commitment to giving back to the profession. She believes that excellence in Architecture requires an inclusive and engaged community of practitioners, and that mentorship and collaboration are the building blocks of a resilient profession. To that end, she dedicates much of her energy and time to initiatives that aim to expand access to Architectural education and training, including designing and implementing PAYETTE’s high-school internship program beginning in 2020.
A fascination with and affection for people and their everyday lives has been an animating force in Emily’s career, both as a design driver on projects and in her commitment to giving back to the profession. She believes that excellence in Architecture requires an inclusive and engaged community of practitioners, and that mentorship and collaboration are the building blocks of a resilient profession. To that end, she dedicates much of her energy and time to initiatives that aim to expand access to Architectural education and training, including designing and implementing PAYETTE’s high-school internship program beginning in 2020.
John Ochsendorf
Professor
MIT
Kelly Hayes-McAlonie, FAIA, LEED AP
Director of Campus Planning
University of Buffalo
Hafsa Burt
Principal
hb+a Architects
Hafsa Burt is an architect, LEED Fellow, and sustainability expert with over 24 years of experience in architecture, and sustainable design strategist. She is the Founder and Creative Director of hb+a Architects and the visionary behind Box Lab, an initiative focused on zero energy and low carbon building prototypes. She is a LEED Fellow, WELL AP, and a pioneer in integrating Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), low carbon reduction strategies, and life cycle analysis into mainstream architectural practice.
Since 2006, Hafsa has led technical consulting on more projects, ranging from transportation to housing. She has authored performance specifications used by numerous firms to meet LEED and CALGreen mandates and has trained professionals in healthy building design and LEED's Materials and Resources Credits for Embodied Carbon Reduction, including architects, engineers, and municipal reviewers.
Since 2006, Hafsa has led technical consulting on more projects, ranging from transportation to housing. She has authored performance specifications used by numerous firms to meet LEED and CALGreen mandates and has trained professionals in healthy building design and LEED's Materials and Resources Credits for Embodied Carbon Reduction, including architects, engineers, and municipal reviewers.
George Guanci
Market Manager - Fire Protection
Sherwin Williams
George M. Guanci, Market Manager – Fire Protection, possesses over forty years experience in the construction industry. He is experienced and knowledgeable in UL listings and requirements, international fireproofing standards and the development of fireproofing specifications. He is responsible for market management of the Firetex commercial fireproofing product line in North America for Sherwin Williams. George is a member of AIA, CSI, NACE and NFPA. George possesses an M. A. from Northeastern University.
Abigail Ransmeier
Yanitza Brongers Marrero
Partner, Housing Practice Leader
Moody Nolan
Yanitza is a Partner and the Director of Housing for Moody Nolan where she oversees the firm’s housing practice in twelve offices across the Unites States.
As a Director and a Partner for the firm, Yanitza leads a focused housing studio where she is responsible for leadership, management, business development, design quality and talent development. In her role, she has developed a rapidly growing practice that includes affordable and market-rate residential, student housing, independent senior living, and large-scale mixed-use developments.
As a Director and a Partner for the firm, Yanitza leads a focused housing studio where she is responsible for leadership, management, business development, design quality and talent development. In her role, she has developed a rapidly growing practice that includes affordable and market-rate residential, student housing, independent senior living, and large-scale mixed-use developments.
Rosa Sheng
Vice President, Director Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion
SmithGroup
Rosa T. Sheng, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C is a Vice-President at SmithGroup serving multiple roles as Higher Education Studio Leader in Northern California and national Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion. Founder of Equity by Design [EQxD] in 2014, Rosa served as AIA San Francisco President in 2018, the first Asian American Woman to serve in the organization’s 136 year history. Recognized as an industry thought leader, architect, strategist, and advocate, she is known for developing new processes and design solutions with transformational impact in the built environment. When asked "What type of Architecture do you do?" Her answer, “The kind that’s never been done before." This mindset has resulted in a variety of award-winning and internationally acclaimed projects including the aesthetically minimal, highly technical glass structures for Apple’s original high-profile retail stores - revolutionary workplace of the future in the Pixar Animation Studios Steven P. Jobs Building.
Rosa’s most rewarding work to date is focused on design justice - creating equitable and sustainable design outcomes for student belonging and persistence at public higher education institutions in California. These include the award-winning UC Davis Teaching and Learning Complex, SF State Science and Engineering Innovation Center, and the Lorry I. Lokey Graduate School of Business at Mills College / Northeastern, as well as STEM projects for the California State University system and Community Colleges that prepare students for future ready resilience.
Rosa has presented her work both nationally and overseas including "Why Equity Matters for Everyone: A New Value Proposition for Architecture" and in 2020 -The J.E.D.I. Agenda – An Intersectional Approach to Designing a Just Future”. Rosa was honored in by Metropolis as a 2019 Game Changer. She has been featured in Architect Magazine, Architectural Record, The Wall Street Journal, TEDxPhiladelphia, SxSW, KQED/NPR, and the Cannes Lions Festival.
Rosa’s most rewarding work to date is focused on design justice - creating equitable and sustainable design outcomes for student belonging and persistence at public higher education institutions in California. These include the award-winning UC Davis Teaching and Learning Complex, SF State Science and Engineering Innovation Center, and the Lorry I. Lokey Graduate School of Business at Mills College / Northeastern, as well as STEM projects for the California State University system and Community Colleges that prepare students for future ready resilience.
Rosa has presented her work both nationally and overseas including "Why Equity Matters for Everyone: A New Value Proposition for Architecture" and in 2020 -The J.E.D.I. Agenda – An Intersectional Approach to Designing a Just Future”. Rosa was honored in by Metropolis as a 2019 Game Changer. She has been featured in Architect Magazine, Architectural Record, The Wall Street Journal, TEDxPhiladelphia, SxSW, KQED/NPR, and the Cannes Lions Festival.
Erin Andes
Director, Design Outreach
GAF
Erin leads a team of specialists who work with designers to support roof assembly selection and specification/detail review to best meet the project needs. She regularly presents and publishes technical content related to building and roofing science at conferences and training events. Her background includes building enclosure consulting on new construction and enclosure rehabilitation of a range of project types as well as investigation and litigation support services on building enclosure and product failures.
Guanzhou Ji
Carnegie Mellon University
Guanzhou Ji is a board member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) – National Building Performance Advisory Group. His research focuses on indoor photometry, image-based rendering, and physics simulation. Ji is a technical committee member of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), where he contributes to the development of industry standards and guidelines. He received Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University and conducted research at the Illumination and Imaging Laboratory and the School of Architecture. He was awarded the Student and Emerging Professionals Scholarship (2022) by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA)-USA.
Ji has regularly served as an organizer, moderator, and panelist at professional conferences and workshops. He has spoken at the Velux Daylight Academic Forum (2021), the ASHRAE Conferences (2020, 2022, and 2023), and the Radiance Workshop (2024). He serves on the program committee of the International Symposium on Visual Computing (2025). He is a member of the IBPSA Education Committee and IBPSA-USA Project StaSIO (STAndard SImulation Outputs), where he contributes to the development of educational webinars and manages international competitions for professionals and students.
Ji has regularly served as an organizer, moderator, and panelist at professional conferences and workshops. He has spoken at the Velux Daylight Academic Forum (2021), the ASHRAE Conferences (2020, 2022, and 2023), and the Radiance Workshop (2024). He serves on the program committee of the International Symposium on Visual Computing (2025). He is a member of the IBPSA Education Committee and IBPSA-USA Project StaSIO (STAndard SImulation Outputs), where he contributes to the development of educational webinars and manages international competitions for professionals and students.
Marton Kiss
Chief Product Officer
Graphisoft
As Chief Product Officer at GRAPHISOFT, a leading software provider for architects and engineers, Márton oversees the product strategy for Archicad, DDScad, BIMcloud, and BIMx—proven software solutions in the AEC space that have been used to realize millions of buildings worldwide. These tools offer a refined user experience that fosters both creativity and productivity.
Márton’s 15-year journey with GRAPHISOFT began in customer success roles before he transitioned into product leadership. He brings extensive experience in aligning customer needs with advanced technological solutions.
In addition to his role at GRAPHISOFT, Márton has spent over a decade as a guest lecturer at the Technical University of Budapest, teaching Building Information Modeling (BIM) to architecture students. He holds an M.Sc. in Architecture & Engineering and an M.Sc. in IT Management, giving him a strong foundation in both design and technology.
Passionate about leveraging technology and innovation to push the boundaries of architecture and engineering, Márton maintains close relationships with GRAPHISOFT’s global community of users and partners, driving progress toward a better and more sustainable built world.
Márton’s 15-year journey with GRAPHISOFT began in customer success roles before he transitioned into product leadership. He brings extensive experience in aligning customer needs with advanced technological solutions.
In addition to his role at GRAPHISOFT, Márton has spent over a decade as a guest lecturer at the Technical University of Budapest, teaching Building Information Modeling (BIM) to architecture students. He holds an M.Sc. in Architecture & Engineering and an M.Sc. in IT Management, giving him a strong foundation in both design and technology.
Passionate about leveraging technology and innovation to push the boundaries of architecture and engineering, Márton maintains close relationships with GRAPHISOFT’s global community of users and partners, driving progress toward a better and more sustainable built world.
Benjamin Lavery
Director, Real Estate Development
MIT Investment Management Company (MITIMCo)
Dana Moore
Dattner Architects
Bradley LUKANIC
Chief Executive Officer
CannonDesign.com
Brad Lukanic, AIA, is the CEO of CannonDesign, a 1,300-person, 18-office design firm focused on creating impactful solutions for the built environment. The firm, with a 100-year legacy, is currently ranked number 11 for architecture and engineering by World Architecture. The firm’s markets include health, education, science and technology, sports and wellness.
During his nine-year tenure as CEO, he’s led the firm through five acquisitions and two strategic planning processes to position the firm for growth but, more importantly, for greater and diverse impacts to solve our clients’ greatest design challenges. Prior to the CEO role, Brad let the firmwide education practice and had spent his career focused on cultural and learning environments across the globe—from strategic planning, master planning and project implementation for over 50 college campuses and a wide range of community libraries and performing arts projects.
During his nine-year tenure as CEO, he’s led the firm through five acquisitions and two strategic planning processes to position the firm for growth but, more importantly, for greater and diverse impacts to solve our clients’ greatest design challenges. Prior to the CEO role, Brad let the firmwide education practice and had spent his career focused on cultural and learning environments across the globe—from strategic planning, master planning and project implementation for over 50 college campuses and a wide range of community libraries and performing arts projects.
Michael Comer
Vice President
JE Dunn Construction
Brendan Guerin
Founding Principal
Guerin Glass Architects
Brendan Guerin, AIA is a co-founder and a managing principal at Guerin Glass Architects (GGA). Since the firm’s inception in 2004, he has been at the center of the firm’s diverse array of work, from bespoke residences in New York and Aspen to large hospitality projects in Mexico and Hawai’i. Most recently, Brendan is steering several new projects—from marina-focused hotels to a new golf club and residences—at Costa Palmas, a resort community located on the East Cape of Los Cabos.
Prior to forming GGA, Brendan worked at Perkins + Will, serving as a Senior Project Designer for their New York office and leading K-12 and higher education projects along the East Coast. Previously, he worked at Rafael Viñoly Architects, designing for iconic institutions such as the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids and the Watson Institute at Brown University. Brendan received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon.
Prior to forming GGA, Brendan worked at Perkins + Will, serving as a Senior Project Designer for their New York office and leading K-12 and higher education projects along the East Coast. Previously, he worked at Rafael Viñoly Architects, designing for iconic institutions such as the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids and the Watson Institute at Brown University. Brendan received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon.
Rebecca Best
EVP Sustainability
Material Bank
Josh Boehlke
Principal
Architecture by Design, Inc.
Mr. Boehlke is one of two Principals of Architecture by Design. His primary responsibilities are project quality assurance, staff development and the daily operations of the firm. In addition to overseeing these items in the practice, he works with other members of the firm to develop design concepts, schedules, budgets, and procedures. His experience in taking projects from schematic design through construction administration has given him the expertise to manage projects as well as staffing which fulfills the client's needs and expectations within the realities of deadlines and budgets. Mr. Boehlke has had over 14 years of experience with the design and production of residential architecture. He has expertise in low to mid rise residential structures consisting of all types of construction, ranging from wood frame and cast in place concrete structures. He is especially adept in maintaining project scheduling in coordination with client and contractor reviews, along with much experience in the construction administration aspect of these projects. His ability to clearly organize the continuous demands of projects, clients, employees and the miscellaneous duties that are a part of Ownership, sets the firm up for success. Mr. Boehlke is also well versed in code analysis in the International Building Code (IBC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as well as federal and local accessibility requirements such ADA, FHAAG, UFAS.
David Vasquez
Regional Sales Representative
Dave is a seasoned sales professional with over thirty years in the commercial and architectural glass industry. As a sales manager for dormakaba’s Interior Glass Systems Group, he plays a key role in delivering innovative solutions that enhance interior spaces while ensuring functionality and aesthetics. With a background in installation, sales strategy and client relationship management, Dave has built a reputation for understanding customer needs and aligning them with cutting-edge products and services
Rebecca Edmunds
2025 Chair, Advisory Council, AIA Practice Management KC 2024 IAWA Kristine Fallon Research Prize, Author
r4 llc
Rebecca W.E. Edmunds's career spans multiple design disciplines. Today she is a leader in communications and writing for aesthetic and technical performance for architectural firms nationally, teaches writing as a volunteer in academia and to AIA and NOMA chapters, and has served the American Institute of Architects in local, state and national roles. She is the author of three books, Designing Words, on writing for architects, designers and artists, Winning Words, on proposal writing for impact, and Architect + Action = Result, a comprehensive guide to submitting for AIA Fellowship.
Allen Davidson
President
ADD Associates
Allen Davidson is President of ADD Associates, an architectural manufacturer’s representative group in the New England market, specializing in division 8 products. Currently representing Architectural Grilles and Shades, Inc, Clear Motion Glass, Crane Revolving doors Dormakaba, Ellison Bronze Balanced doors, Super Sky Skylites,, Viracon Glass and W&W Engineered glass solutions. A 34- year career in the Glass and glazing industry started in 1990 as an inside sales associate for Crane Revolving door company.