Keynotes, Architalks, & more
Hear bold ideas and real-world strategies from some of the biggest names in architecture, design, and beyond—leaders who are defining trends, tackling today’s challenges, and setting the agenda for what’s next in architecture and design.
June 11 keynote: Padma Lakshmi
What Food Knows About Architecture
Padma Lakshmi is an Emmy-nominated producer, television host, food expert, and New York Times bestselling author—named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People (2023). She is the creator and host of the CBS show America’s Culinary Cup and the Emmy-nominated Hulu series Taste the Nation. She also hosted and executive-produced Bravo’s Top Chef for 19 seasons, earning five Emmy nominations. Padma has written several books, including two New York Times best-sellers: Love, Loss and What We Ate and Padma’s All American. She is cofounder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, an ACLU Artist Ambassador, and a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador.
June 12 keynote: Charlene Li
Disruptive Transformation: Leveraging AI for Greater Impact & Innovation
Charlene Li has been helping people see the future for the past three decades. She’s an expert on digital transformation, disruption leadership and strategy, customer experience, and the future of work. She’s the author of six books, including The New York Times bestseller, Open Leadership, and co-author of the critically acclaimed book, Groundswell. Her latest book is Winning with AI: The 90-Day Blueprint for Success. Charlene is also an entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Altimeter, a disruptive analyst firm acquired in 2015. She most recently served as the chief research officer for PA Consulting and currently leads her firm, Quantum Networks Group.
June 13 keynote: Sameh Wahba
Architects as Catalysts for Sustainable Development
Sameh Wahba is an urbanist and sustainable development expert with more than 30 years of global experience. He is the regional practice director for the Europe and Central Asia Planet Department at the World Bank, overseeing a $10 billion portfolio across agriculture, climate change, environment, and water, including lending, technical assistance, and partnerships. Wahba has advised national leaders and mayors in more than 100 countries on urbanization, infrastructure policy, and sustainable development. He has published widely on cities, housing, land, infrastructure, finance, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
June 11 Architalk: Shigeru Ban, Hon. FAIA
Humanity, Sustainability, & The Future of Architecture
Shigeru Ban, Hon. FAIA, is one of the most influential architects of our time, redefining what architecture can—and should—do for society. Known for groundbreaking paper and timber structures and his globally recognized humanitarian work, Ban proves that design can meet urgent human and environmental needs. In this must-see Architalk, he reflects on the ideas, challenges, and global experiences that shaped his practice, offering a powerful perspective on architecture as a tool for resilience, sustainability, and social impact.
June 12 Architalk: Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA, & Roy Decker, FAIA
Design as an Act of Service
Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA, and Roy Decker, FAIA, share a compelling vision of architecture as a civic act rooted in service, humility, and place. Working in rural and resource-limited communities, their work shows how design excellence can be most powerful where it’s least expected. From libraries and schools to justice and civic facilities, they reveal how listening first—and building trust over time—creates lasting public value. This can’t-miss Architalk is an inspiring call to expand architecture’s reach, responsibility, and impact.
Keynote Emcee: Weijia Jiang
Weijia Jiang is CBS News’ senior White House correspondent featured across all CBS News broadcasts and platforms. She has reported extensively on the Trump and Biden administrations, the increased violence against the AAPI community and resulting policy changes, and the 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns and elections. As our keynote emcee, she’ll host the keynote experience, introducing each day’s topics, big ideas, and speakers.
All speakers & instructors
From rising stars to industry leaders, these speakers represent firms and brands in a class of their own.
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