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Sylvia Smith, FAIA, LEED AP, is a Senior Partner at FXCollaborative, a New York City-based architecture, interiors, and planning design firm. She formed the firm’s Cultural/Educational Studio and has directed award-winning program-intensive projects including the Center for Media, Film, and Theatre at SUNY Purchase, the David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center, the Columbia University Business School, the Juilliard School expansion and Alice Tully Hall renovation at Lincoln Center, the Center for Global Conservation at the Bronx Zoo, and the Statue of Liberty Museum. Sylvia is currently Partner-in-Charge for the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the Pace University Performing and Creative Arts Center.

Sylvia actively shares her knowledge and design passion as a speaker, jurist, teacher, and mentor. She has served on boards and committees of numerous cultural, educational, and professional organizations including Dickinson College, UVa School of Architecture Dean’s Advisory Board, the Design Trust for Public Space, Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, the Yestermorrow Design Build School, and the Storefront for Art & Architecture. Sylvia’s honors include the BWAF Pillar Award, the AIA New York State Fellow’s Award, the 2014 Kea Distinguished Visiting Professorship at the University of Maryland, the Bernard Baruch Medal for Business and Civic Leadership, and the Girl Scouts of Greater New York Woman of Distinction Award. Sylvia graduated from Dickinson College where she established the Sylvia J. Smith Visiting Artists Fund. She holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia School of Architecture.

Emily Williams is a registered architect and planner at Bialosky Cleveland who shapes public space and works with local leaders to transform sites into valued community assets. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kent State University with a Master of Architecture & Urban Design. As a dual-disciplined practitioner, Emily contributes to master plans, community-focused projects, and mixed-use developments such as Van Aken District, Crocker Commons, and Cleveland Public Library’s Facility Master Plan, which laid the framework for the for the institution’s strategic growth across their 27 branches over the next decade. The master plan has earned widespread acclaim, including APA Ohio’s Best Planning Project of the Year and an Honorable Mention from AIA Ohio.

She has since developed strategic master plans and assessments for both public and private clients including Cleveland Metroparks, Beaumont School, Laurel School, and Cass District Library for phased developments and community investments. Emily is a servant-leader entering the role of Co-Director of the Young Architects and Associate Members of AIA Cleveland. She has uplifted the chapter with essential programming for early professionals to support their licensure and career development. She has volunteered and fundraised for many nonprofits including Berea Animal Shelter, Cleveland Kid’s Book Bank, and St. Clair’s Design [Re]build.

Timothy Hawk, FAIA, is President of WSA, in Columbus, Ohio, where he leads projects that advance organizational missions. His work has been widely recognized for success in the adaptation of existing structures, workplace innovation, and projects that strengthen community. WSA has earned national, regional, and local design awards under his thirty-year leadership.

Tim currently serves as the 2022-2023 Treasurer on the AIA national board and has served nationally on the AIA Strategic Council and as chair of the Interior Architecture Committee advisory group. Locally, he has served as President of AIA Columbus and a member of the AIA Ohio board. As an AIA leader and innovative practitioner, Tim has increased design awareness and advanced knowledge exchange among architects and allied professionals through improved digital access, collaborative models, and educational programming. He was elevated to AIA Fellowship in 2014.

Tim has served as the president of the Knowlton School of Architecture Alumni Society and is a founding member of the board of the Columbus Center for Architecture and Design. He continues to be a lecturer at the Knowlton School and an Adjunct Professor at Columbus State Community College.

As Director of Operations for DS Architecture, Justin Gleason encourages collaboration between Project Managers and oversees the production of all projects within the office to ensure they are meeting budget and schedule requirements. He does this by leading the firm’s weekly Operations meeting, tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) across the firm, and projecting backlog. On a day-to-day basis, while acting as Project Manager, Justin runs projects with enthusiasm and close attention to detail. He leads with technical precision while diligently keeping projects on schedule and within budget. Recently, Justin has been managing projects primarily in the Healthcare and Public Safety market sectors.

Justin is an active member of the AIA Cleveland chapter. He served a two-year term on the AIA Cleveland Board of Directors as the KSU CAED Liaison, and then as Co-Director of the Young Architects and Associate Members (YAAM). In 2020, Justin received the Outstanding New Professional Award from the KSU Alumni Association.

Judson Kline is President of CIVITAD Services, LLC assisting economic development professionals in implementing projects and programs. Previously, a partner and Vice President with Herschman Architects for 36 years, he is an Adjunct Professor and lecturer in the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design. Judson holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Miami University, Ohio with additional studies at the Architecture Association of the Royal Institute of British Architects and Case Western Reserve University Masters of Engineering Program. He is a councilman in Orange Village, Ohio, serving on the Planning Commission/ Design Review Board and chairing the Orange Sustainable Building Committee in leading the “Orange Goes Green Certification Program” for construction of residential, commercial and site development. He was AIA Cleveland and Ohio President, member of the AIA’s Diversity Council, serves on the Center for Civic Leadership committee, and the AIA’s K-12 Education Committee. He received the AIA Ohio Public Service Award in 2009 and is an AIA Fellow serving as Regional Representative for the Ohio Valley, 2016 ACE Mentor of the Year, and 2022 inductee into the Beachwood High School Gallery of Success.

Ty Juan is an architectural associate that has been in the profession for 5 years and works at ThenDesign Architecture. He is currently working towards licensure and is looking forward to growing within this industry. Ty Juan has received his Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Design Dual Degree from Kent State’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design in 2021. He also received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2019 from Kent State. He is a commissioner for the City of Euclid’s Planning and Zoning Commission. He is a member of the Young Associates & Architects (YAAM) Committee of AIA Cleveland and an Associate AIA member. Ty Juan is a mentor of students at his alma mater, John Hay Architecture and Design High School, through the ACE mentorship program. As an alumni of the ACE program, being given the opportunity to mentor students to pursue architecture as a profession is very enriching.

Kim Yao, FAIA, is Principal of Architecture Research Office (ARO), a New York City firm united by their collaborative process, commitment to accountable action, and social and environmental responsibility. ARO's diverse body of work has earned the firm over a hundred design awards including the 2020 National AIA Architecture Firm Award. She is a lecturer at MIT and has taught at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, the School of Constructed Environments, Parsons the New School for Design, and Barnard College (2001-2011). She has lectured throughout the United States and abroad. Kim has been awarded the AIA New York (AIANY) Medal of Honor and the Beverly Willis Foundation Mentorship Award. She was President of AIANY in 2020 and serves on the Board of the Center for Architecture. She holds an undergraduate degree in architecture from Columbia College: Columbia University and a Master of Architecture from Princeton University.

Josh Gonsalves is a Project Architect with Vocon’s Cleveland office. After graduating from The University of Miami (FL) School of Architecture, his professional experience has included residential, corporate, and retail project work. Growing up in a military family allowed Josh the opportunity to call many exciting places home – from Japan to Panama to Virginia. That trend continued as he moved to Miami, FL for school; followed by 6 years in New York City and now based out of Lakewood, OH. Sprinkle in a healthy appetite for recreational travel and you have a person with a wide range of experiences to draw from. This permeates into every aspect of his professional work, from how he approaches a design problem to how he relates to coworkers and clients. Josh is passionate about creating experiences that inspire, challenge, and improve the world around us. As a WELL AP, wellness has become a recent focus to create value and improve the way we all live and move through life.

Bill Ayars has enjoyed a successful architectural career focused predominantly in healthcare design. In 2001, Ayars co-founded Perspectus with the vision to build an architectural design firm focused on design excellence and service. Today, Perspectus is a full-service planning and design firm delivering creative solutions across multiple market sectors. Throughout his career, Ayars received professional recognition, both through his elevation to the Council of Fellows for the American College of Healthcare Architects and his 2021 elevation to the AIA College of Fellows. Following his retirement in August 2022, Ayars remains engaged with Perspectus in an advisory role.

Megan is a Project Architect who is a devoted advocate of sustainable design and construction practices. She is an integral member of the Perspectus team with experience in planning and design for a broad range of clients, including dialysis care facilities and clinical laboratories. As a WELL AP® Accredited Professional, she utilizes a people-focused approach, advancing health and wellness through design.

Megan is an active member of the AIA Cleveland chapter. She served two consecutive terms on the AIA Cleveland Board of Directors as Director of the Young Architects and Associate Members (YAAM) and Co-Chair of Programming. She also previously served as the Co-Chair of the Committee on the Environment. Within the office, Megan champions the onboarding of new staff members and has led the Perspectus CANstruction team since 2016.

Jonathan Barnes, a Columbus, Ohio native, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Design from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a Master in Architecture II from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Mr. Barnes previously practiced with the Chicago office of Skidmore Owings & Merrill, one of the world’s largest and best-known international architecture firms, working with design partners Bruce Graham and Adrian Smith. There, Mr. Barnes’ technical and design talents were applied to both new construction and renovation projects in New York, Washington, San Francisco and London, England.

In 1990, Barnes emigrated to Milan, Italy, to work with the acclaimed Italian architect and designer, Michele De Lucchi, on numerous projects throughout Europe. These works included architecture and interior design as well as product, exhibit and graphic design. In the most notable project, these various design disciplines were combined to create Deutsche Bank’s new branch bank system for its 1,200 retail locations throughout Germany.

In 1993, Jonathan Barnes returned to Columbus and formed Jonathan Barnes Architecture and Design, a design-focused, multi-disciplinary practice conceived as an extension of his practice in Europe. As Managing and Design Principal with JBAD, Mr. Barnes has led design teams in architecture, planning and interiors projects for over twenty years with award-winning results. The firm was honored with the AIA Ohio Firm Gold Medal Award in 2015. In 2018, Jonathan was inducted into the College of Fellows of the AIA, an honor bestowed on only 1% of AIA Architects. His command of the design and construction process and his focus on client relationships produce highly innovative designs and cost-balanced, successful projects. Mr. Barnes is LEEP AP accredited and a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Accreditation Boards.

His professional experience includes a wide range of project types and sizes with a focus on urban mixed use and infill projects. His Brunson Lofts project received the 2007 American Architecture Award and the Whitehall Library was awarded the national AIA Library Award in 2016.

Mr. Barnes maintains local and national leadership roles in both the American Institute of Architects and The Urban Land Institute as a founding member of the ULI Columbus District Council. His projects and writing have been published in various print and online publications, including Urban Land Magazine, Architect Magazine online, and Design Bureau online.

Josh Myers, Assoc. AIA is a Cleveland-based designer at Bostwick Design Partnership and an adjunct faculty member at the Kent State College of Architecture and Environmental Design. He graduated from the Kent State College of Architecture and Environmental Design with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture before graduating with a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Yanitza Brongers- Marrero, FAIA, NOMA, LEED BD+C and LEED for Homes, grew up in Puerto Rico and attended the University of Puerto Rico for a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design. In 1996 she graduated from the Knowlton School of Architecture with a master’s degree in Architecture. Yanitza has practiced architecture for 25 years. 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.

In 2019, Yanitza served as the first Hispanic president and fourth female president of AIA Columbus! Today, she is a member of the AIA National Strategic Council and a member of the AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community where she speaks on issues of housing, architectural practice, climate change and social justice. In 2021, Yanitza was part of the Columbus CEO, Future 50 Leaders, where members convened to create projects that make Columbus the best place to live.

Yanitza believes that architects play a critical role creating livable cities through thoughtful conversation, collaborations, and design. In addition to be an architect, Yanitza enjoys living life in Columbus with her husband and two teenage sons and visiting family abroad in Puerto Rico and the Netherlands.

Jill Christoff, NCIDQ, IIDA, Assoc. AIA leads as a Senior Associate and Senior Designer of Bialosky Cleveland. Trained in both architecture (M. Arch, University of Notre Dame) and interior design (B. Arts in Interior Design, Kent State University), she is a multidisciplinary practitioner who thrives as an engaged project manager and a thoughtful designer. She has worked on a variety of project types including Multi-family housing, Single-Family residential, Higher Education, and Civic Buildings to name a few. Notable projects include The Tappan, Van Aken District, Shaker Heights Public Library, and Kent State’s Taylor Hall renovation. Her work is exhibited through the national online catalogue, SAY IT LOUD, accompanied by a physical traveling exhibit of prominent female and BIPOC designers. Jill instructed interior design studios at Kent State University and continues to inspire students as a mentor and design juror at her alma mater. She currently serves on the Shaker Square & Ludlow Historic Districts Design Review Committee. In 2014, she was named to the Top 25 Under 35 professionals by the Cleveland Professional’s 20/30 Club. In 2013, Jill was honored with the Emerging Professional Award from AIA Cleveland, recognizing her talent, volunteerism, and design excellence early in her career.

Bruce Sekanick, FAIA, OAA is a senior member of the Phillips Sekanick Architects | PSA Architecture leadership team. With more than 35 years of experience, Bruce provides an extensive background in business operations, building design, and code compliance. A graduate of the Kent State University CAED with degrees in Architecture and a Certificate in Urban Studies and Planning, Bruce’s experience spans a range of building and project types. He is registered in 22 states and Ontario, Canada.

Bruce has developed an extensive resume of AIA participation and engagement. A long-time member of AIA Youngstown, Bruce has served in a variety of roles, currently holding the position of president-elect. He is a board member and past president of AIA Ohio and has participated in a wide range of committees and task groups. He is currently the president of the AIA Ohio Foundation. Nationally, Bruce is a past member of the AIA National Board of Directors and the Strategic Council. He served the organization as Institute Secretary in 2017 and 2018 and was a candidate for First Vice President/President-elect in 2019. Bruce participated on a variety of committees including his role as Chair of the AIA Strategic Planning Committee and Chair of the ArchiPAC Steering Committee. Most recently, Bruce served as a member of the College of Fellows Nominating Committee.

In addition to his work within the AIA, Bruce serves on a wide variety of community boards and organizations. For over years, Bruce also served in the role of Master Plans Examiner for the Ohio Board of Building Standards. Bruce is also principal/board secretary of Axiom Architects, LLC in Youngstown.

Gwendolyn Frank, AIA, is a Project Architect with Perspectus Architecture and a Kent State University graduate. Her professional experience includes a variety of project types, including healthcare, with a range of clients. In addition to her design work, she is an advocate for the development of emerging professionals. This dedication to upcoming generations started in school with multiple graduate teaching assistant positions and has continued into her current role as the AIA Ohio Associate Director on the AIA Ohio Board. Some initiatives while in this role include helping establish the Early Professional Friendly Firm Program in Ohio and establishing quarterly meetings that bring together early professional leaders from across the state.

Since embarking on her professional path, she considers herself lucky to have worked with many talented individuals both inside and outside of the architectural field, ranging from students to seasoned veterans. These experiences have provided an invaluable frame of reference when breaking down complex design scenarios. One of her most memorable experiences was an opportunity to intern in the facilities management department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. In that role, Gwendolyn developed a deep understanding of this hidden architectural gem and all the people needed to keep it functional.

Gwendolyn’s organized style and attention to detail propels her to find the best solutions for any project. This is illustrated through her contributions to the AIA Cleveland’s Design Awards Committee since 2019. The success of this annual event is dependent on numerous components coming together for an occasion that facilitates an atmosphere of comradery and celebrates the architectural community. This intersection of big picture planning, layering of details and engaging with passionate designers to accomplish an impressive result motivates her to continue building a support framework for future generations of architects and in turn a better world for all.

Roberto de Leon is a partner and co-founder of de Leon & Primmer Architecture Workshop (DPAW), a collaborative design studio focusing on public projects with a cultural, civic or not-for-profit basis. His work is recognized for its contextual sensitivity, innovation in material applications, and the holistic integration of sustainable strategies rooted in regional specificity. His research operates at a range of scales and environments - both urban & rural – while exploring relationships between local & global building traditions. Roberto holds a Master In Architecture from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts In Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley.

DPAW’s working methodology draws inspiration from regional traditions of craft and fabrication, placing an emphasis on the potential of conventional materials and construction methods. Through an immersive process of research & investigation, the studio cultivates an understanding of contextual specificity as a nuanced relationship between place, time and local culture. In implementing this approach, the Workshop purposefully embraces a design rigor aimed at simplicity and precision, with the underlying premise that innovation necessarily equals economy.

Since its founding in 2003, the strength of the firm’s work has been recognized through many honors and awards, including selection for the 2010 Design Vanguard by Architectural Record and the 2011 Emerging Voices by the Architectural League of New York, each honor ‘recognizing design firms or individuals with a distinct design voice that has the potential to influence the discipline of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design’. The studio has garnered tthree national American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Awards, twenty-three AIA Chapter Awards and over thirty international design awards. Roberto’s work through DPAW has been published in many design magazines and books nationally and abroad, and has been exhibited at several international venues including the 2021 Venice Biennale, the 2012 & 2014 Istanbul Design Biennial, the 2011 Beijing International Design Triennial, and WOOD 2010 in Smaland, Sweden.

In 2016, Roberto was elevated to The College of Fellows of The American Institute of ArchitectsDescription text goes here

Jonathan Bonezzi, Assoc. AIA is an Architectural Designer at Bowen+, a committee member of the Cleveland Landmarks Commission and researcher of architectural theory. He is a recent graduate from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University, where he received numerous accolades including AIA Ohio’s 2020 student design award. His academic and professional interests demonstrate an inclination to find elegant solutions to complex architectural problems across various methodologies and strategies of design. Beyond the practical realities of the discipline, he has collaborated and contributed to museum exhibitions, set designs and academic papers.  As a designer Jonathan feels the need to consistently explore new ideas, seek new modes of operation and discover new avenues for design.

Douglas served as Dean of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University from 2010 until 2016, bringing a wealth of experience as an award-winning architect and as a national and global leader in the development of professional standards in architecture.  Among his many contributions to the field are service as National President of the American Institute of Architects in 2005, President of the National Architectural Accrediting Board in 2009, and Co-Director and Secretary of the Professional Practice Commission of the International Union of Architects from 2008-2011.

Doug Steidl served as a Lieutenant in the Naval Civil Engineer Corps, as an elder in the Presbyterian Church USA as Chair of the Hale Farm and Village Standing Committee and Vice President of the Western Reserve Historical Society, among other civic contributions. 

A founding principal of Braun & Steidl Architects, his firm produced designs for educational, recreational, faith based, corporate and hospitality entities in 32 states and Canada. Douglas L Steidl has been globally recognized for his contributions to the architecture profession, by being named a Fellow in the AIA and an Honorary Member or Honorary Fellow in the architectural associations of Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan and Korea.

Hallie is an Associate Principal at Bialosky and the first nontraditional practitioner to hold the title. Formally trained in architecture, she is living out her purpose as the architect whisperer. As Director of Strategy, Hallie contributes and advises on many dimensions of the practice including business development, marketing, strategic planning, HR, brand identity, firm culture, policies, and programs. Hallie guided a rebrand that earned the National Award of Excellence from SMPS. She helped author the firm’s mission, values, and vision, which she featured in her guest article for MARKETER magazine.

Hallie has been a trusted advisor to many of AIA Cleveland's recent presidents, earning her two Presidential Citations. In 2018, she was named to the Top 25 Under 35 Young Professionals in Cleveland. She was honored in 2020 with an inaugural AIA Ohio Emerging Professional award, which cited her voice as a nontraditional practitioner and her work towards achieving an equitable profession. In 2021, she completed her term as an Executive Officer and Secretary of AIA Cleveland.

She is a reoccurring juror of student work at her alma mater, Kent State University. She has presented on the topics of equity and alternative careers at design schools and architecture conferences, including the 2019 National Women's Leadership Summit.

Don Horn, FAIA, is a leader in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of buildings through policy and advocacy within the Federal government. As Deputy Director of GSA’s Office of Federal High-Performance Buildings, Don promotes environmentally responsible decision-making for buildings, and translates green building strategies and ideals into practical solutions to meet federal goals for new construction, repair and alteration, facility management, and leasing.

His professional service includes leadership roles with ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings, and present or former advisory roles in three of the primary high-performance building certification organizations in the U.S. – the U.S. Green Building Council, the Green Building Initiative, and the International Living Future Institute.

Don has over 29 years of experience with GSA in both sustainable design and historic preservation. Prior to GSA, he worked for private sector architecture firms in Virginia. He holds a Master of Architecture degree from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia. He was elevated to Fellow in 2015.

Angela Miklich is a Program Manager for the U.S. General Services Administration's office of Project Delivery in the six-state Great Lakes Region. In this role, she leads a team of Project Managers and manages a multi-billion dollar Capital Project Program that includes a portfolio of projects in U.S. Courthouses, Federal Office Buildings, and Border Stations. She is a versatile design and construction professional who has managed governmental projects across the Midwest.

Angela served as Associate Member Director on the AIA Cleveland Board of Directors from 2013 to 2015. She is a graduate of Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design where she received both her Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Masters of Architecture.

A champion in non-traditional career paths, Angela takes great pride in a public sector vocation. She is enthusiastic about making public sector processes understandable for external stakeholders and encouraging emerging professionals to consider how architectural skillsets apply across a wide array of industries.

Andrew Wells, FAIA is co-founder of Dake Wells Architecture, a design-centered practice of architecture, interiors, planning, and graphics, with an emphasis on progressive and sustainable design solutions. Founded in 2004 with Brandon Dake, FAIA, the practice has grown to include offices in Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri serving a variety of community minded public and private clients. Brandon and Andrew share a common vision to build a practice where a passion for design excellence forms the foundation of a collaborative design studio. Growing up in rural Missouri meant Brandon and Andrew could relate to the common public misconception that designed solutions are expensive or frivolous. Instead, they believe design is not only appropriate, but essential to our quality of life. It is rooted in thorough analysis, rigorous investigation, and meticulous execution that is achieved through diligence and commitment to the cause.

Andrew received a Bachelor of Architecture from Hammons School of Architecture at Drury University. His work for educational, commercial and cultural clients has been widely recognized for design excellence by the American Institute of Architects, The Chicago Athenaeum, The Chronicle for Higher Education, Interior Design Magazine, Contract Magazine and numerous other digital and print media outlets. In addition, he has served as an adjunct professor at the Hammons School of Architecture teaching upper level design studios, and as visiting critic at University of Arkansas,

University of Nebraska, Kansas University, and Keene State College, to name a few. In 2012, Andrew was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows for his contributions to the profession through design and education.

Julian began his undergraduate studies at John Carroll University where he pursued Engineering Physics. During his time at John Carroll he was also enrolled in architecture classes at Case Western University, where he realized his true passion for architecture. Julian earned his undergraduate studies at Kent State University (KSU) where he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Architectural and Environmental Design (2018). He continued his graduate studies at KSU where he earned a Master of Architecture. His grad school experience included a semester in Florence, Italy through the Study Abroad Program and a partial semester in Beirut, Lebanon through the traveling Index Studio. In Beirut, he conducted research and proposed new design strategies for a stronger connection regarding the pollution and barrier of the River Nahr.

Julian also earned a Master of Urban Design. His capstone project enabled him to pursue his personal interest in integrating autonomous vehicles with architecture and the built environment. Julian's research mended urban design strategies through 'adaptable' autonomous vehicle connections to the existing context in Harlem, New York.

He is the recipient of the AIA Student Design Award, Master of Urban Design Project Award and the Association of Licensed Architects (ALA) Graduate Student Merit Award, which recognizes an architectural student who has exhibited exemplary achievement throughout their graduate program. Julian is currently an Associate Member of the AIA and is working as a Studio Designer for Robert Maschke Architects, located in Cleveland, Ohio, a position he obtained during his graduate program.

An award-winning designer with forty years' experience, Ruth Gless, FAIA spent the early part of her career as an artist, a classroom teacher, and member of two internationally recognized architectural firms. She was twenty years the managing principal of Lincoln Street Studio in Columbus OH. She was elevated to Fellow in 2016.

Currently, she is an architect who paints, having recently had a solo show at the Ohio State University Faculty Club, and a work accepted for the Butler Institute of American Arts 83rd National Mid-year Show. As an architect and a painter, she celebrates urban space, because she believes that even the smallest village, rural location, or ruin can be urban. Grain elevators and old mills hold a particular fascination. They are the skyscrapers of small towns; they integrate into the fabric of the town; they hug the train tracks; and they and their dependencies make place. She also studies chairs. A particular fascination for architects, chairs represent the intersections between design and human use. The possibilities for design seems infinite, yet are restricted by the necessity of a human sitting. Recently she investigates collage in exploration of composition, color, and figure-ground relationships in space.

As Director of Design at DS Architecture, and President Elect of the Akron Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Eric is passionately dedicated to architectural design excellence. Eric began his career in architecture with a background in the studio arts and a passion for the creative process of making. His contagious enthusiasm for the architectural design process is the fuel that ignites the creative culture at DS Architecture. In the past year alone, DS Architecture's work has been recognized by The Cleveland Restoration Society, AIA Akron, and Heritage Ohio, and has been featured in Properties Magazine and Crain's Cleveland Business.

Eric was recently recognized by Crain's Cleveland Business as a 40-under-Forty honoree. Additionally he was selected as a Cleveland Professional Twenty-Thirty Club top 25 under Thirty-five "Mover and Shaker", and was presented with the Emerging Professional Award from the Akron Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Elizabeth Murphy, FAIA is an accomplished architect dedicated solely to preservation and restoration technology and design. She consults with building owners and other architects regarding state and federal rehabilitation tax credits, design related to old or historic structures, detailed restoration specifications, historic interiors, and design guidelines for historic urban centers.

Elizabeth is the 2012 recipient of the AIA Ohio Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed on an individual architect. She is the past chair of the Advisory Group for the American Institute of Architects National Committee on Historic Resources and a Professional Peer for the GSA Design Excellence and First Impressions Programs. She has served on several design awards juries and is past president of AIA Ohio.

Nicole Davis, AIA is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design where she received both her Bachelors of Fine Arts and Architectural Master Degree. She earned her architectural license in 2018 after gaining experience in several large markets where she worked on multifamily mixed use commercial and other various project types. In 2019, Nicole took a change and started her own architecture firm, NRDesign LLC, a full service firm focused on historic adaptive reuse, multifamily developments and single family design. Nicole’s passion is for adaptive reuse projects where she is inspired by the beauty in older architecture. She likes that by giving a building a second chance, history and pieces of our culture can be saved while at the same time helping to revitalize the neighborhoods these buildings are in.

Ron's commitment to design excellence is evident in all his undertakings. His work has been recognized by his peers with multiple design awards from the American Institute of Architects and the International Interior Design Association. He was elected to the College of Fellows for distinctive contributions in the field of design. His innovative uses of materials and his ability to bring dignity and elegance to projects of relatively modest means has been the hallmark of his career.

Ron works diligently to cultivate and promote design excellence within the profession. He is a frequent guest lecturer and serves on Kent State University's Advisory Board for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design. He's considered a mentor to many emerging and seasoned designers within the firm.

Born in Tokyo, Utako has spent time in several cities and countries throughout her life. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto in Canada where she received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering (2006), Bachelor of Arts Honours in Architectural Studies (2009) and a Master of Architecture (2013). Throughout graduate school she held a variety of internships from Tokyo to Boston. Through an internship with a professor at the University of Toronto, Utako was part of a team that won a Progressive Architecture Citation Award for their work on an ecotourism proposal for the Ministry of Tourism in Jordan. Most recently, Utako served as the Project Architect at DLR Group for the Samson Pavilion which was designed by the London based practice Foster + Partners.