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2023 BSA/AIA Election Results Announced

Board of Directors

1st Vice President/President-Elect

Sam Batchelor AIA
Partner, designLAB architects

Candidate Statement
I am committed to the continued advancement of the BSA as a place for innovative thought-leadership and critical professional discourse. I would leverage the BSA’s ongoing advocacy on matters of the environment, equity, and design, seeking to amplify current programming and create new platforms for discourse that are aimed at advancing our professional mission. As President I will prioritize the BSA’s resources to expand thoughtful programming, support written publications, and enable a range of avenues for Boston’s deep and diverse talent to gather to share ideas and motivate action within the professional community and beyond. The experience of a global pandemic has illuminated the crucial role that the BSA can play as a convener and as a place to gather and share knowledge. The members of the BSA are our greatest asset, and as President I would seek to create venues for them to showcase their knowledge, join their collective voices, and learn from one another.

Biography
Member of BSA since 2006; BSA VP for Membership, 2019-2021; ArchitectureBoston Magazine, Editorial Board 2018-2021; Community Design Resource Center of Boston, Board of Directors, 2012-2015, President, 2015; BSA Flansburgh Award, 2015; BSA Foundation Grant Awardee, 2014; BSA Membership Committee, 2009-2012; UMass Amherst, Adjunct Faculty, 2021; Yestermorrow Design Build School, Instructor, 2021; Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Adjunct Faculty, 2009-2019; Boston Architectural College, Adjunct Faculty, 2005-2009; Roger Williams University, Adjunct Faculty, 2013


Public Director

Lily Song
Assistant Professor of Race and Social Justice in the Built Environment, Northeastern University

Biography
Dr. Lily Song is an urban planner and activist-scholar who specializes in studying and undertaking long-term community-engagement practices. She is an Assistant Professor of Race and Social Justice in the Built Environment at Northeastern University, jointly appointed between the School of Architecture and the School of Public Policy and Urban Planning. Her research and scholarship focus on the relations between urban infrastructure and redevelopment initiatives, socio-spatial inequality, and race, class, and gender politics in American cities and other decolonizing contexts. Her work both analyzes and informs infrastructure-based mobilizations and experiments that center the experiences and insights of historically-marginalized groups as bases for reparative planning and design. Song was previously a Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), where she was Founding Coordinator of Harvard CoDesign, a GSD initiative to strengthen links between design pedagogy, research, practice, and activism. She holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California— Los Angeles, and BA in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley.

Secretary


Katie Faulkner FAIA
Principal, West Work

Candidate Statement
The BSA has been recognized as one of the state’s largest advocacy organizations, and I am tremendously proud of the strategic priorities including decarbonization of the built environment, equity among the AEC professions, community engagement, and design excellence. In recent years I’ve prioritized climate concerns around the construction industry, with a focus on adaptive reuse. Our firm’s research includes materials and processes for Deep Energy Retrofit – a whole building analysis aimed and dramatically improving building energy performance. As a board member, I will advocate for the allocation of BSA resources to address systemic inequity, both locally and globally, and the compounding problems of climate degradation. The BSA has tremendous potential to affect positive change. I would be honored to serve as the BSA Board secretary.

Biography
Katie Faulkner is a founding principal at West Work, an architecture and research office based in Boston, with a mission to deliver sustainable design that is beautiful, contextual, and environmentally responsible. Underpinning all projects is the sentiment that design architecture should be accessible to everyone, regardless of budget. WW endeavors seek to reconcile the ecological and social impacts of planning and construction work, with a net positive outcome. Katie has been engaged for over twenty-five years with spaces and buildings for education, working, living, and healthcare. Before launching West Work, she was a Vice President of Architecture for Katerra, focusing on development of a mid-rise mass timber housing prototype. For nearly a decade prior, she was a founding partner of the firm NADAAA. She has been recognized with notable awards, including the 2014 Holcim Award and an AIA COTE Award. In 2017 she received the Women in Design Award from the Boston Society of Architects. In 2020 she was named to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows.

Katie has led the BSA Honors and Awards Committee, been an active EDI network member, and is a longtime participant and mentor for Women in Design. She has been a guest lecturer and critic at numerous architecture programs and is an adjunct faculty member at Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Professional Affiliations
BSA Member since 2004; EDI Advocacy Committee, 2020; Honors and Awards Committee 2017-2019, BSAFuture Decker Exhibit 2021; BSA Space: Bigger than a Breadbox Exhibit 2015: Catenary Compression: The Tensile Vault; ULI Resiliency Committee 2021- Present; Women’s Development Collaborative Executive Committee 2020 – Present.

Director

Hansy Better Barraza AIA LEED AP
Principal, Studio Luz Architects; Co-Founder, Building Research + Architecture + Community Exchange, Inc; Professor Emerita, Rhode Island School of Design

Candidate Statement
If elected I would make every effort to foster effective communication between the BSA staff, the board of directors and its members. What I bring to the board is a passionate, responsible voice advocating for ways the BSA can address equitable development and environmental justice. If elected, I would also continue advocating for support services to increase the numbers of M/WBE businesses, LGBTQ+ owned businesses, Veteran, small businesses and young entrepreneurs through these challenging times. I plan on contributing to the unique evolving expansion of the BSA’s program and mission with the experience I have gained working with non-profits, universities and professional settings.

Professional Affiliations
BSA/AIA member since 2008; National Organization of Minority Architects Member since 2020;

BSA Women in Design Award 2021; BSA Board of Directors, Secretary, 2012-2014; BSA Exhibit Committee, 2012-2013; Designer Selection Board Member, Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), 2011-2013; Board of Trustees, Boston Architectural College, BSA Representative, 2010-2012; Member of the Rotch Traveling Scholarship Committee, BSA/AIA, 2007-2012; BSA Board of Directors, Commissioner of Education and Research, 2009-2011; BSA Transition Planning Committee, 2008 ;Design Committee Board Member, Roslindale Village Main Street, 2006-2011; Graduate Program Director, Department of Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design, 2014-2017.

Juror for National Organization of Minority Architects International Conference Urban Science Academy, “Design for Justice”, 2015; Juror for the AIA College of Fellows/Young Architects Ideas Program Competition, 2011; Juror for the BSA Atlantic Wharf Design Competition, 2010; Juror for the National Organization of Minority Architects Student Design Competition, 2010; Juror for the AIA North Carolina Triangle Chapter Design Awards Program, 2009; Juror for the BSA In the Pursuit of Housing Design Competition Program, 2009; Juror for the BSA/Common Boston Design-Build Challenge Competition, 2009; Editorial Board Member, ArchitectureBoston Magazine, 2005-2009; Juror for the AIA Birmingham Design Awards Program, 2008; Juror for the AIA/IIDA Cleveland Design Awards Program,2008; Juror for the BSA Women in Design Exhibit Workshop Program, 2008; Juror for the AIA Iowa Architecture and Crafts Design Awards Program, 2007; Juror for the BSA/AIA Unbuilt Architecture Design Awards Program, 2007; Juror for the AIA Richmond Design Awards Program, 2007; Juror for the BSA/AIA Small Project Design Honor Awards Program, 2006; Juror for the BSA/AIA Small Firms/Small Projects Biennial Design Awards Program, 2006; Juror for the AIA Iowa State and Regional Design Awards Program, 2004.

Affiliate Director

Rebecca Hatchadorian LEED AP BD+C
Associate Principal, Climate + Sustainability, Arup

Candidate Statement
I am passionate about delivering sustainable outcomes in the built environment to address the climate crisis and advance human health. I have focused my career on sustainability since 2008 and am excited to continue growing the BSA’s influence in addressing climate action and sustainability and delivering on its mission to build a better Boston.

Professional Affiliations
Built Environment Plus Board of Directors 2016-current, Zero Net Carbon Zoning Low Carbon Building Technical Advisory Group 2022, Urban Land Institute Sustainability Committee Co-Chair 2014-15.

Elective Committees and Delegations

Ethics Committee

Silvia Colpani
Architect, Jones Architecture

Candidate Statement
As an architect, an immigrant, and a parent, through the BSA Ethic Committee I want to contribute to a community that is not afraid of challenges and looks after future generations. Working for the higher education field made me question how I can be a better advocate for my clients and their diverse group of users. Being a full-time architect, I learned that the impact of our design choices is what really drives the change. Being a parent has taught me that there is still work that needs to be done in our profession to support healthier work life balance.

Biography
Silvia is an architect for Jones Architecture in Salem MA. Silvia graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a Masters of Architecture. She worked as a Teaching Assistant for the Director of the Graduate program at Wentworth and was a student representative for the NE/SHA-New England Society of Architectural Historians. Originally from Italy, Silvia moved to the United States in 2013 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in Milan.


Honors and Awards Committee


Tom S. Chung FAIA LEED AP BD+C
Principal, Leers Weinzapfel Associates

Candidate Statement
While maintaining exceptional design standards in our Honors and Awards process, we need to bring about structural changes that bring equity across the board. How do we encourage and celebrate the excellent work of our minority (race, gender, etc.) firms and architects? How do we provide equity in the application fees for awards that isn’t a barrier to sole practitioners and small firms? How do we celebrate projects that impact our underprivileged urban neighborhoods? How do we celebrate exceptional pro-bono and extremely budget constrained projects? I’m honored to be nominated and if elected, I look forward to making progress on these issues in the Honors and Awards Committee.

Professional Affiliations
Member, BSA/AIA member since 2004 | AIA College of Fellows since 2020 | Co-Chair, BSA EDI Advocacy Working Group 2020-21 | AIA New England Board Member since 2020 | AIA COF Regional Representative since 2020 | AIA COF Nexus Mentor since 2022 | Boston PIC Digital Ready Summer Studio Mentoring, firm coordinator 2020, 2021| University of Virginia, Dean’s Advisory Board since 2022 | Wentworth Institute of Technology, Design Professionals Advisory Council 2015-2022 | WoodWorks, Board of Directors since 2020 | Boston by Foot Trustee, Executive Committee, EDI Committee, since 2016 | Professor of Practice, Auburn University since 2022 | Adjunct Faculty, Wentworth Institute of Technology, 2015-2022, Northeastern University, 2008-2009 | Jury: AIA Springfield Design Awards Chair 2022, Wood Design & Building Awards 2021, Portman Prize-Georgia Tech 2019, Architect Magazine R+D Awards 2018, US Wood Design Awards 2017, AIA Connecticut Honor Awards 2014

Kelly Haigh AIA LEED AP
Partner, President, designLAB architects

Candidate Statement
The values we honor will define our generation’s contribution to the built environment. We are called to celebrate design work that reflects our vision for a future that is equitable, resilient, sustainable, beautiful, and just. To ensure that we are honoring the best our field has to offer, we must craft processes that eliminate barriers to reveal the richness of the design work. I’m thrilled to be nominated for the BSA Honors & Awards Committee, believing that we must uplift that which we aspire to achieve, doing so thoughtfully, optimistically, and committed to positive impact.

Professional Affiliations
Member, BSA/AIA member since 2012 | Chair, AIA Interior Architecture Knowledge Committee 2014-17 | ABx Committee Chair, BSA Women In Design 2014-17 | Leadership Chair, BSA Women In Design 2017-18 | BSA Nominating Committee 2019-20 | BSA Equity Task Force 2019-20 | Curator, IMPACT Exhibit, BSA Salt Gallery 2020 | Chair, BSA Women In Design Award of Excellence 2023 | Instructor: University of Florida 2007, Boston Architectural College 2009-12, Northeastern University 2011, Roger Williams Institute 2011, 2012 | Wentworth Institute of Technology 2020, Rhode Island School of Design 2021, UMass Amherst 2021 | Jury: Women In Design Award of Excellence 2018-19, AIA Institute Honors for Interior Architecture 2020, Harleston Parker Medal, 2020-21

Nominating Committee

Niusha Arndt Assoc. AIA (Perkins + Will)
Designer, Perkins&Will; Co-chair, BSA/SCUP Roundtable Committee; Boston, MA

Candidate Statement
Niusha Arndt enjoys the balanced synergies of her professional practice as a designer, educator, researcher, and artist. With distinct education and experience in Architecture, Construction, and Industrial Design, she considers the collaboration of AEC professionals, to be vital in forming beautiful, and meaningful built environments.

Expanding on the BSA’s strategic and transformative vision of inclusivity, Niusha seeks engagement with the Nominating Committee as an opportunity to extend the reach of our society to construction partners, client organizations, and academic and ally institutions. She believes that realizing the diversity of voices and ideas of our industry will result in a more rich and vibrant community in which to thrive.

Professional Affiliations
Boston Society for Architects, Member since 2014; American Institute of Architects, Associate Member since 2014; Society of College and University Planning (SCUP) Member since 2019; BSA/SCUP Committee Co-Chair since 2020; Habitat for Humanity Volunteer since 2021; Thesis Commencement Awards at Boston Architectural College Board of Jury since 2018; John Worthington Ames Scholarship Board of Jury 2017-2020; Perkins&Will Boston Office Sketch Club Organizer 2018-2020; Boston Architectural College Adjunct Faculty 2015-2018; Wentworth University, Roger Williams University, & Boston Architectural College, Design Studios Guest Critic 2016-2019; Open NY Perkins&Will Sketch Competition 1st Prize 2020; A+D Museum The Future of Space Exhibition Participant 2020; BSA Women in Design 20th Anniversary Exhibition Design Contributor 2020; Phil Freelon Design Competition Shortlisted Contestant 2020; ACUI Conference Presenter 2019; Herman Miller HCD Scholarship Recipient 2018; San-Francisco Public Amenities, SmithGroup Design Competition Honorable Mention 2018; MED/ED Conference Emerging Designer Scholarship Recipient 2017; ACUHO-I Conference Researcher Scholarship Recipient 2017; Endicott College Healthcare Design Studio Guest Critic 2017-2018; Youth Build Boston Design Studio Guest Critic 2015-2019; Boston Architectural College Student Lecture Series Lecturer 2017; John Worthington Ames Scholarship Recipient 2016; Boston Architectural College Masters of Architecture Thesis Commencement Award Recipient 2015


Cara Michell
Professor of Race & Social Justice in the Built Environment, Northeastern University School of Architecture; Founder, s l o w p r a c t i c e public art & urban planning, Brooklyn, NY

Candidate Statement
I am excited to become more deeply involved in BSA’s work, bringing my experience convening designers of color in Boston, New York, and Toronto to the table. As a member of the nominating committee, I would be committed to engaging professionals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The opportunity to build upon the BSA’s important work towards more inclusive and sustainable futures is aligned with my own practice, particularly as an educator and participatory mapping researcher. As an urban planner and artist, I am eager to continue collaborating with architects in this context.

Professional Affiliations
Co-Founder, Black in Design Conference, Harvard University 2014-2015; IDEAS CITY Fellow, New Museum, 2015; General Member, BlackSpace Urbanist Collective, 2018-2022; Forefront Fellow, Urban Design Forum, 2020-2021; Public Private Real Estate Professionals (P/PREP) Board of Directors, NYC, 2020-2021; Fellow, Urban Design Forum, 2021-2022; Recurring Guest Writer, The Site Magazine, 2019-2022; Artist Collaborator, MoMA PS1, NYC, 2021-2022; NEW INC Member, New Museum, NYC 2022 – Onwards.

Membership Committee

Matthew Akira Okazaki
Founder and Principal, Field Office LLC; Principal, Architecture for Public Benefit

Candidate Statement
Certainly the profession is ever-changing. But as it necessarily grows, reevaluates and redefines itself to contemporary demands and problems, so must its membership. More than ever, we have an imperative to find ways to attract, engage, and retain a diverse set of constituents. A body of eager, energetic, and progressive designers and architects. Supporting new and alternative voices with new and alternative ideas – alongside those more established – is critical in the path forward. I hope to help with this effort as part of the Membership Committee at the BSA.

Professional Affiliations
Assistant Teaching Professor, Northeastern University 2022 Lecturer, Northeastern University 2020-2022 Lecturer, Tufts University 2020-2022; Lecturer, Brandeis University 2020-2021; Member, NCARB Examination Committee 2021 - present; Member, NOMA 2021 - present Member, NCARB Licensing Advisor 2020 - present; Member, The Architecture Lobby 2020 - present; Member, NCARB Think Tank Committee 2020

Shonali Rajani AIA, LEED AP
Senior Associate, Arrowstreet, Inc

Candidate Statement
Our greatest joy as architects comes from creating the experience of place. To succeed in transforming the mundane into the elegant, we must reflect the values of our communities. Our strength lies in forging connections with people who will inhabit these places every day.

The BSA is the connective tissue that links architects to the built environment. The collaboration, forward-thinking and knowledge of the BSA supports us all in our drive to make places better.

Professional Affiliations
BSA Member 2010-present, BSA Women in Design, former co-chair (Communications), WID mentoring mentor / mentee, BSA SAID (Society for Indo-American Architects and Designers), ULI Member 2019-present, WLI Steering Committee, ULI Pathways (2019 co-hort), BAC Member of the Faculty, Thesis Instructor, Lead Co-hort Foundation Studios (1998-present)

Nada Shuaib NOMA
Technical Designer, Gensler

Candidate Statement
Our contributions as designers are not limited to the projects we design. It extends to promote responsibilities towards developing our communities. I am committed to represent the opportunities and challenges of the diverse communities that I am engaged with while supporting growth and impact within the BSA.

Biography
Born, raised, and educated in three different continents, Nada is a Sudanese designer based in Boston. She received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Khartoum, Sudan, and her Master of Architecture from Miami University of Ohio. Nada is a designer practicing at Gensler and her experience includes a range of projects across Higher education and Healthcare. She spent the last seven years committed to fostering growth and connections in the design community and beyond through outreach opportunities in multiple organizations Such as BosNOMA, a community that is working towards an equitable future in the architectural profession. Nada also serves as the Chair of the BosNOMA Project Pipeline initiative which exposes our youth to design as a career option.

Professional Affiliations
BSA member since 2015; Shepley Bulfinch Board Employee Representative 2021; Shepley Bulfinch Design Leadership Group Lead Facilitator; BosNOMA Project Pipeline Chair 2021 & 2022; MCA Pipeline Workshop Lead Facilitator 2017-2021


AIA Massachusetts Board

Kate Bubriski AIA, CPHC, LEED AP BD+C
Director of Sustainability & Building Performance, Arrowstreet

Candidate Statement
Architecture has a vital responsibility to create healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities. I have spent the last twenty years working at the local, state and national levels with diverse groups of industry partners to further this imperative. I look forward to bringing my years of architectural practice and service at the BSA/AIA to support advancing the profession, improving the built environment, and addressing the climate and equity crises.

Professional Affiliations
BSA/AIA member since 2010; BSA Membership Committee 2019-2021; BSA COTE 2012-present, Steering Committee 2021-present; AIA MA Government Affairs Committee 2014-present; AIA Design & Health Leadership Group 2018-2020; AIA Committee on Architecture For Education K-12 Subcommittee 2016-2017; BSA Committee For The Advancement of Sustainability 2012-2015; Built Environment Plus Board of Directors 2022-2023; USGBCMA Advocacy Chair 2014-2018; Sustainable Design Leaders 2015-present, Northeast Regional Leader 2016-2018; NESEA member; Greenbuild Host Committee 2016-2017.


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