AIA Georgia 2022 Class
Welcome, CKLDP Class of 2022! We are very excited for the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program to begin! During this process you will gain tremendous insight and knowledge from the program, as well as shared perspectives from the other members of the group. We encourage everyone to share your personal expertise with one another. Enclosed you will find your class bio’s and contact information, and the CKLDP session schedule. You will also find a contact list for each member of the group. We hope the following information will introduce you to your class and give you a chance to learn of their professional accomplishments and backgrounds. Feel free to contact any member of the Committee if you have questions. We look forward to a great year!
The 2022 CKLDP Exectuive Team
Class Schedule February March
Emerging Issues at Intersection of Architecture/ Society
Architecture & Political Engagement
April
Economic & Industry Trends
May
Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity
June
Rainmaking & Business Development
July
The Art of Decision Making
August
Professional Practice & 1-Day MBA
September
Civic & Business Leadership
2022 Executive Team
Ryan Murphy, AIA Eric Balogh, AIA 2022 Chair 2021 Chair Shamrock Drones | AIA Savannah The Beck Group | AIA Atlanta
Heather Potts, AIA CKLDP Advisor Easy Tiger Architecture | AIA Atlanta
Michael Garcia, AIA 2023 Chair LS3P | AIA Savannah
Heli Shah, Assoc. AIA CKLDP Advisor Cooper Carry | AIA Atlanta
The 2022 Class
Namrata Dani AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Assoc.
Dyesha Holmes Assoc. AIA, NOMA
Mae Murphy Assoc. AIA, LEED GA, WELL AP
Benjamin Dumas AIA, NCARB, EDAC
Monica Maria Espia Magcalas Assoc. AIA, NCARB
Janine Mwenja AIA
Madeline Gibbs AIA, NCARB
Trent McGugin AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Angela Olsen Assoc. AIA
The 2022 Class
Deborah Lin Perez Centeno Assoc. AIA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C. WELL AP
Shelly-Anne Tulia Scott AIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C
Jakiel Sanders AIA, NOMA, NCARB
Laura Sherman AIA
Raymond E. Stubblefield Jr. AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD + C
Katherine A. Schuff AIA
Nathaniel (Nate) Perez Steinrueck Assoc. AIA
Namrata Dani, AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Associate Associate Rule Joy Trammell (RTJR) reachdani@gmail.com
Market sector(s)
Hospitality Commercial/Office K-12 Higher Ed Residential - Multi-Family Mixed Use
Architecture Degreee Program Georgia Institute of Technology
Years of Professional Experience 2.5
Years Since Architectural License 0
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? Leadership to me is taking initiative and guiding others along a path of success and improvement. Whether the leadership is intentional or not, leadership is demonstrated by its effect on people. At times, it could be as simple as speaking up for what you believe in and encouraging others along the way. Despite my quiet nature, I am bold and I tend to speak up when needed and have encouraged my younger peers to do so. I've been involved in various student organizations during my undergraduate and graduate school and will serve on the AIA Atlanta board next year.
Ben Dumas, AIA, NCARB, EDAC Associate Beck Architecture bendumas@beckgroup.com
Market sector(s)
Commercial/Office Institutional Healthcare
Architecture Degreee Program Texas Tech University
Years of Professional Experience 17
Years Since Architectural License 4
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? Leadership is a process of building trust and respect, maintaining focus on key objectives and delivering tangible results. Leadership comes in opportunities large and small. It is easy to see leadership in a CEO, yet even as a small team working on a singular goal, a leader must be the person who begins by setting expectations and defining key objectives and goals, always keeps the team’s focus on the challenges at hand, and delivers measurable results contributing to the team’s overall success.Building trust requires setting an example, ability to listen and cooperate and constantly demonstrating reliability. Maintaining focus requires resiliency to make corrections and persevere through challenges, integrity to being honest with your team, and dedication to follow through to the end result. Delivering tangible results does not necessarily mean 100% success, but delivering an end product to make your entire team proud, as well as measurable for future improvement. I have had multiple opportunities for leadership throughout my career. Early on, it was aiding our design staff in transitioning our drafting and modeling platform to Revit by creating templates and providing guidance to staff. More recently in my career it has been in project architect and construction administration roles where I have carried the responsibility for assembly the construction document drawings, maintaining relationships with general contractors, and acting as our client’s trusted advocate. Lastly, it has been organizing charity events in our office benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, an organization with a profound impact on my family’s lives.
Madeline Gibbs, AIA, NCARB Design Architect Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC mgibbs@gmcnetwork.com
Market sector(s)
Commercial/Office K-12
Architecture Degreee Program Auburn University
Years of Professional Experience 2
Years Since Architectural License 0
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? My mentor & office leader constantly uses the phrase “all boats rise with the tide,” and this philosophy on leadership has transformed the way I think about my role as a leader. I’ve always considered a leader someone who puts others first, but this illustration has made that real for me. If you take care of yourself first, you’ll get to the finish line and won’t have the rest of your team with you. If you make sure your team has everything they need, are straight on their tasks, and understand their path, you’ll have a team who trusts you and supports you. This has been made real for me as I’ve begun to manage projects and gain responsibilities in my role in the profession– it’s tempting to focus on your own production and push off the needs of your consultants, interns, and teammates, but this leads to a project (and an architect) that is struggling as deadlines approach. This is a transformation that’s been humbling, and that I’m still very much working on, but something that I’ve sought accountability for and worked to improve. Striving toward a profession that is diverse and equitable in its opportunities is another key piece of this. Architects who all look and think the same way will only go so far – being sure that all voices are included will grow our profession in ways that are otherwise not possible.
Dyesha Holmes, Assoc. AIA, NOMA Design Architect Cooper Carry mgibbs@gmcnetwork.com
Market sector(s)
Residential - Multi-Family Mixed Use Other (Planning, Marketing, Other Design Areas)
Architecture Degreee Program Kennesaw State University
Years of Professional Experience 2.5
Years Since Architectural License 0
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? Leadership is an act of servitude. It is humbling yourself by listening and learning from others. I have led a classroom of pre-k to second graders by taking the time to understand their wants and needs and meet them where they are. I have volunteered my time to help my community by leading food distributions with my church and being a smiling face and a light as I serve those who are in need and are homeless. Leadership is not about how strong you are or how powerful you appear, it is about how you make people feel. Working on the UrbanFronts mural showed me the importance of listening and giving the space for people to talk about their experiences and have them guide us through the design process so every time they pass by the mural they feel pride in their community. Leadership is about making sure people feel seen and heard and opening opportunities. I have been blessed to work on many efforts and it brings me joy to delegate tasks to people and give them the space to shine. Seeing people grow and work in their purpose is a sight to behold and I witnessed that first hand when I aided in creating the two-part Storytelling series for NOMA Atlanta. We shared the platform with two organizations that show how we can narrate stories through design. Leadership is empowering those around you and that is the leader I want to be.
Monica Maria Espia Magcalas, Assoc. AIA Design Architect Gensler mgibbs@gmcnetwork.com
Market sector(s)
Commercial/Office
Architecture Degreee Program
Clemson University | Georgia Institute of Technology
Years of Professional Experience 6
Years Since Architectural License 0
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? I would define leadership as trust. Why? Without trust, it’s hard to accept direction, the mission, and the goals of the leader.There is a process in leadership that develops trust; empowering people, showing up authentically as themselves, and practicing what they preach. Our practice is a collaborative environment therefore trust is key because when people can see that the leader has their back, the more people are willing to go beyond to make sure the organization thrives. Creating a line of communication, establishing clear workflows and approval process to keep everyone on the same page, and taking the time to share knowledge are the tools that I’ve practiced in my work experience, as a member of NOMA, and while in graduate school. I’ve experienced that learning how people communicate and creating that line to connect with others helps establish how the transfer of information can be achieved. Giving people opportunities that they are interested in and giving ownership of tasks creates trust and empowers that person.
Trent McGugin, AIA, LEED AP BD + C Project Architect, Associate Perkins & Will trent.mcgugin@perkinswill.com
Market sector(s)
Commercial/Office K-12
Architecture Degreee Program
University of Florida | Washington University
Years of Professional Experience 8
Years Since Architectural License 3
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? To me, leadership is the ability to guide complex processes towards successful outcomes for all involved parties. Leadership requires an understanding of the techniques and skills we use to work collaboratively, and a comprehension of the impact of our work on social and environmental concerns in our communities. In my career I have worked to build my leadership skills alongside my technical expertise. In my first job I recognized the value that adapting my small firm’s workflow from AutoCAD to Revit would have for the firm in the long term. I stepped outside my role as a junior staff to propose the change to the Principal, and led the effort to translate the firm’s workflow to the new software successfully. The outcome was beneficial for the firm, which was now able to utilize the latest software, and also for my colleagues, who gained new personal skills through the process.Over the years I have continued to find ways to practice leadership. I have served on AIA Atlanta’s High School Design Competition committee and have participated in firm-sponsored student mentorship programs, connecting with students and challenging a new generation of designers to champion their ideas about design and community. In my office, I organize the “Learning & Innovation Lecture Series,” with the goal of increasing shared knowledge in my studio across varying experience levels. I hope to use what I learn in the CKLDP to take my leadership skills outside the office and work with diverse groups towards improving our society.
Mae Elizabeth Murphy Sullivan, Assoc. AIA, LEED GA, WELL AP Senior Project Coordinator The Beck Group maemurphy@beckarchitecture.com
Market sector(s)
Retail Hospitality Commercial/Office Institutional Higher ED Residential - Single Family Healthcare Sports Residential- Multi-Family Mixed Use Adaptive Reuse Manufacturing
Architecture Degreee Program Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) Campus Puebla
Years of Professional Experience 8
Years Since Architectural License 0
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? For me, leadership is working for a greater goal, something bigger than one self, knowing that in order to achieve said goal, all the people involved need to be successful at their own tasks. It is doing my part with intention, understanding that my undivided attention to the present, to each person I meet and every task are important for my development. Everyone has something to teach, I try to keep my eyes and heart open for that, for giving and helping are some of the best experiences life can give you. I’ve been always involved, and will continuously search for those moments to reach out and see what I can learn, and see what my experience can bring to the table. Everyone has a unique and own background, which makes everyone important and with a say. Hearing from a group of bright individuals is definitely something that inspires me.
Janine Mwenja, AIA Architect David Baker Architects janinemwenja@dbarchitect.com
Market sector(s)
Hospitality Commercial/Office Residential-Multi-Family Mixed Use Adaptive Reuse
Architecture Degreee Program Auburn University
Years of Professional Experience 4
Years Since Architectural License 1
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? I believe that leaders inspire others to be their best selves while providing clarity on priorities and goals. A great leader will admit to being vulnerable, and having gaps in their knowledge, but will uphold values of accountability, kindness, and curiosity.Leaders will encourage people to do what they are good at, but will also provide space and time for them to improve in weaker areas. Clarity is essential for good leadership, being clear on goals and progression allows autonomy for people who know what they are doing, and a way for those who are less familiar to ask for help. I was the Chair of the AIA BHAM Emerging Professional Committee right out of school and launched a new movie night program as a way to foster connection between emerging professionals of the AEC industries. This was after observing that AIA hosts social events for members, but often Emerging professionals are not members and the ARE study nights were not inspiring conversation and connection among Emerging Professionals.
Angela Olsen, Assoc. AIA Architectural Designer POND aolsen1412@gmail.com
Market sector(s)
Commercial/Office K-12 Higher Ed
Architecture Degreee Program Savannah College of Art and Design
Years of Professional Experience 6
Years Since Architectural License 0
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? I define leadership by sharing my knowledge and the knowledge I gained from others with those I work with. Also, it is important to listen to other ideas to find a creative solution that resolves a problem or issue. I demonstrate my leadership skills by showing what I expect from myself to those who I am leading, if it be a single task or throughout the length of a project, and what is expected from them. I always make time for questions and further discussion if something isn't clearly understood or needs clarification.
Deborah Lin Perez Centeno, Assoc. AIA, CDP, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP Green Building Consultant SK Collaborative deborah@skcollaborative.com
Market sector(s)
Residential - Single Family, Multi- Family Adpative reuse Other (Planning, Marketing, Other Design Areas)
Architecture Degreee Program School of Architecture | UPR RP
Years of Professional Experience 6
Years Since Architectural License 0
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? Leadership is shown by actions, example and lifting each other up. In my career the people that I’ve felt are leaders are those who stand for their values and do all they can to improve our communities and the profession of architecture. Being introverted I have always preferred to talk less and let my work speak for itself, but my goals have pushed me out of my comfort zone. Back in Puerto Rico as an Accessibility and Fair Housing Specialist I pushed for an initiative to provide barrier free/accessible design workshop to all federally subsidized affordable housing building managers and staff in the Island. I provided these seminars to both public employees and private managing agent staff. I also wrote the first draft for a statewide executive order to ensure and expand the protections of the Fair Housing Act in Puerto Rico. After being accepted into the Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship I lead the Community Engagement and Participatory Design efforts of Habitat for Humanity for a 9 acre lot in the neighborhood Sylvan Hills. Even though I facilitated these meetings, my goal was to give the leadership to the community instead. To empower the voices of the community and provide them with control and a sense of ownership over what gets developed where they live. With the aid of the community we designed a mixed-use masterplan which satisfied Habitat’s goals of providing affordable housing and the community’s goals such as green spaces and market rate housing.
Jakiel Sanders, AIA, NOMA, NCARB Associate, Project Architect The Sizemore Group jakiel.sanders@gmail.com
Market sector(s) Institutional K-12 Mixed Use Adaptive Reuse
Architecture Degreee Program Tuskegee University
Years of Professional Experience 11
Years Since Architectural License 3
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? I think leadership can be defined many ways, but for me leadership is less about imposing my vision on others and more about inspiring, empowering and motivating my team or collaborators to achieve their maximum potential, within anestablished strategic framework. As a person that values the sharing of ideas, I feel that this approach builds consensus and leads to better and more diverse outcomes. I have used this approach in various capacities throughout my career including while serving as Co-Chair of Moody Nolan’s Licensure Committee, as well as when I served as President of the ClevelandYoung Professional Senate.
Katherine A. Schuff, AIA Project Architect LS3P Associates kaschuff1@gmail.com
Market sector(s)
Hospitality Commercial/Office K-12 Residential- Multi-Family Mixed Use Adaptive Reuse
Architecture Degreee Program Tulane University
Years of Professional Experience 7
Years Since Architectural License 3
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? I would define leadership as the ability to see the potential in others and help them harness that to achieve positive results, bringing out the talents and expertise of team members so that they best complement one another and helping keep things on track towards an overarching goal - whether immediate or aspirational.I’ve demonstrated leadership skills in my day-to-day work by being a strong collaborator, helping to teach colleagues in the areas I’m most knowledgeable, and taking the time to listen and learn from those who have more expertise. As a Project Architect I’ve learned how to divide our tasks to more efficiently reach deadlines, with the added layer of tracking and collaborating with consultants’ work. In the past couple of years, I’ve also helped share Revit-specific knowledge and improve our firm standards through my work as an Office BIM Coordinator, and I’ve rekindled our office Emerging Professionals group. Through this latter group, I’m bringing various forms of enrichment to the other EPs in the office, with the goal of helping them grow professionally and choose the direction that they want to expand their careers.
Shelley-Anne Tulia Scott, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C Project Manager Moody Nolan tscott@moodynolan.com
Market sector(s)
K-12 Higher Ed Residential - Multi- Family Mixed Use Other (Planning, Marketing, Other Design Areas)
Architecture Degreee Program University of Technology | Florida A&M University
Years of Professional Experience 16
Years Since Architectural License 10
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? Leadership to me is being a servant leader and using your platform to effect change initiatives both above toward a vision and below you by bringing along future leaders. As a leader I am an influencer and a resource for others. In my career thus far I have been a part of setting visions and goals for company growth and starting new programs for AIA. I have also been an advocate for the profession on AIA Capitol Hill Day; part of the cross pollination between AIA and other associated organizations; as a mentor to team members and students; as a board member for AIA and NOMA and other allied groups. One of my highest roles in the profession was Director of Architecture which allowed me to be the face of that department for the company and manage everything from the clients to the team, learning about business development; earnings, forecasting and team planning and management.
Laura Sherman, AIA Project Architect Smith Dalia Architects lsherman@smithdalia.com
Market sector(s)
Retail Commercial/Office Institutional Higher Ed Residential - Single Family Residential - Multi- Family Mixed Use Adaptive Reuse Historic Preservation Other (Planning, Marketing, Other Design Areas)
Architecture Degreee Program Kennesaw State University
Years of Professional Experience 5
Years Since Architectural License <1
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? The trajectory of my career depended on scholarships built by leaders who dedicate themselves to providing these paths forall future architects. To serve in leading this with the AIA Architecture Foundation of Georgia board and be part of this cycle is my privilege and a vital part of propelling this profession into an equitable future through finding candidates for the AIA scholarships and educational outreach. Leading scholarship efforts began with my AIAS board membership, fundraising for the Jeremy Smith memorial scholarship. After two unsuccessful events despite dedicated effort, I researched and proposed reaching out to Georgia firms with handwritten letters requesting napkin sketches to auction. Our board gained enthusiastic participation of local professionals and the event was the most successful yet. It was a moment of growth to have seen the contrast before and after using our efforts to invite the community in. When beginning at my tight- knit firm as the newest hire in years and of different ethnic and cultural background, I took it upon myself to ask for more responsibility and was met with encouragement to take on new roles and project leadership opportunities. As a former girl scout raised in finding purpose through filling community needs, I learned that leadership comes from inviting others to take part of greater ideas and my firm shares this value. It also takes practical forms by saying “yes” when there is an opportunity to volunteer, mentor, or sit alongside someone at a community design review to help them follow along.
Nathaniel (Nate) Perez Steinrueck, Assoc. AIA Architectural Researcher + Computational Designer Cove.Tool steinrueckn@gmail.com
Market sector(s) Institutional Legal/Justice Adaptive Reuse
Architecture Degreee Program North Carolina State University
Years of Professional Experience 6
Years Since Architectural License 0
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? Leadership is a moment, and when that moment comes, we must seize it. However, that requires a certain level ofcomfortability in oneself, to stand ground despite negative personal circumstances. While in school, I was the only student on the lecture committee. One of my responsibilities on the committee was to organize a lunch with the visiting lecturer and students. A well-meaning local architect would commonly take the lecturer around the city and sometimes skip lunches, citing that students were frequently not interested. At first, I was nervous about ruffling feathers. I admired the department head who also was best friends with the local architect, and I wanted to keep on good terms with him, the professors, and the architect. I knew, though, I had to take this moment, an extremely uncomfortable one, and make a stand to ensure students had the opportunities they deserved. The primary purpose of lecturers is for the students, not networking opportunities for architects. I confronted the architect directly and then the committee and insisted on the importance of lunches with the lecturer. I know this is a minor example, but these small moments are tests. They are also opportunities to stand for what you believe is right. I believe CKLDP will help develop that confidence to be ready for those important moments. To be authentic in yourself and stay true to your values
Raymond E. Stubblefield, Jr., AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C Construction Administrator | Associate HKS rstubblefield@hksinc.com
Market sector(s)
Retail Hospitality Commercial/Office Residential - Multi-Family Mixed Use
Architecture Degreee Program Kansas State University
Years of Professional Experience 15
Years Since Architectural License 6
How do you define leadership and how have you demonstrated leadership skills to this point in you career? This leadership skills I’ve shown to this point in my life is evident in my personal and professional successes – as identified inmy resume. However, my greatest leadership accomplishments are reflected in the success of my wife and kids. Seeing them grow into leaders in the workplace, classrooms, on the courts, fields, and in their social circles is indicative to me of the type of leadership I’ve displayed to them throughout the years. Pushing and supporting my wife in her career growth and academic achievements (bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees and phD in progress) is something that I’m proud of due to my own personal achievements in obtaining certificates, licensures and degrees while raising a family. Seeing my kids lead their peers, achieve academic successes at the highest order, compete in local/national STEM competitions and discover their own talents and abilities is the best type of leadership I have displayed – personally. Professionally, I continue to challenge myself bystaying involved in K-12 efforts and HBCU initiatives to bring along the pipeline development and to help assist in diversifyingthe profession. All the while continues to embrace the idea of being a “lifelong learner” and enjoying the journey of learning something new every day. Leadership is not about talking about what you’re going to do, but it’s doing what you talked about doing – no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it may be.
The Need-to-Knows Overview
Honoring Christopher Kelley
The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program prepares AIA Georgia professionals for future leadership roles. This year-long program consists of nine individual half-day sessions attended by 16 participants. Prospective participants go through an application process for selection where proven career success, community involvement and the individual’s firm support will be considered.
Christopher Kelley, AIA was an active member of the DC architectural community who passed away in May of 2012. He was a respected leader within the Institute as well as within Gensler’s Washington office. Through his volunteer efforts, he participated and contributed to initiatives and programs that have had a positive impact on emerging professionals at different stages of their careers. In 2010 Christopher was honored with a Young Architects Award for which the jury stated, “Christopher has proven himself a young leader within and around the AIA, a real example for other young professionals.” This program, created by the AIA DC chapter is intended to continue his legacy of leadership and activism.
Curriculum The curriculum will focus on core skills such as marketing and business development, office and firm management, presentation and public speaking, professional ethics and the law, philanthropy and board involvement, community service, industry trends, and the future of the practice. A full list of courses is described in this guide. Each individual session will be planned by members of the program and the program will be kicked off by a “Bootcamp” session to introduce the participants and design the curriculum for the year. Each member will be responsible to lead the planning of at least one session. Sessions will be held monthly from 12:00pm – 5:00pm, February through September.
Required Commitment to the Program The program’s success is directly related to the attendance by the participants and therefore attendance is mandatory. Each participant of the program will be required to sign an Agreement Form that will require a signature from one of the participant’s principals of their firm. Each member will be allowed one excused absence. If two sessions are missed, a fine of $100 will be sent to the participants firm. A further absence will result in an additional $100 fine and expulsion from the program.
AIA Continuing Education It is intended that this program will have AIA CE credit available for its participants.
Contact: For more information please contact the Leadership Development Program Committee: Chair Ryan Murphy, AIA ryanmurphy@shamrockdrones.com Chair-Elect Michael Garcia, AIA michaelgarcia@ls3p.com