SPEAKERS

NIKNAZ

Founder

Aftahi

& CEO / aec+tech

Niknaz is the CEO and co-founder at aec+tech, an all-in-one innovation platform and community connecting AEC/O (Architecture, Engineering, Construction & Operations) professionals with the latest tools and technologies. Prior to launching aec+tech Niknaz practiced architecture in the bay area, California, both as a design professional as well as a design technologist. Niknaz is passionate about technology and innovation in the AEC space, and she has been a keynote speaker at various international aec-tech events. Niknaz is a member of AIA San Francisco design technology committee, and has also been developing curriculum and teaching architecture courses online to Bahai students in Iran who continue to be deprived of access to universities in their own country.

KAIS AL-RAWI

Associate Director / Eckersley O’Callaghan

Kais Al-Rawi is an Associate Director in Eckersley O’Callaghan’s Los Angeles office, Kais is an established architect with a reputation for working on a diverse range of projects from art-forms to towers, stadia and aviation developments. His expertise lies at the intersection of architecture, engineering and technology – with a focus on solving complex design challenges through digital design. Kais’ expertise has been leveraged on several world-class projects including SoFi Stadium, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and the Orange County Museum of Art. In 2022, Kais was listed as one of Aviation Pros’ Top 40 under 40 in the Airport Business.

NIKHIL CHOUDHARY Founding Partner / Nirman Ventures

Nikhil Choudhary is a Silicon Valley based venture capitalist and general partner of Nirman Ventures, a VC fund focused on prop-tech, construction-tech, clean-tech, web3+realestate, and blockchain tech shaping real estate. Previously, Nikhil has founded several awardwinning AEC companies in the United States and has been an investor for over a decade. Nikhil is a highly published figure in the real estate industry and has been covered in notable publications such as Business Collective, Forbes & Inc.com.

THESLA COLLIER Senior Associate, Design Technology Manager / Gensler

Thesla Collier is one of five dedicated design technologists at Gensler’s Los Angeles Office. Her background is in Architecture, and she works with designers, architects, engineers, and contractors in all phases of building, design, and construction. Thesla uses design technology to develop methods and workflows to improve project outcomes and processes.

JOE EICHENSEER Building Solutions Manager / Imaginit

Joe leads a team of IMAGINiT’s dedicated services professionals who ensure that the people, technology and processes exist to provide the best possible solution for clients every time. Joe and his team provide leadership to building design firms through the process of selecting, implementing, and optimizing software solutions. They engineer new workflow processes that dramatically improve productivity and efficiency, managing cultural change necessary for firms to be successful.

WENDY W FOK Director / WE-DESIGNS

Wendy W Fok (she/them), trained as an architect, is interested in design, technology, and creative solutions for the built environment. They have experience in Product Development and Program Management from Zero to Launch, Design-Build, Manufacturing, Hardware/Software, and Digital Fabrication. Fok holds a Doctor of Design from the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) in partnership with the Harvard Law School, obtained a Master of Architecture and Certification of Urban Policy/Planning from Princeton University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with a Concentration in Economics (Statistics) from Barnard College, Columbia University.

SILA GULGEC Senior AI/ML Engineer / WE-DESIGNS

Sila’s research interests include deep learning, machine learning, big data, structural health monitoring, anomaly detection, sensor networks, compressed sensing, digital image correlation, and mobile sensing.

VIVIN HEGDE GP and Founding Partner / Zacua Ventures

Zacua Ventures is an early stage global VC specialized in investing in the Built Environment sector. We work with exceptional founders from the conception of the idea and work to make them successful. We are backed by top tier corporates across the globe and help startups tap into their expertise to build best in breed companies.

KATHLEEN HETRICK Associate / Buro Happold

As part of Buro Happold’s sustainability and physics team, Kathleen combines her passion for human-focused sustainable design with a technical background in mechanical engineering. She has experience in a wide range of cutting-edge projects across all scales of work including multiple LEED platinum projects, Living Building Challenge projects, historical adaptive reuse, LEED Neighborhood Developments, and city and campus sustainability plans.

CORY HILL Associate / Stantec

Cory is an associate at Stantec specializing in the design and delivery of complex buildings. His work combines an expertise in computational design with deep investigations of specialty materials and assemblies. He has designed buildings, public spaces, and artworks with internationally acclaimed firms. Currently he is the lead architect for the façade and complex interior spaces of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

ALVIN HUANG Architect, Designer, And Educator / Synthesis Design + Architecture

Alvin Huang is a Los Angelesbased architect with a global profile. He is the founder and principal of Synthesis Design + Architecture and an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California, where he is also the Director of Graduate and Post-professional Architecture. He received an M.Arch from the Graduate Design Research Laboratory at the Architectural Association in London and a B.Arch from the USC School of Architecture in Los Angeles.