BOARD
AIA|LA BOARD BIOS
PRESIDENT
Toni Lewis, AIA
Lewis|Schoeplein Architects
A third generation Los Angeles native, Toni is founding principal of Lewis/Schoeplein architects, a multi-disciplinary practice focused on sustainable community-based projects for institutions, government, non-profits and private developers. She has served as AIA/LA Treasurer (2022-present), as CFO of AWA+D (2019-2021), and on the Mulholland Scenic Corridor DRB (2012-2014). Her previous gigs included stints at Frank Gehry’s office, and at Gensler. Toni has a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley and an M.Arch from UCLA. She lives in an empty nest in Los Angeles with partner/husband Marc Schoeplein, two chickens, and a clownish pit-bull.
VICE PRESIDENT/2026 PRESIDENT-ELECT
Scott Hunter, FAIA
HKS
Scott Hunter, FAIA, is Partner and Regional Director of HKS. Under his leadership, the studio has earned national AIA and COTE awards and has been repeatedly ranked the “#1 Best Place to Work” in LA. Twice named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “500 Most Influential People,” Scott is respected for uniting design excellence with public purpose and for shaping dialogue across the city’s civic, cultural and professional communities.
Scott has lived and practiced globally and brings this perspective to our region. He is inspired by our bold history of architectural innovation, experimentation and climate-conscious design. He sees a need for a new era of architects focused on civic leadership to advance resilience and the livability of our city.
SECRETARY
Greg Kochanowski, AIA
Practice
Greg Kochanowski, AIA is Partner and Director of Design at Practice and a licensed architect, landscape designer, and educator. His work integrates architecture, landscape, and urbanism to advance resilience, equity, and civic design. Greg co-chairs the AIA|LA Wildfire Recovery Task Force, founded the nonprofit research lab The Wild – which focuses on research and education around climate change and peri-urban environments, and previously served as Co-President of the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design. Nationally recognized, Greg’s work holistically bridges interdisciplinary design, policy, and advocacy to strengthen communities and shape a more resilient and equitable Los Angeles.
TREASURER
John Arnold, AIA
KFA Architecture
John Arnold, AIA, is a Partner at KFA Architecture in Culver City. He has been with the firm since 1999, with a focus on multi-family housing, including mixed-use, affordable, and adaptive reuse projects. Much of John’s recent work has been in affordable housing assisting developers with the complex challenges of funding, cost, and public oversight while providing design that stays true to KFA’s mission to provide “great places where people flourish.” Since becoming a Partner at KFA in 2016, John and his two partners have worked to expand the firm’s robust culture and dedication to staff professional growth and diversity. John has served on several boards over the course of his career, including AIA/LA, Abode Communities Housing, Friends of Residential Treasures: Los Angeles (FORT:LA), United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council, and as Board Architect for the Jefferson Park HPOZ and University Park HPOZ.
PAST PRESIDENT
Chava Danielson, AIA
DSH // architecture
Chava Danielson, AIA, a native Angeleno, is Principal of DSH // architecture, with specialties in design, project advocacy, and serving non-profit organizations committed to their communities. She focuses on imparting beauty and sensitive programming to recharge underserved neighborhoods through educational, therapeutic and residential projects.
Danielson is Adjunct Professor at the USC School of Architecture. She currently co-chairs the AIA Los Angeles’ Government Outreach Committee and has served as a Director for the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design. She holds an M.Arch. from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University and a B.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.
DIRECTOR
Michael Chang, AIA
AC Martin
Michael Chang, AIA, is the Managing Principal of AC Martin and a native Angeleno with deep roots in the architectural fabric of Los Angeles. He currently serves as President of the Asian American Architects/Engineers Association (AAa/e), sits on the boards of the AAa/e Foundation and Berkeley Real Estate Alumni Association, and previously chaired AIA|LA’s Professional Practice Committee. Michael brings a broad perspective shaped by years of experience navigating industry change. He is committed to reinforcing the role of architects in society, empowering the next generation, and shaping a profession that is as resilient and relevant as the communities it serves.
DIRECTOR
Lauren Coles, AIA
CO Architects
Lauren Coles, AIA, is an associate principal with over 20 years of experience partnering with institutional clients to provide detailed coordination, facilitate stakeholder consensus, and execute design excellence. Lauren’s work spans healthcare, health sciences education buildings, complex laboratory facilities, strategic planning studies, student centers, and recreation facilities. She has led several firm-wide initiatives in hiring, licensure, and mentoring. Lauren is the past chair for the AIA|LA Practice Committee and was featured in Building Design + Construction’s “40 under 40” list for her contributions to the industry. She received her BS in Architecture degree from Northeastern University (Boston).
DIRECTOR
Carlos Augusto Garcia, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP
Brooks + Scarpa
Carlos Augusto Garcia is an architect, designer, and artist with 15 years of industry expertise. Specializing in design research, sustainability, wellness, and carbon reduction, his global outlook manifests through work with UIA World Congress of Architects, New Buildings Institute, National Endowment for the Arts, and LA Planning’s Urban Design Studio. Carlos serves on AIA COTE and ASHRAE committees, influencing climate action and greenhouse gas standards. This passion was ignited by his start in emergency management and disaster recovery in post-Katrina New Orleans, where he completed B.Arch and M.Arch degrees from Tulane University. He is committed to pursuing dignity in practice, promoting equity in both membership and leadership.
DIRECTOR
Craig Hamilton, FAIA
CannonDesign
Craig Hamilton, FAIA is a Principal at CannonDesign focused on college and university clients.
Craig brings years of practice in a large firm working leading complex, multidimensional stakeholder groups in the planning and design process; additionally, he has volunteer experience working with a variety of community group and is a current member of the Santa Monica Architectural Review Board. Collaborating with complex client and community groups has reinforced his belief that participation, engagement, and collaboration can produce great outcomes. He received his B.S. and M. Arch from the University of Michigan.
DIRECTOR
Brian Lane, FAIA
KoningEizenberg
Brian focuses on what it is to be a good neighbor to raise the bar for community architecture that promotes equity and sustainability. He blends practical design and construction knowledge with innovation, drawing on his planning and visualization skills to help agencies and cities streamline housing guidelines and regulations. Frequently sharing his expertise in community forums and programs, Brian wrote “Dear Mayor” in 2022 with the AIA LA Government Outreach committee, outlining 10 issues and fixes to boost affordable housing production. He currently serves on the 2024 AIA California Housing Steering Committee and the Hollywood Sign Board of Trustees.
DIRECTOR
Mandi Roberts, AIA
HMC Architects
Mandi Roberts, AIA, is a California native who has spent two decades designing spaces that connect people and strengthen communities across Los Angeles. As a Design Principal at HMC Architects, she leads the design of educational and cultural projects that make a meaningful impact. She has chaired the AIA|LA Design Awards Committee, served as local co-chair for the 2022 AIA Committee on Design Conference on Habitation, and held a Board position with the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design. Mandi is passionate about mentorship, collaboration, and ensuring AIA remains relevant and supportive for architects at every stage.
DIRECTOR
James Woolum, FAIA
ZGF
A native Southern Californian and die-hard Angeleno, James has nearly 30 years of experience designing complex education, healthcare, research, hospitality, and corporate environments around the country. James operates with the conviction that good design must have value beyond the immediate visual appeal of form and materiality, it must also enable and support transformative and enriching human experience.
James has served on the UCLA Master of Interior Architecture Advisory Board, the USC Architectural Guild Board, and is currently serving on the Spruce Goose Advisory Board of the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. In 2022, James was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows.
EX-OFFICIO
Carlo Caccavale, Hon. AIA|LA
Executive Director, AIA Los Angeles
Coupled with his knowledge of architecture and passion for policies that support excellence in the built environment, Carlo Caccavale brings more than 20 years of experience at the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles chapter to his position as its Executive Director.
Carlo has initiated a number of AIA|LA conferences that contribution to the profession and surrounding region. They include Encompass, the AIA|LA Conference to Actualize Diversity and Inclusion; Design for Dignity, the AIA|LA conference focused on homelessness and housing affordability; and Powerful, Women Leading Design. To facilitate greater recognition for design excellence and widen the spectrum of offices participating in design awards programs, Carlo launched the Restaurant Design Awards in 2005 and the Residential Architecture Awards in 2016. In 2017, he started the chapter’s Architectural Photography Awards to celebrate those who translate three dimensional design to the single plane while capturing its intent.
Mohamed Sharif, AIA, RIBA
Partner, Sharif, Lynch: Architecture
Mohamed Sharif is an Associate Professor at UCLA’s Department of Architecture and Design, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses and directs the undergraduate program.
His practice, Sharif, Lynch: Architecture, with Todd Lynch, has completed several award-winning projects in Los Angeles.
Sharif’s work has been published in journals and periodicals, including 306090, a+u, arq, Constructs, JAE, the Getty Center, Log, and POOL. He served on the arq editorial board (Cambridge University Press, 2006–2016) and was President of the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design (2007–2009), later joining its Advisory Board (2010–2016).
PHOTO: Alyssa Tohyama
Heather Flood, Assoc. AIA
Woodbury University
Heather Flood is a designer of information, graphics, and architecture. Her work integrates the disciplines and techniques of cultural research, graphic art, and architectural design to create experientially dense environments. Founder and principal of F-lab, Heather’s work has been published and exhibited internationally. Prior to forming F-lab, Heather worked in the offices of Murphy, Burnham, and Buttrick Architects (New York), HOLST Architecture (Portland), and Roto Architects (Los Angeles). In addition to her professional practice, Heather teaches design studios with a focus on beginning design pedagogy at Woodbury. She has taught design studios and visual studies seminars at SCI-Arc, as well as UCLA and the University of Kentucky. Heather has a Master of Architecture degree from the Southern California Institute of Architecture where she graduated with honors and received the Henry Adams Medal awarded to the top ranking graduate student. Heather has a Bachelor of Art degree from Michigan State University.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Catherine Hernandez, Assoc. AIA, NOMA
Brilliant Corners
In the last several years I have shared my time periodically with the ACLA community engagement committee and have found it to be a beautiful, uplifting, and diverse space for many members and community stakeholders to connect and amplify the work AIA is committed to nationwide and locally. In volunteering at several engagement events from Ciclavia to the West Adams block party I have personally found it exciting to meet other professionals in the industry and to connect with community partners making architectural services accessible for adults and youth who are curious about the built environment. I grew up in South Central Los Angeles, a community that for many years has lacked investment, design, engagement, and presence of a group like ACLA. Seeing familiar faces and having neighbors & friends learn about the possibility of an ADU and imagining a future where spaces are intentionally designed made me hopeful
about our collective future.
EX-OFFICIO ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Esmeralda Aceituno, Assoc. AIA
Esmeralda Aceituno, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP is a first-generation Chicana designer and change maker from East Los Angeles whose work is rooted in equity, cultural representation, and civic design. She completed her Master of Architecture II at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and now contributes to Populous as an Event Architectural Designer. Esmeralda has worked with Safdie Architects, CO Architects, and Harvard Capital Projects, and now serves as an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at Pierce College, where she mentors first-generation and low-income students. She is actively pursuing licensure, having passed all AREs and completed her hours, with the California Supplemental Exam remaining.
PUBLIC DIRECTOR
Matthew Haas, SVP
KeyBank CDLI
Matthew Haas is Senior Vice President for KeyBank’s Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) team, covering CA, NM, AZ, and NV. With over 25 years in affordable housing and community development, Matthew specializes in financing LIHTC properties and workforce housing. At KeyBank, he has financed over 3,000 units totaling nearly $500 million in debt and expanded the bank’s equity syndications and participations platform.
Previously, Matthew was Director of Investor Relations at Berkadia Affordable Housing Tax Credit Solutions and Merritt Community Capital, raising over $600 million in equity for 63 properties, financing over 5,000 units. He also held senior roles at the Low Income Investment Fund, Fannie Mae, Bank of America, National Equity Fund, and Illinois Housing Development Authority, contributing to affordable housing planning, development, and financing across NY, IL, and CA.
Matthew has an M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia University and a B.A. in Architecture / Environmental Design from UC Berkeley. Currently, Matthew serves on the Boards of Holos Communities and PEP Housing and also serves on the Credit Committee for New Jersey Community Capital.
AIA CA REPRESENTATIVE
Ismar Enriquez, AIA, LFA, LEED AP
Practice
Ismar Enriquez, AIA, LFA, LEED AP, is a visionary at the intersection of sustainability, equity, housing, and education with nearly two decades of experience. He is dedicated to tackling housing and climate challenges by promoting inclusive and sustainable communities.
Ismar has supported transformative initiatives like the 2×8 Student Scholarship, which has awarded over $250,000. As a former AIA LA Committee on the Environment chair, he organized the influential 1.5 Degree Celsius Symposium on sustainability. He also serves as Commissioner for the Community Development Department in Long Beach and as a Board member for the William J. Worthen Foundation, advancing carbon neutrality and climate justice nationwide.
AIA CA REPRESENTATIVE
Lisa Little, AIA
Vertebrae
Lisa Little, AIA is the founder and principal of Vertebrae, a multi-disciplinary art and architecture practice in Los Angeles. Her projects include private residences, large-scale public artworks, and commercial interiors, and have been featured in exhibitions and publications such as the Los Angeles Times and Interior Design. With training in both architecture and electrical engineering, she pursues a design approach informed by technological research and experimentation. Lisa holds a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc and a Bachelor of Science from Georgia Tech. She is a licensed architect in California and Adjunct Associate Professor at USC.
