Michael Anderson, AIA, NOMA, is a distinguished architect, author, and visionary leader with more than 45 years of experience in architecture, urban planning, and economic development. He leads the Accelerated Housing and Transit Development (AHTD) initiative, a $150 billion public-private partnership revitalizing historically underserved Los Angeles communities around 24 Metro stations. Following the 2025 Eaton Fire, he launched the Altadena Rapid Housing Solution to provide displaced families with resilient housing. Anderson’s portfolio includes the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome Plaza, Compton’s MLK Jr. Transit Station, and projects at LAX. He is the author of Urban Magic: Vibrant Black and Brown Communities Are Possible.

With over 45 years of architectural leadership, I bring deep experience in community-centered design, governance, and advocacy to AIA Los Angeles. As a past AIA board member, I have advanced inclusive strategies that strengthen both the profession and the communities we serve. As leader of the $150 billion Accelerated Housing and Transit Development initiative, I’ve demonstrated the ability to mobilize large-scale public-private partnerships and deliver award-winning projects in housing, transit, aviation, and education. Author of Urban Magic, I am committed to mentorship, equity, and innovation. As Vice President, I would help position AIA|LA as a leader in shaping resilient, just cities.

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.

Los Angeles faces urgent challenges – climate, housing, equity and governance hurdles threaten our vitality and creative edge. Architects are uniquely positioned to lead a bold vision for our city’s resilient future. My focus as VP/President Elect would be:

• Launch LA Vision 2040, an urban futures campaign for a more inclusive, resilient city, using design innovation and visualization tools to engage the public.
• Position AIA|LA as a hub for dialogue and advocacy, strengthening the profession’s role in shaping urban policy.
• Partner with community organizations and champion emerging voices across our profession.

Architects are uniquely able to craft a future vision for LA built on trust and consensus, and in doing so we can reclaim our vital role in shaping a stronger, more resilient city.

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.

I’m seeking the Secretary position to assist AIA|LA governance and amplify our civic role. The Secretary’s charge: clarity, transparency, accountability, matches my values: clear communication, disciplined follow-through, and collaborative leadership centered on equity. Los Angeles faces crises no single actor can solve: climate risk, inequitable housing policies, a public realm that too often fails people, and underinvestment in civic infrastructure. Progress requires collective action: aligning disciplines, communities, and institutions toward shared outcomes. My goal is holistic practice: braiding design leadership, governance, and stewardship so our Chapter delivers durable, city-scale change, and a culture of trust that invites broad, sustained participation.

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.

The role of the architect has been diminished, reduced to a transactional step in a larger process, even as our responsibilities have grown. We face greater pressure than ever: compressed timelines, expanding scopes, and escalating client expectations, all while striving for balance and meaning in our work. AIA|LA must be a force for recalibrating that balance, reasserting our value, and helping us evolve without losing our purpose. I bring the perspective of someone who has adapted through change and can bridge emerging professionals with the business of architecture to ensure we remain vital, empowered, and forward-leading as a profession.

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.

I believe our profession is strongest when architects at every stage of their careers feel connected, supported, and inspired. As a Board Member, I will focus on creating opportunities that foster mentorship and community across generations. Through the Membership Committee, I will work to develop programs that showcase our members’ talents and provide meaningful ways to learn from one another. I also plan to launch an “Emerging Voices” series—pairing early- and mid-career architects with experienced leaders. My goal is to help AIA|LA remain inclusive, welcoming, and relevant for architects today and for the next generation.

William Robertson, AIA, LEED AP, is the President and CEO of Design Build Labs, an architecture and construction firm specializing in commercial, healthcare, and energy projects. With over two decades of experience, he leads projects ranging from large-scale retrofits to creative headquarters and energy systems. A Cornell University graduate, William blends design, strategy, and technical expertise to deliver integrated solutions under one roof. He serves on the Cornell Council, chaired the Cornell Fund of Los Angeles, and has supported educational nonprofits. Licensed in California, he is recognized for innovation, leadership, and a hands-on approach to complex, mission-driven projects.

Design shapes how we live, work, and heal, yet too often, spaces are created without fully hearing those who inhabit them.

Design Democracy challenges the top-down design process, replacing it with a collaborative, empathetic, data-driven approach. True democracy in design requires reforming planning and permitting systems that slow innovation and favor privilege over community needs. By listening deeply, even to uncomfortable truths, we can transform architecture into a catalyst for collective success. This is a call to democratize design, embrace discomfort, and create environments that reflect diverse voices while navigating a reimagined approval process that accelerates progress and inclusion.

Severine Tatangelo, DPLG, Intl. Assoc. AIA, is a French-born design professional and founder of StudioPCH, established in Malibu in 2008 and now based in Venice, CA. With more than two decades of experience, she has designed internationally recognized hospitality and residential projects, including Nobu restaurants and hotels, Universal Music Group Studios, and bespoke private commissions worldwide. A talented designer in good standing, she blends craftsmanship with cultural sensitivity and a deep appreciation for California’s landscapes and communities. As Chair of AIA|LA’s Interior Architecture Committee, she advances interiors as a vital force in shaping daily experiences and creative culture.

As a candidate for AIA|LA Director, I will continue to champion collaboration and partnership as essential to strengthening our profession. Through my leadership as Chair of the Interior Architecture Committee, I have built bridges with premiere cultural, educational, and architectural institutions, fostering cross-pollination and making design dialogue accessible to all. As an accomplished designer with international experience, I bring both creative rigor and a unique perspective rooted in my deep love for California. By expanding relationships with the broader community, I aim to enrich AIA|LA’s programming, strengthen its chapters, and advance architecture as a shared cultural force.

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.

Los Angeles is brimming with small, exceptionally talented architecture firms. Our size makes us agile, creative, and innovative—qualities urgently needed to address the many challenges LA faces. We make up 70% of the AIA LA membership, yet too often our potential is overlooked. As a member of the AIA LA Board of Directors, my goal is to expand services for small firms, strengthen engagement and participation, and raise public awareness of our design contributions—thereby increasing the value AIA LA provides. Elevating small-firm representation will ensure these practices have a stronger voice in shaping the future of our city.

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.

As Ex Officio Associate Director, I will actively advocate for emerging professionals by expanding mentorship, strengthening access to licensure, and ensuring Associate AIA voices are heard with clarity and care. I am committed to building a culture of inclusion that reflects Los Angeles’ diversity and uplifts those historically underrepresented in the profession. My experience leading cross-disciplinary organizations and developing professional development programs has prepared me to co-lead the Emerging Professionals Committee and foster opportunities for growth, collaboration, and representation. I see this role as a platform to bridge education, practice, and advocacy while cultivating the next generation of architects.

I am an Architectural Design and Urban Planning Professional from Milwaukee, now based in Los Angeles. I hold a master’s degree in architecture and urban planning from Virginia Tech. My experience spans healthcare, housing, K-12, aviation, and high-rise projects. A Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and AmeriCorps alum, I’m also the Founder of Global Youth Camp AEP, a nonprofit introducing youth to architecture, engineering, and planning. I’m currently pursuing architectural licensure in California and an MBA at Pepperdine University (Class of 2026), with a passion for advancing inclusive, community-focused design through education and leadership.

As Ex-Officio Associate Director, I aim to support AIALA’s mission by guiding Emerging Professionals through inclusive leadership, sustainability, and community engagement. Aligning with the AIA 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, my goal is to help bridge generational gaps and make the organization more accessible and inspiring—especially for younger members of the profession. I’m passionate about promoting licensure, strengthening collaboration with allied organizations, and expanding outreach to youth. By sharing the value of architecture and design with future generations, we can foster a more diverse, connected, and vibrant professional community.