Board of Directors 2025

Burton Baldridge, AIA

2025 President

Nkiru Gelles, AIA

2025 President-Elect

Stephanie Lemmo, Assoc. AIA

Secretary

Stephanie Lemmo is principal and co-owner of Lemmo Architecture and Design, an award winning architecture office based in Austin, Texas.  She received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Rice University. Originally born in Puebla, Mexico, and having grown up on the Texas Mexico border, Stephanie has strong roots with her Hispanic heritage and multicultural background. With over fifteen years of experience, she previously worked for prestigious firms in Boston and New York City where she specialized in institutional projects and developed an interest in both architecture and landscape design. Stephanie has taught a comprehensive design studio at the University of Texas School of Architecture where she is often a design critic. As an advocate for a more equitable future, she has served as the AIA Austin Women In Architecture Chair and was a member of the Texas Society of Architects Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee. In 2023, she was appointed as a Texas Society of Architects Committee Executive Trustee and was also a finalist in Austin under 40 in the AEC category. She is currently serving as Chair for the City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division Art in Public Places Panel and is now serving on the board of AIA Austin as secretary.

David Carroll, AIA

Treasurer

David Carroll is the Founder and Director of the Multifamily Studio at Urban Foundry Architecture. He has an expertise in the urban environment which has led the Austin City Council to appoint David to the Design Commission for the last ten years, in this capacity, David is currently leading the effort to rewrite the city’s outdated Urban Design Guidelines. In 2019 City Council also appointed David to the Joint Sustainability Committee to oversee the development of the city’s new Climate Equity Plan. David was also appointed to the Downtown Commission in 2024. For his work in advocacy and urban design related issues, David was awarded the AIA Austin President’s Award in 2016 and in 2018 he received the AIA Austin John Nyfeler Award for Community Service for his work with Austin’s Land Development Code Revision. AIA National also recognized David as one of their Citizen Architects in 2021. Throughout his career, David has been a leader in Multifamily Architecture, and Affordable Housing, and to this end, he also serves as the Vice President of the Chestnut Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation (CNRC), a community-based non-profit that develops affordable housing. In 2021, CNRC received the AIA Austin Community Vision Award for their work in bringing affordable for sale homes to east Austin.

David Goujon, AIA

TxA Director

Sophia Razzaque, AIA

Past President

Blair McKay, AIA

Advocacy & Policies Commissioner

Emily Haydon, Assoc. AIA

Membership/Community Building Commissioner

Arlene Ellwood, AIA

Outreach Commissioner

Arlene Ellwood is the Design Manager at Mobile Loaves & Fishes, which operates Community First! Village - 51 acres of permanent, supportive, and affordable housing for our formerly homeless neighbors in Austin, TX.
Arlene was chair of the AIA Austin DesignVoice committee in 2024, amplifying voices of underrepresented communities in the design field by working on projects with Magdalene House and Sunrise Homeless Navigation Hub.
She holds an M. Architecture degree and a B.S. Architectural Engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and has work experience in arts-based planning and community engagement.
She is deeply committed to inclusive, community-engaged, and trauma-informed design, and believes that good architecture can promote dignity and change stereotypes.

Molly Hubbs, AIA

Practice Commissioner

Laura Bryant

Public Member

Laura Bryant, PLA
Senior Associate at Word and Carr Design Group

Laura Bryant is a Landscape Architect at Word and Carr Design Group, with experience on a broad range of projects, including urban parks, streetscapes, campuses and private residences. Her work is derived from an appreciation of natural processes and a sensitive understanding of human interaction within the environment.

Past projects include the Pease Park Conservancy Master Plan, the Atlanta BeltLine, Congress Avenue pedestrian bridge and 1100 Springs Plaza at the historic Pearl district in San Antonio. Laura continued her involvement with Pease Park Conservancy, serving as board chair in 2020 overseeing transformative change first conceived in the original plan. Recognition includes awards from national ASLA, national ULI, Texas ASLA and Texas APA.

She holds a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Georgia. With a collaborative spirit in investigation and design development, Laura sees design as an opportunity to create meaningful, beautiful places.

Janki DePalma

Public Member

Whitney Knight

Public Member

S.W. “Whitney” Knight is a partner at Allensworth, an Austin-based construction law firm. Her practice focuses on strategically crafting and negotiating large-scale commercial construction contracts. As a native Austinite, she leverages her deep roots in the local business community to draft and negotiate a diverse range of contracts for design professionals, developers, and contractors. Whitney's extensive experience allows her to quickly identify and resolve key contractual issues, enabling her clients to navigate projects efficiently and avoid impasse and delays. She is also recognized for her ability to anticipate potential challenges in negotiations, which fosters innovative solutions that mitigate risks, enhance opportunities, and protect her clients against costly disputes.
In addition to her contract work, Whitney serves as outside counsel for architecture and engineering firms, providing guidance on daily legal matters such as risk avoidance and payment disputes. Her commitment to the Austin community extends beyond her legal practice; she actively participates in various local nonprofits, including her roles as Chair of the Downtown Austin Alliance and Secretary of the Board of Trustees for Good Shepherd Episcopal School. Outside of her professional endeavors, Whitney enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and discovering new culinary experiences in Austin.

Mikel Bennett, AIA

At Large

Mikel received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma in 2001 and joined Chioco Design in 2014. She has international experience working at firms in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and London, including Zaha Hadid Architects. While in New York, Mikel attended Parsons, The New School for Design where she studied and worked in the fashion industry. This experience provided her with a deeper knowledge of materiality and processes of design at any scale. In addition to residential and commercial work, Mikel's experience includes museums and educational facilities.
Mikel was also on the founding board of NOMA of Central Texas and helped form the AIA Austin LGBTQIA+ Alliance. She is currently the JEDI chair and on the publications board of Texas Architect Magazine.

George Blume, AIA

At Large

Donna Carter, FAIA

At Large

Milton Hime, FAIA

At Large

Bryan Jones, AIA

At Large

Bryan has spent the last two decades contributing to Austin's evolving landscape, specializing in commercial mixed-use projects that prioritize innovation, functionality, and sustainability. As a design leader, he has guided teams through several significant projects in the city, combining modern architectural solutions with Austin’s cultural identity.
 
A graduate of The University of Oklahoma, Bryan has a strong belief in collaboration. He values diverse perspectives and enjoys working closely with the skilled craftspeople who bring designs to life. His career with Beck has primarily focused on Design Build projects, offering him a comprehensive understanding of the project process and direct involvement with the teams responsible for their success.
 
Bryan’s portfolio includes a range of projects, from mixed-use retail spaces to high-rise offices and resort hotels. Beyond his design work, Bryan is committed to mentoring the next generation of architects, helping young professionals navigate the industry while encouraging creativity and success both personally and professionally.
 
In addition to his work, Bryan is an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Austin, where he advocates for design excellence, public policy, and sustainable urban development. He has contributed to several initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration between architects, urban planners, and the local community.
 
Outside of work, Bryan enjoys Austin's music scene, participating in community projects focused on sustainable growth, and exploring the city's culinary offerings with his family.

Lisa Storer, Assoc. AIA

At Large

Evan Taniguchi, AIA

At Large

Charlton Lewis

University of Texas (UT) Liaison

Brooklynn Cnare, AIAS

University of Texas (UT) Student Liaison (Spring)

Brooklynn Cnare is a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Texas at Austin. She serves as Vice President of the UT chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), where she enjoys fostering connections between students and the vibrant Austin architecture community.
Brooklynn’s involvement at UT extends beyond architecture. She has participated in Texas 4000 for Cancer, a program that develops student leaders and engages communities in the fight against cancer. This initiative includes an 18-month leadership program culminating in a 4,000-mile bike ride from Austin, TX, to Anchorage, AK. Additionally, she played mellophone and French horn in the Longhorn Band.
Currently, Brooklynn works as an independent contractor, specializing in air barrier and waterproofing installation drawings. Her diverse experiences reflect her dedication to leadership, building community, and continuous learning.

Lana Pei Liang

University of Texas (UT) Student Liaison (Summer, Fall)

Lana Pei Liang is a second-year Bachelor of Architecture student at the University of Texas at Austin. She currently serves as the Graphics Co-Chair for the UT Austin chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), contributing to crafting visual content and promoting chapter initiatives.

Ray Santana-Linares, Assoc. AIA

National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Liaison