2026 Board of Directors

Nkiru Gelles, AIA

President

Nkiru Nicole Mokwe Gelles, AIA, NOMA, is a Nigerian-born architect based in Austin, Texas. Born in Lagos, she relocated to the United Kingdom in the early 1990s. She earned her undergraduate degree in architecture from University College London (UCL) and later completed her master's at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Her professional journey has taken her through diverse global locales, including New York City and Hong Kong, before settling in Austin with her husband in 2014. ​

Professionally, Nkiru serves as an Associate at SOM, contributing her expertise to various architectural projects. In addition to her architectural practice, Nkiru is deeply involved in community initiatives. She serves as a design commissioner for District 3 in Austin, where she influences urban development and planning decisions. Her engagement with organizations such as AIA Austin's Women in Architecture committee highlights her dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion within the field. ​

David Carroll, AIA

President-Elect

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Design Commission for the last ten years, in this capacity, David is currently leading the effort to rewrite the city’s outdated Urban Design Guidelines.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.

Burton Baldridge, FAIA

Past President

Burton Baldridge is the founder and principal architect of Baldridge Architects, a firm based in Austin, Texas. Born in Texas, Burton spent roughly half his life in Austin, witnessing its evolution over the years. ​

Before pursuing architecture, Burton earned a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas in 1990. He then obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law in 1993. After practicing as a commercial litigator in New York for four years, he shifted careers, earning a Master of Architecture from Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation in 1999. ​

Burton's professional experience includes positions at Peter Gluck and Partners Architects, a+i design corp., and Deamer & Phillips. In 2006, he founded Baldridge Architects, which has since completed various projects, including the Arrive Austin hotel, the Gardner Restaurant, the Waller Creek installation, and the firm's own offices. ​

Stephanie Lemmo, Assoc. AIA

Treasurer

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.

Blair McKay, AIA

Secretary

​Blair McKay serves as the Advocacy & Policies Commissioner for AIA Austin, where he leads initiatives to promote the organization's values and engage with local communities. Professionally, Blair is an architect at Page Southerland Page, Inc. He has actively participated in public forums, advocating for equitable transit-oriented developments and housing policies to address Austin's growth challenges. His commitment extends to chairing the Housing Advocacy Committee, focusing on aligning Austin's development with the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan.

David Goujon, AIA

TxA Director

David Goujon is a Mexican-born architect, developer, and community leader based in Austin, Texas. Born in Mexico and raised in Houston, he earned his B.S. in Construction Management from Colorado State University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Houston.

As the founder of Land & Design, a boutique architecture and development firm, David specializes in bespoke residential and small commercial projects. His approach combines his construction management experience with architectural expertise, emphasizing thoughtful design and community engagement. ​

Beyond his professional endeavors, David is deeply committed to community service. He currently serves as the chair of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center Advisory Board, leading a $27 million expansion project in collaboration with Miro Rivera Architects and Tatiana Bilbao. This initiative aims to enhance cultural and artistic experiences for the Austin community. ​David's advocacy extends to addressing urban development challenges, particularly in preserving Latino culture amid East Austin's gentrification. In response to the demolition of the Jumpolin piñata store in 2015, he created public art installations to highlight cultural loss and stimulate community dialogue. ​

His leadership roles include serving as Treasurer for the Austin Foundation for Architecture and as an Advisory Board Member for ACE Mentor of Austin. He has also chaired the Latinos in Architecture Committee of AIA Austin, working to increase diversity within the architectural field. In 2017, he was honored as the AIA Austin Associate Member of the Year.

Janki DePalma

Membership/Community Building Commissioner

​Janki DePalma is a seasoned business development professional based in Austin, Texas, with over 20 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Since 2006, she has been an integral part of the Austin community, currently serving as the Director of Business Development for W.E. O'Neil Construction. ​

Originally from San Francisco, Janki began her career in the AEC sector with a marketing agency specializing in law firm marketing. She later transitioned to roles with a civil engineering firm and a large general contractor. After relocating to Austin, she consulted with an architecture firm and led business development efforts for a structural engineering firm's satellite office. In 2024, she joined W.E. O'Neil Construction to expand the company's presence in the Texas market. ​

Beyond her professional endeavors, Janki is deeply committed to community involvement. She has held leadership positions in organizations such as the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), Urban Land Institute (ULI), Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Notably, she was honored with the 2023 SMPS Chapter President of the Year award for her exceptional leadership of the Austin chapter. ​
Janki is also a passionate mentor, dedicated to supporting professionals across generations. She believes in making others' paths easier, acknowledging the guidance she has received throughout her career.

Jason John Paul Haskins, AIA

Public Role & Advocacy Commissioner

With a focus on enacting and embodying solidarity, subsidiarity, and human dignity in the built environment, affordable housing architect and advocate Jason John Paul Haskins, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, serves as the Director of Construction and Design for Foundation Communities and is the Principal Architect and Founder of habitavit. Additionally, they are the AIA Austin Board Advocacy Commissioner and on the Executive Committee of the Austin Housing Coalition.

Jason’s expertise includes multi-family, mixed-use, workplace, and institutional place-making. Participatory design, multi-disciplinary planning, emerging technologies, and data-driven design play significant roles in their process.

Jason’s affordable housing experience spans the gamut of housing typologies, design styles, affordability programs, and funding mechanisms, and it includes architecture as well as development. Their current projects explore the physical implications of trauma-informed design and strategies to enhance the longevity of buildings, sustainably efficient operations, and life-cycle cost reductions to improve the quality of life for residents.

Viviana Treviño George, AIA

Outreach Commissioner

Shelby Blessing, AIA

Practice Commissioner

Shelby Blessing, AIA, believes that all design has a social impact, and that designers have a responsibility to maximize the positive social impact of their work. As Senior Associate and Senior Architect at Page, now Stantec, Shelby collaborates with teammates and clients to create innovative learning environments, dense urban living, and unique public spaces that promote interaction and community. She approaches each project with a zeal for creative problem solving, tolerance of complexity, attention to detail, and empathy for everyone involved in the design process and impacted by the resulting building. Shelby holds a B.A. in Art from Whitman College and an M. Arch from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was part of the inaugural Public Interest Design program. She was named a 2020 Person of the Year by Tribeza Magazine, was the 2018 recipient of AIA Austin’s Emerging Professional Achievement Award, and co-founded the AIA Austin Leadership Collective.

Kirsten Cessna

Public Member

Conner Jenkins

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.

Ryan Shipley

Public Member

George Blume, AIA

At Large Member

George Blume is a Design Principal at HOK's Austin studio, bringing nearly two decades of experience in architecture. Born in Texas, he moved to Austin in the late 1980s and pursued his undergraduate studies in English at the University of Texas in the 1990s. He later earned a Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech University. ​

Before joining HOK in 2022, George spent 12 years at Gensler, where he served as a Design Director. His portfolio includes award-winning projects across corporate, commercial, mixed-use, and residential sectors, with a focus on placemaking and integrating natural environments. ​

As a long-time Austin resident, George is committed to designing transformative spaces that enhance the community. He is a registered architect and interior designer, affiliated with organizations such as the American Institute of Architects, International Interior Design Association, and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. ​

Amalia Carmona, AIA

At Large Member

Amalia is an architect and urban designer based in Austin, Texas. She currently serves as the Director of Urban Design at the Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA) where she brings her design background to a variety of placemaking, planning and mobility initiatives. She approaches her work with a multi-disciplinary lens, overseeing community engagement, inclusive design development, and project implementation.

At the DAA, Amalia works at a variety of urban scales, from public art initiatives to regional-scaled infrastructure investments. In addition to managing urban projects, Amalia leads and supports the organization's Mobility and Built Environment Committees.

Amalia has Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Urban Design degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She is an active AIA Austin member, serving on the Urban Design Committee and the Advocacy Board's Mobility Committee. In addition to AIA Austin, Amalia serves on Austin Outside’s 2026 Board of Directors.

Donna Carter, FAIA

At Large Member

Donna Carter, FAIA, NOMA, NCARB permanently made Texas her home after earning her Masters of Architecture at the University of California at Berkeley after receiving a Bachelor of Arts education at Yale University, joining the second class to include female undergraduates. Taking advantage of travel opportunities in both high school and college, her interest in community building, architecture, cultural and building restoration were nurtured by extended period in Great Britain, and the American University in Cairo, Egypt.

She began her professional career with Brooks Barr Graeber and White as it transitioned to #D/Internation and later became Graeber Simmons and Cowan. In 1985, Donna founded Carter Design Associates, a multidisciplinary architectural, preservation, and planning firm, forging a space where those disciplines intersect and where everyone has a place. The firm has been honored with numerous local and state design and preservation awards, including a TxA Design Award for the restoration of the Texas and Pacific Terminal Waiting Room in Fort Worth, Texas.

Seeking to give back to her profession she has been active in AIA Austin and TxA since the 80’s including Austin RUDAT and RUDAT implementation. Beyond her professional endeavors, Donna has actively contributed to civic social and cultural initiatives in Austin including task forces and the Mueller Commission. She has served on the Texas Historical Commission, over 15 years on the Board of Seton and Ascension Hospitals in Austin, Huston Tillotson University, and a founding board member of ECHO.

Milton Hime, FAIA

At Large Member

Milton Hime, FAIA, is the founding principal of Studio8 Architects, an Austin-based firm specializing in architecture, interior design, and sustainability consulting. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Milton earned degrees in architecture and engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Before establishing Studio8 in 2003, he gained experience working with notable Austin firms, including those led by Gordon Bohmfalk and L.M. Holder III, and served as a principal at STG Design. ​

Under Milton's leadership, Studio8 has become renowned for its commitment to community service, collaborating with over 25 nonprofits to address issues such as food insecurity, homelessness, healthcare inequities, education, child development, and social justice. Notable projects include work with organizations like Caritas of Austin, the Central Texas Food Bank, and People's Community Clinic. ​

Milton's dedication to both the profession and the community has been widely recognized. In 2015, he was elevated to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows, an honor given to architects who have made significant contributions to the field. Additionally, the Texas Society of Architects honored him with the Community Service Award, acknowledging his extensive volunteer work and leadership in various civic organizations. ​

Todd Kaiser, AIA

At Large Member

Lisa Storer, Assoc. AIA

At Large Member

Lisa Storer is a sustainability advocate working on large multi-disciplinary projects that transform the public realm. She is the Vice President of Architecture, Urban Design and Sustainability at Austin Transit Partnership, which will bring much-needed transit improvements, including light rail, to Austin. Previously, she was at the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department focused primarily on the Waterloo Greenway program, which is transforming 35 acres of downtown Austin with new public parks, accessible trails, and a restored Waller Creek to connect people to nature in the center of the city.

Lisa has over twenty years working in the built environment and enjoys collaborating on integrated projects with strong ecological and community goals that bridge architecture, engineering and landscape architecture. She previously worked at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center developing the SITES Rating System for sustainable land design and development, now administered internationally by GBCI. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Location, Transportation, and Planning Technical Advisory Group (LP TAG) for LEED, on the Board of Directors of AIA Austin and the US Green Building Council’s Texas Chapter, and as part of ULI Austin’s Local Climate Council.

Evan Taniguchi, AIA

At Large Member

Evan Taniguchi, AIA, is the Principal and Owner of Taniguchi Architects, a firm established by his father, Alan Taniguchi, in 1952. Evan assumed leadership of the practice in 1998 and has continued his family's architectural legacy. Under Evan's leadership, the firm has contributed significantly to Austin's architectural landscape, with projects such as the Palmer Events Center, the Norman Hackerman Building at the University of Texas, Welch Hall at UT Austin, and the Blue Hole Regional Park.

Beyond his architectural practice, Evan has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including the New School of Music, Planned Parenthood, the Austin History Center, and the Japanese-American National Museum. Notably, he was a chair for the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan Task Force from 2009 to 2012, playing a pivotal role in its approval by the City Council. ​

In recognition of his outstanding service, the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects established the Alan Taniguchi, FAIA Award for Public Architecture, named in honor of his father. This award celebrates significant contributions to public architecture in the Austin area.

Kory Bieg, AIA

University of Texas (UT) Liaison

Charlton Lewis is currently in his sixth year as the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture (UTSOA), and is a Margaret McDermott Centennial Teaching Fellow in Architecture. He has taught continuously at UTSOA since the fall of 2006, focusing primarily on studio design courses.

Charlton serves frequently in various service capacities at both The School and university levels and is the faculty liaison for the UTSOA student chapters of AIAS, NOMAS, and Ampersand. He is also currently serving on the board of the Pease Park Conservancy.

Charlton earned his Post-Professional Master and Bachelor of Architecture both from The University of Texas School of Architecture.

Nataly Herrera, AIAS

University of Texas (UT) Student Liaison (AIAS)

Cassidy Wong, NOMAS

University of Texas (UT) Student Liaison (NOMAS)

Maanasa Nathan, Assoc. AIA

National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Liaison

Maanasa Nathan is a Project Manager and designer at Furman + Keil Architects. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in architecture and liberal arts, she brings an interdisciplinary lens to her work—one that blends research, building performance, and human-centered, site-specific design.

An Austin native, Maanasa is committed to serving the community that inspired her to pursue a career in architecture and design. She believes well-designed spaces have the power to inform experiences and foster strong connections between people and the spaces they occupy. Her interest in building science and sustainability drives her desire to develop design solutions that are lasting, resilient, and accessible to many communities.

Maanasa is an advocate for diversity and inclusivity within the design and construction fields. She is an active member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Central Texas Chapter, and she served as Communications Committee Director from 2023–2025. She also served as the AIA Women in Architecture (WiA) Homes Tour Subcommittee Chair in 2024. She enjoys volunteering with and providing mentorship to young people exploring careers in architecture and is dedicated to contributing to initiatives that support and highlight the contributions of underrepresented groups within the profession.