AIA Austin WiA Presents: Donna D Carter Scholar Celebration Dinner Series
Thursday March 26th, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Purchase your tickets
Join us for an evening of inspiration, recognition, and meaningful impact hosted by the AIA Austin Women in Architecture Committee.
The 5th Annual Donna D. Carter Scholar Celebration Dinner honors this year’s Scholar Program recipients while commemorating five years of investing in the future of a diverse design community.
The evening will feature a special panel conversation, “5 Years of Impact and Investment,” highlighting past Donna D. Carter Scholar recipients, fund founder, and previous mentor, as they reflect on how the program has shaped their educational and professional journeys.
Gather with the Women in Architecture community in a stunning space—previously featured as a WiA site tour—complete with sweeping Capitol views. Guests will enjoy appetizers, dinner, dessert, and drinks while connecting with leaders, advocates, and emerging voices in design. Cocktail attire is admired but not required.
Find out more about The Donna D. Carter Scholar Program, distributed by AIA Austin Women in Architecture (WiA) and Design Austin (DA), 501(c)3.
Further venue details will be provided with ticket purchase.
Moderator:
Stephanie Lemmo
Founder of the Donna D Carter Scholar Program
Stephanie Lemmo is a Principal and Co-founder of Lemmo Architecture and Design. 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 eighteen years of experience, she previously worked for prestigious firms in Boston and New York City, specializing in institutional projects and developing 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 in 2022, was a member of the Texas Society of Architects Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee, and also served six years on City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division Art in Public Places Panel, two as chair. In 2023, she was appointed as a Texas Society of Architects Committee Executive Trustee, and she is currently serving on the board of AIA Austin as treasurer. Stephanie’s community-driven volunteer work was recognized when she was named a finalist in Austin Under 40 in the AEC category.
Panel:
Narsis Holmes
Recipient // 2022
Alexandra Matute-Blanco
Recipient // 2023
Andrea Bailey-Ortiz
Recipient // 2024
Ji Yoon Ahn
Recipient // 2025
Carina Coel, AIA
Mentor, Subcommittee Chair
Carina Coel is the Founder and Principal Architect of Austin-based residential architecture firm Restructure Studio and sustainable home plan provider Arbor Plans. After graduating from Rice University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, she has worked in the architectural field in Austin since 2003 and launched Restructure Studio in 2010. Ms. Coel is recognized in the community for her ability to create designs that are both sustainable and representative of the individual client.
Carina is also proud to have served Austin’s thriving design community as Chair for AIA Austin’s Women in Architecture (WiA) committee in 2023, and as the current Chair of the JEDI committee. She happily resides in South Austin with her husband, two active children and Boston Terrier.
Scholarship Recipients