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.
Dinner Series Panel: 5 Years of Impact & Investment
In this reunion-style conversation, past recipients of the Donna D Carter Scholar Program, distributed by Design Austin and AIA Austin Women in Architecture, return to share their journey beyond the impact of mentorship, monetary support, and amplified visibility. Hear where alumni are now and how sustained investment continues to shape a diverse design community in Austin.
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:
Recipient // 2022
Narsis Holmes is an intermediate designer at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in Austin, Texas. She earned her Master of Architecture from University of Texas at Austin and her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Texas Tech University. Narsis is currently completing the final steps toward architectural licensure and is passionate about continuing to grow both technically and as a leader within the profession. She was an inaugural recipient of the Women in Architecture Award, an experience that reinforced her commitment to mentorship and representation within the field. Narsis is particularly passionate about helping young Black students discover an interest in architecture and design. She enjoys mentoring students, speaking with young people about career pathways in the built environment, and encouraging the next generation to see themselves reflected in the profession. Through her work and community engagement, she hopes to help create a more inclusive and supportive future for architecture.
Recipient // 2023
Alexandra Matute-Blanco is a designer at Lake Flato Architects whose work spans architecture and urban design with a focus on sustainability and the public realm. She holds a Master of Architecture from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Architectural Design from James Madison University. Through academic and professional experiences in both the United States and Denmark, Alexandra developed an interest in human-centered environments and the role design plays in shaping everyday life. While her background is rooted in architecture, she is increasingly transitioning toward urban design, exploring how the broader urban “umbrella” can be reconfigured to support more resilient, inclusive, and socially vibrant public spaces. As a 2023 recipient of the Donna D. Carter Scholarship, Alexandra expanded her engagement beyond the design studio, becoming more involved in mentorship and advocacy within the architectural community. She has been a strong advocate for equitable design and continues to promote built environments that are accessible, inclusive, and enriching for all communities.
Recipient // 2024
Andrea D. Bailey-Ortiz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies with a Minor in Architectural History from The University of Texas at Austin. She is currently pursuing a Master of Architecture at UTSOA and recently completed the Professional Residency Program internship at Miró Rivera Architects. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Andrea’s experiences with natural disasters and her passion for sustainability and the environment have shaped her perspective on architecture—as a tool to empower and protect communities and the environment. She strives to approach design with a holistic and conscientious philosophy that considers communities’ social, economic, and environmental impacts. As a result of this approach, some of Andrea’s projects have been nominated by studio professors for Design Excellence, and she has had the opportunity to conduct research on seismic design in Japan. Her environmentally focused project, the Beez Block, was also showcased at SXSW and presented at the Camp Latinitas’ Architecture Week. This design perspective has further led to the honor of receiving the Women in Architecture Donna D. Carter WiA/Design Austin Scholarship 2024 and, recently, being featured in Austin Home’s Rising Stars 2025.
Recipient // 2025
Ji Yoon Ahn is a Master of Architecture student at the University of Texas at Austin and is currently in their final semester. Their work explores how robotic fabrication can support more sustainable material practices in architecture. Ji Yoon is particularly interested in how 6-axis robotic arms can work with discarded or irregular materials, turning waste streams into new architectural assemblies. Their research includes experiments with clay 3D printing, robotic wood milling, and timber assemblies made from reclaimed logs. Alongside their research, Ji Yoon has served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for five semesters and currently works as a Graduate Research Assistant with Professor Danelle Briscoe. As a previous recipient of the Donna D. Carter Scholarship, they are grateful for the mentorship and community the program supports. Ji Yoon plans to pursue doctoral research in architecture, focusing on robotics and circular material practices.
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.
Scholar Recipients
Ziada Araya -Undergrad Recipient
Arely Martinez- Undergrad Recipient
Hannah Ongmanchi – Undergrad Recipient
Scholar Mentors
Gabriella Bermea
Bhavani Singal
Megan McCoy