FARNOOSH FARMER

President

Farnoosh is an architectural and urban designer whose work explores cultural intersections and the ways in which overlooked histories can shape contemporary practices. She is the principal partner of AA I FF STUDIO, an interscalar design studio bridging a wide spectrum of project types across conceptual and practical realms. Farnoosh draws on her multicultural perspective to explore community needs and strengthen the organization’s evolving mission. 

KATE HOLMQUIST

Vice President

Kate is a multi-disciplinary Urban Planner and Landscape Architect with bi-coastal and international experience across all sectors and on all sides of sustainable development. They are a Planner at the Port of Long Beach, founder of the urban planning consultancy WerkSTADT, and are passionate about supporting and celebrating equitable, resilient, and human-centered cities and communities. 

JULIA POWLES

Executive Committee

Julia is a law professor and executive director of the UCLA Institute for Technology, Law & Policy, where she leads international research at the intersection of tech development and public accountability. She is energized by urban environments as vital sites for collective agency and creative intervention. 

RYAN CONROY

Minister of Finance

Ryan is a practicing architect and Director of Architecture at cityLAB UCLA. In collaboration with Kevin Daly Architects, he has been recognized for his work designing new models of multifamily housing and climate-adaptive, net-zero construction. Ryan has taught at UCLA and UC Berkeley, and has contributed to research publications at Los Angeles City Planning. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from UCLA and holds a Master of Architecture from UC Berkeley. 

EL LARSON

Vice President of GRANTS Committee

El is a wellness designer and sound practitioner who helps to balance internal and external environments. After 20+ years of holistic practice, she sought to apply concepts of well-being to built spaces. She is certified in Feng Shui, accredited in WELL and Fitwel, and is a realtor. 

ASHLE FAUVRE

GRANTS Committee

Ashle is a licensed architect in the state of California where she has practiced for over a decade. With a background in contemporary art history and social practice, Ashle seeks opportunities to bring phenomenal and democratic experiences of place into everyday life through design crafted to context. She is a Senior Associate at Kadre Architects.

MARISSA GLUCK

INFO Committee

Marissa is a digital experience strategist who has spanned the agency and publisher worlds working with companies as diverse as Spotify, Nike, and Disney. She’s also an urbanism and architecture writer and a former principal of the design-cum-civic engagement non-profit Design East of La Brea.

BEN HIDALGO

Vice President of INFO Committee

Ben is an architect and project manager at AERO COLLECTIVE, focusing on affordable housing projects around Los Angeles. Ben has worked on a number of award winning projects throughout the US. Whether it is through architecture or photography, Ben takes pleasure in bringing joy to people’s lives.

RAFFY MARDIROSSIAN

INFO Committee

Raffy is an architect and the co-founder of the LA-based architecture practice, DOMM, where he works on projects ranging from single and multi-family residences, to spaces for learning and exhibition. Raffy is also a founding member of the architecture publication PAX Monographs.

JAI KUMARAN

INFO Committee

Jai is an architect and founding partner at West of West. Driven by curiosity and commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration, his work explores how art, culture, design and technology can shape contemporary life. He is dedicated to building a world centered on optimism and design excellence. Jai is a longtime supporter of the arts, a licensed architect, and member of the AIA.

QUYNH NGUYEN

Co-Vice President of Membership Committee

Co-Producer & Copy Editor of the FIVE PLACES L.A. podcast

Quynh is a writer specializing in brand identity and content strategy. She hones authentic and nuanced narratives in lieu of traditional PR/branding practices and creates messaging tailored for target audiences. Her practice includes coaching clients--architects, designers, artists, and entrepreneurs, on how to talk about themselves and their work. 

NATE COLE

Co-Vice President of Membership Committee

Nate came to California by way of Madison, Wisconsin, and has nearly 20 years of experience working with architecturally significant real estate. He specializes in the representation of buyers and sellers of unique and historic homes.

KELLY MORRISON

Vice President of the Fundraising Committee

Kelly is the Business Development Leader at CannonDesign. She is dedicated to making a positive impact for all in the built environment. A fifth-generation Californian, she believes there is no better place to help shape skylines or celebrate communities than LA. 

BRIAN LINDER

Fundraising Committee

Brian is the founder of THE VALUE OF ARCHITECTURE, a Los Angeles–based brokerage focused on architect-designed properties. Working at the intersection of design and real estate, he represents significant modern and contemporary homes throughout Southern California. A longtime advocate for architecture as both cultural and economic value, he has lectured at UCLA Extension and contributes regularly to design discourse.

ALEXANDER BATTISTI

Vice President of Operations Committee

Alexander is an East Coast native and avid art collector with experience in finance, technology, and entrepreneurship. He is a 2018 graduate of Lafayette College who received his MBA from UCLA Anderson in 2023. A lifelong lover of architecture and design, he relocated to Los Angeles in 2021.  

ROBERTO PAZ

Fundraising Committee

Roberto is an architect and founder of Paz Navas Architecture. His work focuses on a progressive approach to house design, driven by the conviction that innovative and thoughtful architectural solutions can effectively address critical challenges in housing availability, environmental impact, and quality of life.

ROMAN JASTER

Operations Committee

Roman is a graphic designer and web developer. He is the principal of the design studio Yay Brigade and teaches at CalArts. Roman finds delight in baking hearty loaves of bread, contemplating the etymology of English and German words, and finding a printed newspaper by his front door every morning. 

TYLER ADAMS

Operations Committee

Tyler is an acoustical engineer and Principal of Acousthetics, a firm specializing in innovative acoustical materials for architecture and design. His work engages the intersection of architecture, engineering, and design, collaborating with architects and designers across diverse project types. He is interested in advancing interdisciplinary conversations that shape the future of our built environment. 

KEVIN SHEPPARD

Operations Committee

Kevin is a licensed architect and Senior Associate at Bestor Architecture who also serves on the Highland Park–Garvanza HPOZ Board. His design philosophy centers on iterative processes, contextual sensitivity, and an understanding of how people actually inhabit spaces.