FARNOOSH FARMER

President

Farnoosh Farmer is an architectural and urban designer based in L.A. Her concentration is on cultural intersections and the ways in which obliterated histories can evolve and integrate into contemporary practices. 

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. 

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. 

RYAN CONROY

Minister of Finance

Ryan Conroy 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. 

MARISSA GLUCK

INFO Committee

Marissa Gluck 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

INFO Committee

Ben is an architect and project manager at Koning Eizenberg Architecture, 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.

NATE COLE

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 Director of Marketing at HMC Architects. 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. 

QUYNH NGUYEN

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. 

JEMMA BALLANTYNE

Fundraising Committee

Jemma Ballantyne was born in Scotland, raised in Spain, and spent years in London before landing in L.A. via Silicon Valley. Her experience combines brand marketing, live events and cultural programming, spanning music, hospitality, and tech. Committed to fostering creativity and human connection, her work reflects a passion for meaningful engagement.

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.

ALEXANDER BATTISTI

Vice President of Operations Committee

Alexander Battisti 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.  

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.