Belonging to the place where we practice is meaningful, especially in a profession that often spans cities, regions, and even countries. There is something grounding about staying connected to the city we call home — understanding its neighborhoods, its people, and the everyday experiences shaped by the built environment.

Architecture for Communities Los Angeles offers a way to cultivate that connection. Through programs that inspire students, support emerging designers, and engage neighborhoods, ACLA creates space for meaningful interaction with Los Angeles. This work allows architects and designers to participate not only as professionals, but as members of the communities where they live and work.

Looking back, my experience entering the architectural profession would have been very different if I had access to an organization like ACLA as a young person. Early exposure to architecture as something tangible, community-based, and connected to real people and places would have helped me better understand what it means to be an architect — and would have made the path into the profession clearer, more accessible, and more imaginable. That perspective shapes why I believe so strongly in ACLA’s role today.

As architectural practice increasingly operates in digital space, opportunities to stay connected to place take on added value. ACLA creates moments that bring architects back into the city — into neighborhoods and conversations that connect us more directly with the people and places we serve.

Equally important is creating space for engagement in many forms. ACLA should be a place where people can contribute in different ways — through mentoring, organizing, advocating, or simply showing up. When people bring their lived experiences, professional skills, and local knowledge into this work, the impact becomes deeper, more inclusive, and more grounded.

As I step into the role of President for 2026, my focus is on strengthening ACLA as a visible and accessible platform for volunteer engagement — a pathway for the profession to stay connected to the city we live and work in. Building on the strong foundation created by past boards, volunteers, sponsors, staff, and partners, my goal is to support ACLA’s continued growth in a way that is thoughtful, sustainable, and responsive to the communities we serve.

I’m honored to serve as ACLA’s President in 2026 and look forward to working alongside this community to deepen our impact and continue shaping Los Angeles through education, engagement, and design.