ACLA Board of Directors
Pooja is an architect with over 20 years of experience in award winning mixed-use and multi-family housing projects. She has designed, detailed and managed diverse built projects that have demonstrated innovative design which have contributed positively to the urban fabric, engage the community, transformed the lives of those who occupy them and have enjoyed exceptional economic success.
Is a Principal at HED where she serves as the National Housing and Mixed-Use Sector Operations Leader. She has extensive experience with large complex projects and client stakeholder groups, utilizing her ability to effectively steer projects from inception through construction, with emphasis on collaboration and clear workflow. As Operations Leader, Yu-Ming works with her team to advance quality control, production standards, and project delivery. She supports and guides project teams to achieve measurable project performance to promote business growth and firm initiatives. Yu-Ming has established strong connections outside her organization to advocate and support inclusive leadership, mentorship, and career development. She served as 2022 co-chair for the AIA Los Angeles – Women in Architecture committee and is currently the 2024 Chair for the WWT(Women Working Together), a group dedicated to driving growth and leadership for women professionals across the AEC+O industry in Southern California.
Francisco brings over 13 years of architectural design expertise to the Ware Malcomb team. As Senior Project Designer, he is responsible for design concept, project design and coordination development and designing proper detailing for the project.
Francisco is an active member of the AIA currently serving as Ex-Officio Associate Director for the Los Angeles Chapter.
Mark has over 30 years of experience in architectural design. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University and his Master of Architecture from Harvard GSD. His experience includes work in several internationally recognized architectural firms on projects ranging from the Universal Headquarters (unbuilt) in Los Angeles to the Getty Center in Brentwood, CA, and the New England Aquarium addition in Boston.
He is the Design Principal at AECOM overseeing a broad range of multidisciplinary projects in education, research, and workplace in the US and internationally.
Mark has taught studios at Cal-Poly Pomona, USC, and SCI-Arc as well as participating in Juries at Yale,
Harvard GSD, and UCLA, among others.
Ziba is Vice President of Design at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, a global creator and operator of sustainable destinations that connect people and communities through
meaningful shared experiences. As an architect committed to making impactful contribution to advancing diversity, engaging communities, and advocating for good design, she serves on the board of Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA),AIA-LA.
In her role at URW, she is recognized for her expertise in shaping the overarching vision of projects through the art of storytelling, which inspires, unites, and guides collaborative efforts across disciplines. This process transforms visionary ideas into tangible realities with the help of an internal team of multi-disciplinary experts. Ziba fosters an investigative and explorative approach rooted in the historical, cultural, and ecological identity of projects. This approach explores strategies that promote green-living, well- being, and a sense of connected community. She firmly believes that best solutions emerge from diverse participation. The dynamic design solutions that result from her guidance and collaboration with cross-disciplinary thinkers, local architects and experts are highly relevant and responsive to their communities. These solutions also offer the flexibility and versatility needed to meet future demands.
She has led the experiential design of airport terminals across the country, including LAX Tom Bradley International, LAX Terminal 1, 2, 3 and 6, Chicago O’Hare International and Boston Logan Terminal C. Her current projects involve the transformation of shopping malls into sustainable destinations that foster community connections through mixed-use development, urbanization projects and the adaptive reuse of existing structures.
Coupled with his knowledge of architecture and passion for policies that support excellence in the built environment, Carlo Caccavale brings 17 years of experience at the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles chapter to his position as its Executive Director.
Carlo has initiated a number of AIA|LA conferences that contribution to the profession and surrounding region. They include Encompass, the AIA|LA Conference to Actualize Diversity and Inclusion; Design for Dignity, the AIA|LA conference focused on homelessness and housing affordability; and Powerful, Women Leading Design. To facilitate greater recognition for design excellence and widen the spectrum of offices participating in design awards programs, Carlo launched the Restaurant Design Awards in 2005 and the Residential Architecture Awards in 2016. In 2017, he started the chapter’s Architectural Photography Awards to celebrate those who translate three dimensional design to the single plane while capturing its intent.
As a founding member of the Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC), Sarah was integral in growing the architectural design firm from a start-up of six people to almost forty in a year and a half. In 2022 Sarah was named the first female President of LJC and one of the leaders of the Clayco California office. As part of an integrated design-build firm, Sarah works closely with her Clayco colleagues, leveraging the knowledge and capabilities of her development and construction partners for the benefits of her clients. With a background in both construction management and design, Sarah has distinguished herself as a strong, capable leader on a wide range of developments including office buildings, hotels, high-rises, mixed-use, civic and institutional facilities. A licensed project architect in multiple states, she has been involved in all aspects of project delivery from conceptual design through construction administration. She has been named an ENR Top 40 under 40 and her projects have won numerous design awards such as ULI Global Award for Excellence and AIA Merit Awards. In her role as President, she continues to provide exceptional service to clients in addition to being responsible for the overall leadership of the firm, including staff development, long term strategy, and profitability.
Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California. Since then, he has logged 40 years of practice with project experience spanning the spectrum from Institutional (University), Governmental Facilities, Golf Courses (Clubhouses), Office/Retail Buildings, and Commercial to Custom Residential. Michael started D. Michael Hamner FAIA, Architects 1989. Soon after, he became the principal of a second practice, along with his architect wife, BArch, Builder|Architects, a Design/Build firm that holds a construction license in California and Hawaii. He is NCARB Certified & Licensed in California, Hawaii; and Louisiana.
In addition to practice, Michael is an Architecture Educator. He was an instructor at Woodbury University from 1987 to 1990 and then became a professor in the Department of Architecture at East Los Angeles Community College from 1992 to the present. Michael was Chair of the program from 2006 to 2021. During this time as Chair, the program averaged over 24 University transfers a year. One of the highest in the State. Michael’s work at ELAC has been recognized by the AIA, with his elevation into the College of Fellows in 2017. In 2021, he was named “Educator of the Year” by the AIA|LA.
Michael also serves the community. He served as a Commissioner with the City of Monterey Park for over 24 years on the Planning Commission and the Design Review Board. He has also participated in various committees, including the Oversight Committee, as an appointee of the CA Community Colleges Chancellor, chairing the sub-committee for the Senior Housing Facility at the Monterey Park Civic Center, and the Facilities Committee for East Los Angeles College. After spending 4 years on the University of Southern California’s Board of Governors, Michael is currently Chair of the LAUSD Bond Oversight Committee (BOC).
Christos Chrysiliou, FAIA, CCM, LEED BD+C
is the Chief Eco-Sustainability Officer for the Los Angeles Unified School District, where he leads the development and implementation of sustainable and renewable energy initiatives. His work focuses on reducing the District’s carbon and water footprint while
advancing climate literacy across the community. Prior to this role, Christos served for over a decade as the Director of Architecture and Engineering (A&E) Services within the Facilities Services Division of LAUSD. A licensed architect, Christos is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a certified construction manager (CCM), and a LEED Accredited Professional (BD+C). With extensive expertise in architectural planning, design, sustainability, and construction, he has been at the forefront of LAUSD’s efforts to promote sustainable design practices, campus ecology, and the transition to clean energy and decarbonization, all while fostering healthier, more eco- friendly school environments. Christos’s broad knowledge and experience enable him to lead complex programs that are both environmentally responsive and community focused. His foresight on climate challenges has been instrumental in building strategic collaborations and directing teams of architects, engineers, sustainability specialists, and energy managers to create resilient educational facilities. Christos’s vision is to transition LAUSD to clean energy across all sectors, developing environments that utilize sustainable materials and techniques to protect and restore natural resources, while promoting the health and well-being of students, staff, and the broader community.
Tibbie Dunbar is Business Development Lead at bulthaup Corporation. Prior to joining bulthaup, Tibbie was the Executive Director of the A+D Architecture and Design Museum > Los Angeles. In her 12 years at the helm of the museum, Tibbie developed the A+D into an active center of architecture and design, launching cutting-edge programming in exhibitions, education, symposia, performances, cultural urbanism, and interactive platforms.
Tibbie has a M.F.A in metal and the jewelry arts, and a B.A. in French and English Literature. She is a practicing fine artist, exhibiting locally and nationally
Gary Krakower, Hon AIA/LA
Gary commenced his professional career 42 years ago as an administrator at Bobrow Thomas & Associates (BTA), where he gained foundational experience in the AEC field. Subsequently, Gary played a pivotal role in establishing the Los Angeles office of Anshen+Allen (now CO Architects), honing his skills over a decade of dedicated service. Transitioning to ARC Document Solutions as an Account Manager, Gary continued to excel in his
career, leveraging his expertise and personal touch to serve clients effectively. His involvement in the AEC community extended beyond his professional roles, as evidenced by his board memberships in organizations such as The Southern California Development Forum, where he chaired the philanthropy committee, and the ACE Mentor program, where he served as a board member and co-chair of the Spotlight Awards.
His commitment to excellence and service earned him well-deserved recognition within the industry, including the SMPS/LA 2024 Legacy Awar as well as the prestigious 2019 Honorary AIA/LA award. Now retired, Gary’s dedication to the AEC community persists as he joins the board of the ACLA.
Walmir is an award-winning designer and entrepreneur with an impressive track record in the design industry. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University, focusing on the planning and vision for NYC 2050 as his thesis.
Driven by design with a hunger for innovation, Walmir thrives on pushing boundaries and challenging conventional notions to establish new standards. His expertise spans across multiple disciplines, including architecture, branding, marketing, and design. Throughout his career, Walmir has contributed to major conceptual projects and developments, showcasing his versatile skills and forward-thinking mindset.
In addition to his accomplishments, Walmir is also a co-founder of All Mies, a Los Angeles-based watch brand, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to bring creative visions to life.
Motivated by an unwavering passion for design, Walmir Luz is an exceptional professional who consistently strives to craft immersive experiences and redefine industry benchmarks through his creative endeavors.
Siobhán Burke is an architect and founder of Lyric Design & Planning, a public space design office in Los Angeles. Her work focuses on connecting communities through networks of healthy waterways, streetscapes, parks, and plazas. Siobhán has been conceptualizing a framework called the 99 Neighborhoods Network to facilitate inclusive and resilient placemaking in advance of the 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games. She looks forward to engaging with community based organizations, non-profits, and public agencies in her role as Co-Director of Engagement for ACLA.
