ACLA Board of Directors
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.
Ashley Richardson, AIA, LEED AP is a Partner at Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney (EYRC) Architects in Los Angeles, where she thrives on leading large, complex projects from vision to reality. With a passion for building collaborative and innovative teams, she has helped shape transformative educational environments—most notably two Living & Learning Neighborhoods at UC San Diego. Her portfolio also includes the Pendry Hotel + Residences in West Hollywood and the modernization of John Burroughs Middle School in Los Angeles. In addition to her project leadership, Ashley oversees firmwide operations at EYRC, bringing both strategic clarity and creative energy to the practice. A licensed Architect in California, Ashley holds a Project Management Certificate from UCLA, and is a legacy LEED Accredited Professional. Beyond practice, Ashley contributes to the profession through service and leadership: she is a past Chair of both the AIA Los Angeles Design Awards and Women in Architecture committees, and she is the incoming Vice President/2027 President-Elect of Architecture for Communities Los Angeles.
Chris is currently an Associate Vice President of Design for Related California. His primary responsibilities include steering design direction, managing a team of design professionals, and providing construction assistance for Related’s market rate and mixed-income/use developments in California. Chris joins the ACLA with more than 12 years of experience in the design and construction industry. Prior to moving to California, Chris was a Designer at Related Companies in New York City where he was responsible for the design and delivery process of numerous market rate and affordable residential/mixed use developments in the neighborhoods of Hudson Yards, Chelsea, Midtown and Far Rockaway.
A licensed architect in New York State and active AIA member, Chris endeavors to work with his cohorts at the ACLA to serve the community in Los Angeles.
Anne Frederiksen is an Associate Principal at PLP SoCal, a Los Angeles–based lighting agency recognized for its design-focused line card. She previously served as Vice President of Sales & Retail for Louis Poulsen Lighting.
An enthusiastic collaborator, Anne is deeply passionate about lighting, design, and building meaningful connections across the design community. She is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and a past co-chair of the AIA Los Angeles Interiors Committee, where she remains actively involved.
A dedicated advocate for the arts and design, Anne has supported numerous cultural and educational events, exhibitions, and organizations. She is a recipient of the AIA Los Angeles Honorary Award and currently serves on the advisory board of LightEquity | Light for LA, a nonprofit advancing access to and awareness of quality lighting for Los Angeles’ fire-affected communities.
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, engaged the community, transformed the lives of those who occupy them, and have enjoyed exceptional economic success.
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 itsExecutive Director.
Carlo has initiated several AIA|LA conferences that contribute to the profession and the surrounding region, including 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 initiated the chapter’s Architectural Photography Awards to recognize those who translate three-dimensional design into a single plane while capturing its essence.
Marisa Keckeisen is a licensed architect in California and an Associate Principal at Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP (ZGF), where she has played a leading role in the design and delivery of high-performance projects across a range of sectors, including healthcare, higher education, civic, sports, and research facilities. With a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California, Marisa brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work, integrating design excellence with sustainability and mentorship.
Her professional portfolio includes landmark projects such as the California Air Resources Board headquarters, City of Hope Orange County Cancer Center, and the University of Texas Arlington Life Science Building. Marisa has been a consistent advocate for sustainable design and has presented at national conferences including Greenbuild, I2SL, and the NetZero Conference.
Beyond her architectural work, Marisa is deeply committed to community engagement and mentorship. She serves as a board member for the Youth Business Alliance and mentors through the USC Architectural Guild and ACE Mentor Program. As Director of Emerging Design Professionals at ZGF, she fosters professional growth and a supportive culture for junior staff.
Marisa is a member of AIA, NOMA (Associate Member), USGBC California, and NCARB. She thrives in dynamic team environments and is known for her passion for design, problem-solving, and leadership.
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. Before this role, Christos served for over a decade as the Director of Architecture and Engineering 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.
Dr. Giovanna Brasfield (Dr. G) is an award-winning Chief Executive Officer and principal consultant of Brasfield & Associates LLC, bringing visionary leadership, strategic insight, and measurable impact to the construction and infrastructure industries. With a distinguished record of collaborative leadership and innovation, she has dedicated her career to advancing organizational inclusion, economic equity, and workforce transformation across complex public and private sector environments.
Through her firm, Dr. G partners with organizations to put people first by designing and implementing inclusive strategies, proposal development, stakeholder engagement plans, and workforce and supplier diversity programs that deliver measurable economic impact on large-scale infrastructure projects and within Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Her work moves
beyond compliance to embed accountability, sustainability, and long-term value into
organizational systems.
Dr. G serves in multiple national and regional leadership roles, including as a Board Member of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of California Construction Education Foundation (CEF), where she also co-chairs the Fundraising Committee; a Board Member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Los Angeles – Architecture for Communities; and a Board Member of the South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (SCLARC). She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, where she co-chairs the Neurodiverse Taskforce, advancing inclusion and access for neurodivergent professionals across the construction industry.
An international speaker and Autodesk 2024 Global Construction Champion, Dr. G has received numerous honors recognizing her leadership and contributions to the industry. As a respected scholar-practitioner and global thought leader, she writes, speaks, and advises on moving organizations beyond the status quo toward meaningful, measurable, and sustainable change.
Dr. G holds two doctorate degrees from the University of La Verne, including a Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership, along with an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts from Mount St. Mary’s University.
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 Award 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.
