COMMITTEE CHAIR BIOS
2×8 Exhibition & Scholarship Committee
Co-Chair: Marco Marraccini, AIA
Marco Marraccini, AIA is a Partner at Abramson Architects in Los Angeles. He received a BS in Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Master of Architecture from MIT. Marco practiced architecture in Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania prior to moving to Los Angeles in 2010. In his role as Partner at Abramson Architects, he leads various project teams on ecclesiastical commissions, art studios, multifamily, schools, movie theaters, urban retail centers, and creative workspaces.
Marco dedicates much of his free time to working with students from elementary through graduate school. He has been an active member and volunteer with the Kiwanis Club of Culver City since 2010 and acts as SLP Chair coordinating service work with LACES High School, Hamilton High School, and UCLA. Marco loves mentoring students of all ages and previously held a position on the Board of SPARK Los Angeles, a nonprofit that partnered with schools to match underserved 7th and 8th graders with professionals. He is the Partner In Charge of the Community + Mentorship Initiative at Abramson Architects and is currently a Co-Chair of the ACLA’s 2×8 Exhibition & Scholarship Committee.
Co-Chair: Alicia Morales, AIA
Alicia M. Morales is the founder, owner and designer of AM Design Studio. Graduated with her Bachelor of Architecture from Southern California Institute Of Architecture (SCI-Arc). In 2015 she established her design studio beginning with residential projects and minor commercial projects.
In hearing out the necessities of the community she was able to start observing the requests and necessities for the surrounding cities in particular the City of Montebello in becoming the Chairwomen of the Planning Commissioners and being able to help the community grow for the good of the use of coming generations.
She currently contributes to her profession as an adjunct professor at East Los Angeles Community College motivating students to develop a taste and desire for the profession.
Past-Chair: Athenna Lim
Athenna Lim is an LA-based designer and is the Co-Founder of her design practice Studio Barnhaus. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona, Athenna established her own design practice in the midst of the pandemic, specializing in residential projects throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Through ADUs to SB9’s to expansions of existing single- and multi-family residences, she is committed to educating and creating pathways for homeowners to better utilize their properties.
Her commitment to the architectural community is exemplified by her continued volunteer work and leadership in the 2×8 committee. Athenna’s passion for architecture hopes to extend beyond her professional pursuits; she actively seeks to give back to the community that has supported her growth and development as a designer. Through her work with 2×8 and her design practice, Athenna is dedicated to both shaping spaces that enrich the lives of those who inhabit them and helping provide a platform for emerging designers in the industry.
Past Chair: Victor Macias, Assoc. AIA
Victor Daniel Macias, an architectural designer who proudly represents Paramount, CA. Victor embarked on his professional journey at Cerritos College, where he earned an AA degree in Architectural Technology. Subsequently, he graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, College of Environmental Design, obtaining a Bachelor of Architecture.
With a rich background, Victor has contributed his expertise to various architectural firms, specializing in residential and multi-family housing projects. Currently, Victor holds the position of Co-chair for the ACLA’s 2×8 Committee, showcasing his dedication to fostering collaboration and innovation within the architectural community. Through his diverse experiences and leadership roles, Victor continues to make significant strides in shaping the future of architectural design and the betterment of his community.
Community Engagement Committee
Chair: Jhoiey Ramirez
Jhoiey Ramirez brings with her 25 years of experience in designing built environment across continents. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the esteemed University of Santo Tomas and a Master of Interior Architecture from Cal-Poly Pomona. Amongst her prominent projects were the Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Lounge that was finished in record time to welcome the APEC convention in 1997; American Airlines T-4 in LAX; a few Westfield malls all over the country. These achievements spanned across her employment in several Manila, Philippines and Los Angeles, California firms, until she decided to start her own design studio in 2012 in her namesake designing homes for high net-worth; celebrity clients.
She recently pivoted and stepped into her new role as Creative Director for The Sycamore Collective, Inc., heading up a team-centric collaborative environment of highly talented individuals. She continues her valuable contribution in the built environment by partnering with brands she respects and brands that care about the environment as much as she does. She alsoserves as a consultant and mentor, sharing her knowledge and expertise. She has been involved in shaping young minds in design schools for over ten years, inspiring everyone she crosses paths with to improve their design ethos.
Past Chair: Citlalli Castillo Gonzalez, AIA
Citlalli is an architect and founder at Unfolding Lines Architecture, a studio specializing in planning and design for families and small communities.
She is on a mission to make great design accessible to more homeowners and small developers.
Citlalli is passionate about design, materials, methods, and finding the extraordinary around us. She has over 15 years of professional experience in California and Mexico. Her most enjoyable studio memories before opening Unfolding Lines were working at Drisko Studio Architects, where she had the opportunity to work and learn from exceptional professionals and develop beautiful projects with strong historical backgrounds.
Co-Chair: Walmir Luz
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.
Co-Chair: Zaira Hernandez
Zaira Hernandez is a freelance architectural designer based in Los Angeles, with a focus on diversity and inclusivity in design. As a Los Angeles native and Cal Poly alumni, Zaira has been actively involved in the ACLA’s Design by Diversity committee since its launch, helping to shape meaningful projects that give back to the community.
She enjoys contributing to projects that give back to the community and actively seeks out opportunities to support local causes and strengthen community ties. Her passion for design extends into her personal life, where she enjoys ceramics and perfecting her coffee-making skills.
Past Chair: Alise Robles, Assoc. AIA
Alise Robles is a Healthcare Designer at NBBJ. Since graduating from USC’s School of Architecture, she has been involved in a variety of projects, from schematic design to construction documentation to construction administration. She has served as a key team member on multiple projects for top tier healthcare providers in the Los Angeles area. She contributed to the 2017 Patient Centered Design Conference and Innovation Summit where her presentation placed first in the Experiential Design Competition. Alise is dedicated to redefining welcoming and inclusive environments for patients and staff.
Past Chair: Pema Wangzome, LEED BD+C
Pema Wangzome, is an Associate at SmithGroup who brings a holistic understanding of all aspects of design and construction to her project teams. She has experience in all phases of architecture, from conceptual design to construction administration, working on large and small projects within the Health, Higher Education, and Science & Technology practice sectors.
She is passionate about volunteering and advancing efforts on JEDI related events. She is an active member of the SmithGroup JEDI group and uses that platform to focus on amplifying and strengthening relationships with students and community organizations to help develop a more diverse talent pipeline for the design industry.
Co-Chair: Ian Dickenson, AIA
Ian is an active member of the academic, visual arts, and design communities, having contributed to numerous exhibitions, publications, and events. He has taught design studio at the University of Southern California, Washington University in St. Louis, and Arizona State University, and has served as an invited design critic for a number of additional academic institutions. He has lectured internationally; contributed to publications, panels, and research journals for institutions such as the Getty Research Institute, the Arid Lands Institute, and the Milken Institute; and is currently a Visiting Artist at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Ian is an associate principal architect at Sasaki and is responsible for heading a diverse array of firm initiatives, including leading design teams, project and firm strategy, creative direction, and carrying out research agendas.
Co-Chair: Julia Hawkinson, FAIA
Julia has been working for school districts for the past 20 years to positively impact the learning experiences of the students she serves. As a Senior Facilities Development Manager with the Facilities Services Division of the Los Angeles Unified School District, she manages the planning and development of major projects, transforming existing school sites. Julia applies her interest and expertise in the planning and design of learning environments to lead LA Unified’s effort to develop, update, and align their design standards and educational specifications with the instructional vision of the District.
Julia is an active member of the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) and is a founding member and current co-chair of A4LE’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee. She previously served as the Chair of the Commission that oversees the industry credential of Accredited Learning Environments Planner (ALEP). Julia has enjoyed serving as a juror for several school design and planning award programs, including A4LE International Planning & Design Awards, A4LE Midwest Great Lakes Region John Shaw Award architectural design competition, and Learning by Design magazine’s Architectural and Interior Design Awards of Excellence.
In her professional and personal efforts, Julia advocates for inspiring student-centered learning environments that provide all children the opportunity to learn, to grow and to dream.
Co-Chair: Afra Farry
Afra Farry is a native Angeleno and licensed architect based in Santa Monica. Her work spans everything from corporate headquarters to boutique hotels and custom homes. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and a Master of Architecture from the AA School of Architecture in London. Over the years, she has contributed to internationally recognized projects at Foster and Partners in London, Walker Warner Architects in San Francisco, and Electric Bowery in Venice Beach. In 2022, she launched her own practice, AD-AD Studio, where she leads residential and hospitality projects rooted in warmth, intention, and a strong sense of place. Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, Afra’s love for architecture began at age 13, sparked by a curiosity about how the built environment shapes our daily lives. She was fortunate to have a great mentor and access to a summer program that helped nurture her passion. Because of that early support, she is now deeply committed to giving back through her involvement with the ACLA and co-founding of the Design Like a Girl program in Los Angeles. Through this initiative, Afra is proud to inspire the next generation of designers and help young girls envision themselves in creative and impactful roles within their communities.
Hannah is a licensed architect whose career spans a diverse range of projects—from designing academic spaces in Washington, D.C., to creating retail environments for Ralph Lauren in Europe, to shaping hospitality experiences in Los Angeles. Now based in New York City, she is part of AvroKO, an internationally acclaimed firm known for its innovative work in the hospitality sector.
Hannah earned her undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of Maryland, followed by dual master’s degrees in Architecture and Sustainable Design from The Catholic University of America. While based in Washington D.C., she worked with Joanna Schmickle, founder of Design Like a Girl (DLAG), and was honored to serve as one of the program’s founding mentors in DC. Hannah enjoyed the Design Like a Girl program so much that when she moved to LA, she decided to bring DLAG with her! Los Angeles is now the 4th active chapter of Design Like a Girl.
Co-Chair: Lilia Guerrero
Lilia is a Mexican-American architectural designer from California, currently living in Los Angeles. Her work experience ranges from larger multi-family/mixed-use projects down to small cafes. She received her Bachelor of Arts from CSU-Sacramento and her Masters of Architecture from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. While her education focused on Miesian style, her love for classical architecture remains unmatched.
Her education and professional career kept Lilia in the great city of Chicago for 8 years. Her professional achievements include involvement in and leading projects for prominent developer, Core Spaces, and design work for local artisans and restaurateurs throughout Chicago, one being a major rebranding opportunity. Since returning to California, Lilia continued to work on multi-family projects until January 2025 where she does freelance work primarily for single-family projects.
Outside of work, Lilia enjoys walks with her French bulldog, Henry, pottery, and traveling the world. She will never pass up the opportunity to visit old friends in Chicago, to watch the leaves change in the fall there, and of course, taste all the delicious food it has to offer!
Lilia became involved in Design Like a Girl in 2024 and set to support Hannah Irby and Afra Farry in launching the LA Chapter.
Chair: D. Michael Hamner, FAIA
For the past 27 years, D. Michael Hamner, FAIA, has been a principal, along with his architect wife, of BArch, Builder/Architects, a Design/Build firm in Los Angeles.
The firm is a licensed architecture and construction company in both California and Hawaii. The firm’s work ranges from institutional (University), commercial, and municipal to custom residential. Primary work includes University Housing and Athletic Facilities to Golf Course Facilities (Clubhouses) located across the U.S. The firm also executes personal land development.
Co-Chair: Jesus Abril, Assoc. AIA
Jesus Abril, Jr., Assoc. AIA, is a designer, builder, artist, and professor. He is a licensed general construction contractor and operates COAB Development, providing design, remodeling and construction services. After earning his Master’s of Architecture degree from SCI Arc, he has served as adjunct professor at East Los Angeles College Department of Architecture, and has taught urban design studios at Cal Poly Pomona’s Landscape Architecture Department.
His background in urban planning and chican studies at UCLA as an undergrad paved the way for his interest in community development and architecture. Jesus was recently hired as an Architectural Associate for the City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Engineering. In this position, he provides construction management support for public works projects ranging from historic theater renovations to homeless housing.
Co-Chair: Justin Sasada, AIA
Justin Sasada has worked on both, the private and public sector while also teaching at the college level, and maintaining his private practice as a licensed Architect. He also enjoys mentoring former and current students and guiding them through the academic and then professional realm. Justin also has design experience in adjacent fields like shoe design, product design, and fashion design.
Business Development Committee
Director: Ingalill Wahlroos-Ritter, FAIA
Ingalill is an architect, educator, co-principal of the architecture firm W-ROAD, chair of NCARB’s Education Committee, and currently serves as President of Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA). The mission of ACLA, the non-profit sibling organization of AIA LA, is to be at the forefront of architecture education and community building, and to advocate for good design created by and for all people of Los Angeles.
Ingalill has forged educational pathways and launched programs that support her vision of education for all. She is currently Professor in the Architecture Department at East Los Angeles College, a public community college with the largest student enrollment in the state of California. She has taught at Woodbury, Yale, Cornell, the Bartlett, and SCI-Arc, and was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2018 for outstanding contributions to the profession and the academy, a distinction awarded to 3% of architects in the US. She is also recipient of the 2016 AIA California Council Educator Award, the 2018 AIA|LA Presidential Educator of the Year Award and has been recognized twice by DesignIntelligence as one of the nation’s Most Admired Educators in Architecture and Design in 2018 and 2019.
Co-Chair: Tracy A. Stone, AIA
Tracy founded her firm, Tracy A. Stone Architect, in 1991 in Los Angeles, California. The firm offers expertise in both commercial and residential construction with an emphasis on environmentally sensitive design. Tracy is a member of the US Green Building Council and has been a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and
Construction since 2003. She brings to her architectural practice a working knowledge of sustainable strategies, technologies and materials.
