Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast

Helena Ariza is a licensed architect in New York and Spain, originally from Barcelona. As Vice President at AEI Consultants, she leads the Sustainability & Resilience Divisions, helping clients navigate climate risk through ESG strategies, Property Resilience Assessments, and FORTIFIED evaluations. Her career began in Barcelona’s public sector, where her passion for sustainable design first to...

Alexis Elias is a Florida Registered Architect, NCARB-certified professional, and Licensed Interior Designer with over 25 years of experience in architecture, interior design, and real estate development. He is Principal and Partner at Elias Elias, an internationally award-winning architecture and interior design firm founded over 50 years ago, with offices in Miami, Florida and Guadalajara, Mexic...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #37: Rooted In Purpose with Katherine Serrano Sosa, AIA, NCARB Katherine is an award-winning Latina architect, licensed in NY and NJ, and founder of Rooted Architecture Studio, dedicated to inclusive, wellness-focused design tailored to each client's unique story and needs. Born in El Salvador, she immigrated to the U.S. at age seven and, inspired by her f...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #36: Design & Leadership Without Borders, with Vivian Lee, FAIA From her early life in Taiwan and Paraguay to her professional practice across Italy, China, and the U.S., Vivian's work is influenced by a boundless collection of cultures, histories, and consciousness.  Enriched by her experience of living and practicing in different countries, her archi...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #35: IAC Path to Licensure Scholarship for Designers Sponsor, Jaqueline Velez, AIA Jacqueline began her career working at architectural studios specializing in new building designs in the rapidly developing Long Island City. As a New York City Expediter, she gained extensive experience in building codes and zoning consulting, giving her a competitive edge. This...

Andrea Ceglia, Assoc. AIA, was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and spent much of her childhood living throughout the Caribbean, including Aruba, Belize, and Antigua. She later returned to Caracas to complete high school and begin her university education. After two years of study in Venezuela, she transferred to New Jersey, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Andrea built an e...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #33: From Madurai to San Francisco: A Design Journey Written in Resilience with Madhubala Ayyamperumal, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, NOMA Madhubala Ayyamperumal is a San Francisco–based Senior Designer, mentor, and advocate for socially and environmentally responsible architecture. Originally from India, she began her career in Dubai before...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #32: IAC Student Scholarship Winner Dana Goodridge Dana Goodridge is a Master of Architecture student at Howard University, graduating in May 2026. She is passionate about healthcare design and community development, aiming to enhance well-being through thoughtful, inclusive architecture that promotes healing, dignity, and cultural identity. “This scholarship e...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #31: From Worker to Registered Architect: Redefining the Path with Cindy Maleike, AIA Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Cindy was raised by her grandparents and father. At 19, she immigrated to the United States with her sisters, following her mother’s dream of greater opportunities. Like many immigrants, she adapted to a new culture while working various jobs—includin...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #30: Work Life Balance - Setting boundaries for a healthy lifestyle and business ownership with Melissa Cheing, AIA, LEED GA, Well AP, NOMA Melissa Carolina Cheing was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and moved to Ecuador with her family at the age of four. She grew up in Guayaquil, where she earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Universidad Católica de Santiag...

Join us for this entertaining conversation between the leaders at IAC! IAC’s 2025 Impact & What’s Next in 2026 brings together the Immigrant Architects Coalition’s Board of Directors—Yu‑Ngok Lo, Graciela Carrillo, Saakshi Terway, Oyuki Sulu, and Gloria Kloter—for a candid year-in-review and forward-looking conversation. The episode reflects on key milestones, programs, publications, and partne...

Gilberto Lozada Báez is a Mexican architect based in Mexico and the 69th President of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). Gilberto graduated in 2024 from Universidad de Monterrey, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Architecture with Magna Cum Laude honors and the CENEVAL National Award for EGEL Academic Excellence.  As an emerging architect and designer, Gilberto is...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #27: From China to Dubai: Li Ren’s Global Journey as a U.S.-Licensed Architect, by Li Ren, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C Li Ren, originally from Chengdu, China, is an Architect and Associate at Perkins Eastman in Dubai. He specializes in hospitality, senior living, and master plans. His approach to design is sustainable and inclusive. He seeks to involve the communi...

Samia Rab Kirchner, originally from Quetta, Pakistan, makes, studies, and analyzes architecture that contributes to urban civic identity. She is currently a tenured Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at Morgan State University Department of Architecture. She has previously taught architecture, urban design, historic preservation, and urban heritage management at the American Univ...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #25: Cloudiya Ochoa, AIA, NCARB, CDT. Licensed in North Carolina and Mexico. Cloudiya Ochoa, AIA, NCARB, CDT, is a licensed architect in the North Carolina and Mexico, with over 12 years of experience. She brings a global perspective to her work and is passionate about helping others navigate the path to licensure. As a working mom of almost three and a foreign...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #24: Anuya Sant, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C. Licensed in Wisconsin and India. Anuya is a seasoned health care architect, planner, and project manager with over a decade of experience in operational planning and evidence-based design. Originally from India, she brings her passion for historic preservation, sustainable and community design to her projects to create...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #23: Rajan Karmacharya, PMP®, AIA, NCARB, licensed in Texas and from Nepal. Rajan, originally from Nepal, is a Senior Architect and Project Manager with over a decade of experience and a story that’s anything but typical. After being diagnosed with dyslexia, he didn’t just navigate the challenges of architecture school; he crushed the ARE 5.0 with just six mont...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #22: An Immigrant Architect's Path to Giving Back with Mahbuba Khan AIA, MPA, LEED®AP BD+C Mahbuba Khan is the founding president of MnKhan Architects, a minority-owned firm specializing in public projects across community, institutional, and municipal sectors in Coppell, Texas. Most recently, she served as a Technical Lead Architect for the U.S. Army Corp...

Olga Whitmoyer is a New York-based, Russian-born architect dedicated to enhancing public education and building stronger, more equitable communities across New York City. With a professional mission focused on advancing both equity and sustainability, Olga strives to make a lasting impact through her work as a registered architect. Olga earned her first Master’s degree in Architecture from Moscow...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #20: Manuel Granja, AIA, LEED Green Associate. Licensed in Florida, Ohio and Panama. Manuel Granja, originally from Ecuador, is a Project Coordinator at Sol Design and Consult, specializing in sustainable design and occupant well-being. With a portfolio spanning over 100,000 sq ft of fitness facilities worldwide, he brings a global perspective to energy-efficie...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #19: Taruna Gupta, NOMA, Assoc. AIA and Yash Mehta, NOMA, Assoc. AIA, Co-Founders of Defining Humanity! Taruna is a Senior Associate at HGA Milwaukee, working as a programmer and planner. She values the importance of a holistic design process and champions equity and sustainability principles that enrich her projects.   As Co-Founder and President of Defining H...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #18: Alejandro Calle, AIA, NCARB, Green LEED Assoc. licensed in US in Fl and Georgia, and in Colombia Tune in to The Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast and don't miss out on the fascinating conversations that shed light on the triumphs and resilience of immigrant architects and designers. Subscribe now and join us on this incredible adventure!  Alejand...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #17: Bridging Cultures Through Architecture, with Gemma Devesa, AIA. Tune in to The Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast and don't miss out on the fascinating conversations that shed light on the triumphs and resilience of immigrant architects and designers. Subscribe now and join us on this incredible adventure!   Gemma Devesa Gasco, AIA, is an internat...

Tune in to The Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast and don't miss out on the fascinating conversations that shed light on the triumphs and resilience of immigrant architects and designers. Subscribe now and join us on this incredible adventure!   Juan Ricardes holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Buenos Aires and is a registered architect with the Professional Council of A...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #15: Pathways to Licensure for Immigrants, A Conversation with NCARB. We are thrilled to announce the release of our new Licensing series episode, where we delve into the inspiring world of immigrant architects.  Tune in to The Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast and don't miss out on the fascinating conversations that shed light on the triumphs and res...