Cast Your Vote – AIA San Diego 2025 Elections
Help shape the future of AIA San Diego by voting for our next leaders!
At AIA San Diego, we are committed to advancing the architecture profession and fostering a thriving, inclusive design community. By participating in this election, you help shape the leadership that drives our chapter’s mission of promoting equity, sustainability, and innovation in the built environment.
Your vote ensures that our leadership reflects the diverse voices and perspectives of our membership, empowering us to uphold our values of collaboration, advocacy, and design excellence. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant future for architecture in San Diego.
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.
Voting Timeline:
Electronic Voting Opens: 8:00 AM, Friday, December 6
Electronic Voting Closes: Midnight, Friday, December 6
Eligibility:
Active AIA San Diego Members only.
Candidate Information
Valentina Castilla, AIA, AIBC, AAA
Position: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Justice Director
Valentina Castilla is a seasoned architect with over 20 years of experience across commercial, residential, and educational projects, currently a Senior Architect at AVRP Studios. Her career has emphasized the importance of collaboration, effective communication, and addressing diverse community needs, making her well-suited to co-lead AIASD’s EDI&J initiatives.
Zachary Silver, Assoc. AIA
Position: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Justice Director
Zachary Silver brings a deep commitment to inclusive, equitable, and accessible design as the Southwest Regional Director of Inclusive Design at Gensler San Diego. With two years in this role, Zachary has led coaching and implementation of inclusive design strategies across Gensler’s Southwest region, which includes Southern California, Colorado, and Nevada. His work emphasizes creating impactful, people-centered spaces that align closely with AIA San Diego’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice (EDI+J) goals.
Zachary’s involvement with AIA San Diego has included presentations on inclusive design at the A’23 AIASD Conference and a collaborative project tour of the Southwestern College Wellness and Aquatic Center. Driven by a passion for amplifying diverse voices and perspectives, Zachary looks forward to advancing AIASD’s mission of fostering an inclusive and empowered design community.
Lina Asad, AIA, LFA
Position: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Justice Director
Lina Asad is a Senior Lead Designer and Associate at Steinberg Hart, bringing a deep understanding of the challenges faced by minority communities and a commitment to fostering equity within the architectural profession. As the Chair of the We in Architecture (WE-A) Committee for AIASD, Lina has successfully led initiatives that promote diversity and justice across the field, making meaningful strides toward a more inclusive profession.
Lina is also dedicated to advancing opportunities for underrepresented architects, including overseeing impactful programs such as the Laura Shinn Diversity in Architecture Scholarship. With her extensive experience and passion for equity, Lina is poised to serve as a strong voice and advocate for justice within the AIA San Diego community.
