2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Congratulations to our architect members who were elected to serve on the 2025 Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting of Members on December 6, 2024!
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
2025 President
Katee Chard, AIA
Katee Chard is an Associate Principal at Carrier Johnson +CULTURE, bringing over a decade of experience in architecture and leadership. Katee’s approach to leadership of the Chapter centers on the principles of co-leadership and collective decision-making. She believes in leveraging the diverse strengths of a Board of Directors to build consensus and ensure that decisions reflect what is best for the community and the collective, rather than being driven by any one individual. She is committed to ongoing introspection, believing that an openness to change and self-improvement is essential for AIA San Diego’s continued evolution and success.
A passionate advocate for the Citizen Architect, Katee is committed to civic engagement and giving back to her community. Her tenure on the AIA San Diego Board of Directors includes roles such as Advocacy Director, Chair of the Regional Design Advisory Council (RDAC), and a member of the AIA California Board of Directors. Through these positions, she has championed initiatives that strengthen the profession and encourage architects to take on leadership roles within their communities.
As the 2025 President of AIA San Diego, she is excited to lead and collaborate with the incredible 2025 Board of Directors, working together to inspire, support, and empower the architectural community in San Diego and beyond.
2025 Vice PRESIDENT
Ben Dalton, AIA
An architect and firm partner, Ben Dalton leads Miller Hull’s San Diego Studio. He is a frequent lecturer and is active in the San Diego design community. Having practiced in North Carolina, Seattle and Sand Diego over his career, an understanding of place is profoundly important to Ben, as is the importance of collecting a diversity of perspectives in the curation of design ideas. Committed to sustainable architecture and improving our built environment across multiple sectors of work, Ben works at multiple scales for both public and private clients.
2025 Past President
Jamie Intervalo, AIA
As Architect and Planner, Jamie has a unique background leading multidisciplinary teams in Higher Education, Civic, Commercial, Mixed Use and Multi-Family Projects. She has served for several years on Women in Architecture (WIA) and Design Awards Committees and recently launched a new local chapter scholarship. In serving as AIA San Diego’s first Director of Equity, Diversity, Justice, and Inclusion, Jamie has promoted critical conversations around gender, ethnicity, race, and inclusion, embedding these principles into the fabric of how AIA San Diego functions and building upon what the Institute at the national level has started.
2025 Secretary
Maxine Ward, AIA
Maxine Ward, a Principal at Studio E Architects, has over 20 years of experience in both the U.S. and the U.K., focusing on projects that promote design accessibility. Known for her commitment to community engagement and leadership in organizations like the San Diego Architectural Foundation, Maxine brings strong organizational skills, a holistic design perspective, and a proven dedication to the San Diego architectural community.
2025 Treasurer
Michael Meizen, AIA
Michael Meizen is an Associate at domusstudio architecture. With over 14 years of experience spanning sacred, education, housing, and commercial projects, Michael combines financial stewardship and a commitment to sustainable design. His expertise in financial alignment with mission goals will bring a valuable perspective to the Treasurer role.
2025 DIRECTORS
Advocacy
Heather Ruszczyk, AIA
Heather Ruszczyk is an architect at The Miller Hull Partnership where she advocates for using design as a tool to offer solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time – issues of climate, equity and resilience in the built environment. Her work with Miller Hull puts into practice her commitment to lead through design, at a firm whose ethos of purposeful placemaking, environmental stewardship and authentic sustainable practices aligns closely with her own goals. Outside the firm, Heather’s commitment to these principles manifest in volunteerism related to raising public awareness about how design can be an agent for positive change in our cities.
As Director of Advocacy, she hopes to continue pushing forward a number of issues originally identified in the Mayoral Agenda and to bring design into the conversation with our elected officials to see more policy reflect the value that our profession can offer in building a better San Diego.
Fun Fact: Heather’s new favorite hobbies include sliding and swinging at her local parks in mid-City area with her 1 year old son.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Justice | Co-DIrectors
Lina Asad, AIA
Lina Asad is a Senior 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.
Fun Fact: Lina loves hiking, swimming, and gardening.
Zachary Silver, Assoc. AIA
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.
Fun Fact: Zachary wanted to be a car designer when they were younger
Government Relations
Doug Austin, FAIA
Mr. Doug Austin, FAIA, LEED AP, MAIBC, is a visionary design leader known for his expertise in urban environments. Since founding AVRP Studios in San Diego in 1976, he has led projects across urban infill, mixed-use development, housing, education, corporate offices, and health care, delivering over $3 billion in construction value in the past decade alone. With offices in San Diego and Vancouver, BC, Canada, AVRP Studios has a broad domestic and international impact.
A dedicated leader in the architectural community, Mr. Austin served as AIA National Director (1990–1992), VP of Communications for AIACC (1987–1989), and President of AIASD (1986). His commitment to design excellence and advancing the profession has earned him widespread recognition.
Fun Fact: Doug is a 3rd degree Black Belt as well as a Certified Instructor in Tai Kwando and started the first Cal Poly Surf Team and represented same at the International Championship at Makaha Beach in 1966
North County (Palomar)
Scott McColl, AIA
A Graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Scott is a Senior Consultant and Architect at MC Consultants in Carlsbad. He also sits as a Member of the Escondido Building Advisory and Appeals Board.
In this role, Scott intends to increase the voice of Architects in San Diego and especially the North County area by supporting the needs of our profession in our community.
Fun Fact: Scott is a 4th Generation native San Diegan
Practice | Co- directors
Sami R. Khoury, AIA
Sami Khoury is a Principal, Operations Director, and San Diego Studio Leader at AC Martin Inc. With over 20 years of experience, Sami has made it his mission to strengthen the architectural practice through leadership and innovation. His professional journey includes significant contributions at leading firms such as NBBJ Design, Steinberg Hart, and Carrier Johnson +CULTURE, where he gained expertise in design, project management, financial oversight, and talent acquisition.
Sami’s portfolio spans multifamily housing, higher education, life sciences, urban planning, and adaptive reuse projects, offering him a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field. He is passionate about fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge in areas such as project management, business practices, technical standards, and emerging technologies.
As Co-Director of Practice, Sami aims to serve as a resource for AIA San Diego members, advocating for best practices and addressing the evolving needs of the profession. His vision is to create a collaborative and inclusive environment that strengthens our shared commitment to architectural excellence.
Fun Fact: Sami is passionate about music and the arts, engaging in activities such as playing guitar, painting, sculpting, and experimenting with digital arts and AI image generation. He believes these creative pursuits complement architectural workflows and enhance project innovation. In his free time, Sami enjoys exploring cultural and natural settings, visiting cities to admire architectural landmarks, exploring museums, attending music concerts, and immersing himself in the beauty of national parks—all of which inspire his artistic and professional endeavors.
Victor Navarro, AIA
Victor H. Navarro is a San Diego based Architect and Educator.
Currently a principal of legacy firm Architects Mosher Drew, Victor has worked and collaborated on diverse project types gaining experience in the categories of single family residential, multifamily mixed-use, restaurant, hospitality, retail, government and education. As a versatile designer, he has developed projects that range from small additions to campus planning and of diverse construction and structural methods.
Victor’s approach to architecture is through a process that he calls Emergent Design. It is highly based on collaboration, engages discussions on social and environmental responsibilities, and evokes a hybrid of research, rationale and intuition in which the end result yields the unexpected.
Young Emerging Proffessionals | Co-DIrectors
Anthony Damon, AIA
Anthony has over 24 years in the AEC industry and is the Higher Education Core Market Leader at DPR Construction. He has a passion for design, innovation, and sustainability matched by a desire to activate youth interest in our industry and provide mentorship and career guidance for emerging architectural professionals. He has been involved with ACE Mentor San Diego since 2004 where he has served as board President and he also volunteers with AIA San Diego and the San Diego Architectural Foundation. Anthony is deeply committed to supporting the future talent of our industry, giving back to the community, and leading by example.
Ivan Hu, Assoc. AIA
Currently a Senior Job Captain/Designer at Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects, Ivan has over seven years of experience in Architecture working on Residential, Commercial, Education, Public, and Life-Science Projects.
Ivan hopes to increase awareness of the AIA to new graduates and assist in preparing new graduates for licensure. Additionally, Ivan hopes to broaden his outreach to upcoming K-12 students by increasing educational resources and knowledge of the architectural field.
Fun Fact: Outside of Architecture, Ivan is a Photographer (Lifestyle/Editorial/Real Estate/Portraiture). He can never say no to a nice glass of Whiskey!
EX OFFICIO REPRESENTATIVES (APPOINTED)
ex officio, California Architects Board
Mitra Kanaani, FAIA, D.Arch, MCP
Dr. Mitra Kanaani, FAIA, D.ARCH, MCP of AIA San Diego serves on the California Architects Board, appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Mitra is a registered architect and a Fellow of American Institute of Architects, FAIA, recognized for her contributions in the advancement of the standards of practice in the science and art of planning.
ex officio, The San Diego Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (SDNOMA)
Michael D. Robinson, AIA
Principal Architect of Robi4 Architecture & Planning Inc, Michael serves on the AIA San Diego Board of Directors as an ex-officio member and SDNOMA liaison. He also serves as the current President of SDNOMA, on the Alumni Advisory Board at the NewSchool of Architecture & Design, on the Balboa Park Committee, and on the Committee of One Hundred at Balboa Park.
Fun Fact: Ghana is his favorite travel destination.
ex officio, Newschool of architecture and design
Daniela Deutsch, Assoc. AIA
Daniela Deutsch is the Dean of Architecture at NewSchool of Architecture and Design, where she is known for her commitment to mentoring emerging architects and enhancing educational programs. Her academic expertise and dedication to architectural education make her a valuable ex officio addition, supporting AIASD’s future-focused initiatives.
Fun Fact: Daniela has been passionate about dance, choreography, and poetry from a very young age. Her creativity extends beyond the arts, with skiing being her favorite sport.
2025 BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
Katee Chard, AIA
Ben Dalton, AIA
AIA SAN DIEGO COMMITTEE LEADERS
Our volunteer Committee Chairs and Knowledge Community/Group Leaders are the boots on the ground; it is thanks to their dedication that AIA San Diego is able to offer hundreds of unique programs and events every year.
