2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
2026 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 San 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.
2026 PAST PRESIDENT
Katee Chard, AIA
Katee is Associate Principal at Steinberg Hart where she leads Civic in their San Diego office. Katee’s wide-ranging experience in public, mixed-use, residential, senior housing, cultural, and essential facilities have produced exceptional designs within the community. She has served as lead architect on numerous San Diego mixed-use developments. Through that work she has developed a passion and skillset for leading large and diverse teams to achieve shared goals.
2026 VICE PRESIDENT
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.
2026 Secretary
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.
2026 TREASURER
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.
2026 DIRECTORS
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Kyle Peterson, AIA
Kyle Peterson is Managing Principal of HMC Architects’ San Diego studio, where he leads a 25-person team with a focus on strategic growth, mentorship, and community impact. A licensed architect with 25 years of experience and a strong foundation in public architecture, Kyle serves on HMC’s Board of Directors and is a firmwide Practice Leader for Community and Culture. His advocacy experience spans municipal partnerships and policy engagement, making him a compelling voice for elevating architecture’s role in shaping sustainable and resilient communities.
Advocacy I CO-DIRECTORS
Jonathan French, AIA
Jonathan French is an Architect and Project Manager at the Miller Hull Partnership, with deep experience in design and strategic planning for Civic Institutions and Higher Education. Within AIA San Diego, Jonathan has served as Chair of the Regional Design Advisory Council (RDAC) from 2024-25, and before that as an active member. Jonathan is committed to advocating for equity and high quality design within our built environment and public spaces, making him a strong choice for continuing to develop our chapter's connections with local politicians and governmental agencies.
Brer Marsh, AIA
Brer Marsh is a Project Architect at Architects Mosher Drew, where he leads institutional and K–12 educational modernization eff orts across San Diego County. A licensed architect and long-time civic advocate, Brer brings over two decades of diverse experience ranging from international competitions to community-centered planning. His public service includes appointments to the Balboa Park Committee, Uptown Planners Community Planning Group, leadership roles with BikeSD, and ongoing participation with local transportation and housing groups.
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.
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.
PRACTICE
YOUNG EMERGING PROFESSIONALS
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.
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.
NORTH COUNTY i CO-DIRECTORS
Hannah Williams, AIA
Hannah Williams is an Architect at Stephen Dalton Architects in Solana Beach, specializing in multifamily, municipal, and affordable housing projects across San Diego County. A licensed architect in California, she combines technical precision with a deep commitment to community engagement and design excellence. Hannah’s volunteer leadership with the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s OH! San Diego event and her service at cultural institutions like the Mingei International Museum reflect her dedication to connecting people through design. Her thoughtful and collaborative approach makes her a strong advocate for expanding AIA San Diego’s presence and impact in North County.
Conor Brown, AIA
Conor Brown is a Senior Associate and Project Architect at ESG Architecture & Design, where he leads large-scale housing, mixed-use, and life science developments across the country. Licensed in California, Washington, and Oregon, Conor brings over a decade of experience across multiple regions and markets—including key leadership roles in Seattle and San Diego. His portfolio includes high-impact transit-oriented developments, adaptive reuse, and supportive housing. A former elected board member of the Downtown Community Planning Council in San Diego, Conor’s recent relocation to North County and commitment to sustainable urban growth make him a valuable voice as co-director of North County.
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.
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.
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.
