Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast

🎙️ 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 family's background in construction, set her sights on architecture by age 11. Graduating in the top three of her high school class, she earned a full scholarship to Macaulay Honors College at City College of New York...

🎙️ 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 architecture is efficient and poetic, technologically advanced, environmentally conscious, and engagingly humanistic. With an extensive background leading award-winning projects of all types and scales, Vivian brings over 30 years of creative passion to Gensler as a Design Principal. Driven by the be...

🎙️ 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 expertise equipped her with the knowledge, leverage, and confidence to establish her own practice.

 In the summer of 1992, Jacqueline founded JMV Associates, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in building code reviews, zoning analysis, and expediting services. After...

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 eight-year career in the engineering and construction industry, contributing to a diverse range of projects, including single-family residential developments in Antigua, the Volcano Bay Water Park in Orlando, and intelligent transportation infrastructure projects throughout...

🎙️ 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 moving to the United States on a student visa, navigating financial constraints and a competitive academic path. She earned dual master’s degrees in Architecture and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University with full funding and received the Henry Adams Medal and AIA C...

🎙️ 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 eases financial stress and allows me to focus fully on my thesis, which explores climate resilience and healthcare architecture. Long-term, I hope to lead interdisciplinary projects that reimagine healthcare spaces in the Caribbean spaces that reflect cultural identity, promote healing, and respond to environ...

🎙️ 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—including in a flower shop, babysitting, and house cleaning—before discovering her passion for architecture as an administrative assistant for a contractor in New York City, where she was part of the team that rebuilt One World Trade...

🎙️ 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 Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG).

At 27, Melissa relocated to New York City to continue her education and received a Master of Science in Sustainability from The City College of New York...

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 partnerships from 2025, and outlines the initiatives, priorities, and opportunities ahead in 2026.

This episode is dedicated to the community that makes IAC’s work possible: our collaborators, coauthors of past books, authors of blog’s articles, mentors and mentees, webinar speakers, podcas...

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 passionate about exploring architecture as a process rather than an end product—one that creates spaces that celebrate the ecological and cultural dynamics of our ways of dwelling. His work has been recognized nationally and internationally at the...

🎙️ 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 community in the design process to enhance the design's quality and social engagement.

Li is passionate about community-focused design and inclusive living. His research and pra...

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 University of Sharjah in the UAE, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Georgia Institute of Technology. She also serves as Associate Director on the Board of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), as the Middle East Area Editor for the forthcoming...

🎙️ 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-trained professional, Cloudiya shares her journey balancing family, career, and professional growth in hopes of inspiring the next generation of architects. 

Tune in to The Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast and don't...

🎙️ 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 effective and long-lasting environments. Anuya has been a dedicated volunteer for the community with her involvement with the Wisconsin Architectural Board, AIA, NCARB, and AMFP organizations.

Tune in to The Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast and d...

🎙️ 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 months of preparation, earning his license in 2022.

He currently serves as the Chair of the ARE Study Program Subcommittee for the AIA Austin chapter and is on a mission to make the path t...

🎙️ 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 Corps of Engineers and as a Capital Project Manager for the City of Dallas, TX.

She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from a sister school of Texas A&M in Bangladesh and a Mast...

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 State Academic Art Institute of Russian Academy of Arts in 2006, where she contributed to award-winning projects in educational and institutional design at a prominent Moscow-based studio. In 2008, she moved to New York State to pursue a second Master’s de...

🎙️ 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-efficient, human-centered architecture.

Manuel is the 2025 AIA National Associate Representative for Ohio and the 2023 Co-Chair of AIA Cincinnati’s Urban Design Committee. He holds an MBA from Universidad Interamericana de Panama and a Bachelor's in Architecture from In...

🎙️ 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 Humanity, a Wisconsin-based non-profit, Taruna has spearheaded global initiatives that bridge the gap between creative design and human need. Among her impactful projects are the 3D-printed school campus in Madagascar, prefabricated housing solutions for the homeles...

🎙️ 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! 

Alejandro is an Architect for RS&H's Health and science practice in Jacksonville, Florida, where he is responsible for the planning, design, delivery, and coordination of projects.

He is pursuing a specialty in Hea...

🎙️ 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 international architect and Principal of her NYC WBE-certified firm, Gemma Devesa Gasco Architecture PLLC, based in Brooklyn. With over 20 years of experience spanning Spain, Sweden, and the U.S., including work on the World Trade Center Transportation Hub whi...

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 Architecture & Urban Planning in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is also an International Associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in the U.S.

 Throughout his career, Juan has gained extensive experience in lux...

🎙️ 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 resilience of immigrant architects and designers. Subscribe now and join us on this incredible adventure! 

PATRICIA RAMALLO, AIA, NCARB, MBA
Assistant Vice President, International Relations, NCARB
 
Patricia Ramallo...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #14: Forging a Sustainable Future: a conversation with Eddy Santosa, AIA, LEED Fellow.

We are thrilled to announce the release of our new episode, where we delve into the inspiring world of immigrant architects. 

Eddy is a globally recognized leader in sustainable building strategies and design, boasting over 24 years of experience. He has successfully delivered high-performance, sustainable designs for more than 300 building projects across the US and internationally.

Eddy’s exceptional contributions to the field have earned him the prestigious title of LEED Fellow from the US Green Building...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #13: Emerging as a Future Architect:  A Conversation with the 2024 IAC Scholarship Winner Kuna Bhardwaj.

We are thrilled to announce the release of our new episode, where we delve into the inspiring world of immigrant architects. 

Kunal Bhardwaj is a recent graduate from NC State University with a Bachelor of Environmental and Design (BEDA) and a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch). He plans to move to New York City to practice architecture in the coming year and is currently working at Hobgood Architects. In addition to designing spaces, Kunal is an avid...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #12: Legacy of Design: A Mother-Daughter Journey in Architecture, by Esther Sherman and Laura Sherman, AIA.

We are thrilled to announce the release of our new episode, where we delve into the inspiring world of immigrant architects. 

Esther Sherman, originally from the Philippines, is currently a retired architect who previously worked at the University of Georgia. Despite her shift to handmade crafts post-retirement, she remains deeply connected to the architecture profession. Esther's architectural journey began in the early '70s when she earned her Bachelor's degree in Architecture at the Univer...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #11: Radically Authentic, by Meghana Joshi, AIA, NOMA.

We are thrilled to announce the release of our new episode, where we delve into the inspiring world of immigrant architects. 

Meghana Joshi is an award-winning architect and Managing Principal at MG2 in Irvine, CA. Her work in Affordable Housing and Senior-living projects has been honored with accolades, including SAGE Gold, PCBC Gold Nugget, SoCal, Argentum, and NAHB awards. Committed to fostering Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice, she plays pivotal roles at AIA Orange County, as the founder of the Women in Archit...

Shaped by years of globetrotting and an insatiable passion for the practice, Sara Jazayeri is an award-winning licensed Architect and certified Interior Designer.

Sara began her studies in Paris, France, receiving a master’s degree in architecture from L’Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris La Villette.

Recently, she finished a two years business program, CCBP, at Columbia University.

In 1996 she traveled to New York to work at the United Nations headquarters and later worked in architectural firms before establishing her own firm, Studio 360, in 2008. The New York based architecture and interio...

🎙️ Listen to the IAC Podcast Episode #09: Balancing Acts: 

Mentorship, Goals & the Immigrant Experience with Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA.

We are thrilled to announce the release of our new episode, where we delve into the inspiring world of immigrant architects. 

Originally from New Delhi, Saakshi Terway is a licensed architect from India currently working at Quinn Evans in Washington DC. As a design professional, she has contributed to many featured mixed-use, multi-family, senior living, and adaptive reuse projects. After working in India for 2 years, Saakshi graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a master’s degree...

Gabriela is originally from Brazil, and is also a citizen of Italy and the United States. Gabriela is an Associate Principal and the Strategic Practice Manager at Utile, where she treats the practice like a design project. In her role, she works to formalize and advance architectural and planning processes in relation to firm-wide management, strategy, and culture. Prior to joining Utile, Gabriela worked for over ten years as a project architect for academic spaces. Gabriela is also an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She has taught studios at the Boston Architectural...

Born and raised in Venezuela, Christian studied architecture at Universidad Simón Bolívar. After three years as a partner in his own firm, he traveled to Ithaca, New York, to attend Cornell University and obtain a master’s degree in History of Architecture.

His family left Venezuela the following year, so Christian needed a job as an architect to remain in the US. He was fortunate to be hired in the summer of 1987 when he also started the ARE process to become licensed, which he accomplished in 1991, the same year he met the woman who would beco...

Oyuki is originally from Merida, Mexico, and she relocated to Pittsburgh in 2012. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Architecture from the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Facultad de Arquitectura. She is a licensed architect in Mexico and is currently in the process of obtaining her architectural license in Pennsylvania. Additionally, she holds a certificate degree in Green and Sustainable Building Design. Oyuki serves as the 2021-2023 PA State Associate Representative (STAR) and is also on the board of directors and serves as the social media coordinator for the Immigrant Architect Coalition (IAC). Passionate about sustainability, commercial design, an...

Kun Lim is the President of Kun Lim Studio LLC in Seattle, USA, and Principal Designer of Kun Lim Architect in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His portfolio encompasses a wide range of project types, including mixed-use, multifamily, commercial, athletic, campus, worship, medical, recreational and township planning across Asia and the United States. His concept master plan proposal while working for BEP Architect, won the invited design competition for Putrajaya, the new Administrative Capital City of Malaysia, in 1994. He then served as the lead planner for the master planning of Putrajaya from 1994 to 1996 with the multi-disciplinary consortium Kumpulan Perunding Kota Bistari...

Jack Ossa is a versatile professional known for his roles as an architect, designer, and podcaster. Originally from Medellin, Colombia, he earned his architecture degree in Bogota before immigrating to the United States shortly after graduating. As a first-generation immigrant, Jack possesses the unique combination of bilingualism and biculturalism, which he leverages to foster positive change at the nexus of design, strategy, and technology.

Jack's journey led him to accumulate valuable experience at national and international design firms. Ultimately, he took a bold step toward realizing his lifelong dream by founding Ossa Studio, an Architecture and Brand...

Willy Zambrano, FAIA, is the Founder and Design Principal in Charge at Zambrano Architectural Design, an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio in Freeport, Long Island. Willy’s studio focuses on designing for diverse clientele and building typologies for the past 23 years. 

A graduate from City College of the City of New York and a first-generation immigrant, Willy began practicing in 1999 as partner at AHF Architects LLC, his former employer. In 2005, he established his own studio, Zambrano Architectural Design LLC, where he began focusing on health care facilities, multi-family, institutional and commercial design. His award-winning studio enabled him to pur...

Gloria Kloter, AIA, NCARB, CODIA, is an award-winning architect, founder and CEO of Glow Architects, a bestselling author, and a keynote speaker. Gloria has been a practicing architect in her home country (Dominican Republic) and the United States since 2004. She has dedicated much of her career to helping other young architects grow. As a leader in the architecture community, she founded Foreign Architects, a private online community where she mentors young and aspiring immigrant architects on how to obtain their architect license in the United States. 

Join the IAC and Gloria for an inspiring conversation about architecture, m...

In this captivating episode of the Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast, join hosts Graciela Carrillo, Shahad Sadeq, and Yu-Ngok Lo as they delve into the inspiring stories of fellow immigrant architects who have overcome adversity and made their mark in the field. Through candid conversations and thought-provoking discussions, the hosts will shed light on the unique experiences and challenges immigrant architects face while exploring the transformative power of architecture in shaping communities. In this episode, they shared their experience founding the Immigrant Architects Coalition and talked about the group's upcoming projects.

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