Our AIAPF Slate of 2025 Officers and Directors

  Michael McDonald, AIA
  President / 2025 President

Michael McDonald is the Director of Architecture for Bureau Veritas Group. Michael brings more than 20 years of diversified experience in architecture and interiors spanning projects from workplace, building repositioning, landlord services, office buildings, government and residential projects. Michael’s approach to design is idea-driven, while complemented by a strong technical background and attention to detail. He sees the design process as a close collaboration with clients, placing their goals and aspirations at the forefront. As a trusted leader, Michael’s commitment to clients has lead to multiple repeat projects. He has been on the AIAPF Board throughout 2023 and been involved with several of our chapter events, programs and projects.

Jessica Orlando, AIA
Vice President/President-Elect 

Jessica Orlando, as California Higher Education Practice Leader, focuses on delivering a positive and seamless experience for her Higher Education clients across the state and around the world. Jessica is an active member in the Southern California design community, focusing on issues related to equal representation of diverse perspectives in design professions and engaging with future generations of designers, engineers, and contractors. Her work through Architecture for Communities Los Angeles as Chair of the Design by Diversity (DxD) Committee has engaged with more than 200 organizations, education institutions, and companies as well as children of all ages to inspire interest and appreciation for design.

Jeanne Hariton, AIA
Secretary

At Hariton Engineering, Inc., Hariton provides firmwide strategic planning and client focused business development for the growth and expansion of a design engineering consulting firm. She is an experienced Project Manager and Architect with over 20 years of progressive responsibility for design and construction projects. Previous experiences include major commercial and institutional buildings, highly specialized scientific facilities and public agencies. Possesses an expertise in project planning, budget development and management, vendor selection and contract negotiation, user interface and communications and management of permitting processes. A personable leader who has an ability to work well with employees at all levels and tackle complex problems.

 Jonathan Kelly, AIA, LEED AP
 Treasurer

 Jonathan Kelly, AIA is Licensed Architect in the State of California, a LEED Accredited Professional with the U.S. Green Building Council, a  graduate of the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, and a Principal at Tyler+Kelly Architecture. Jon has accumulated over 14 years of professional experience in a variety of different project types including commercial, institutional, hospitality, mixed-use, multi-family residential, and single-family residential. Prior to Tyler+Kelly Architecture, Jon worked under the tutelage of two prestigious and celebrated traditional architects: Robert A.M. Stern in New York and Marc Appleton in Santa Monica. 

 Alex Athenson, AIA
 Director of Programs 

Alex Athenson is an Architect and Urban Designer at Moule & Polyzoides in Pasadena, CA. Mr. Athenson was born and raised in Lake Forest, IL, and has previously earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Chicago, as well as a Master of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame. With an expertise and passion for regional design, Mr. Athenson has contributed to a number of architecture and urban design projects with M&P throughout the country over his four year span with the firm since relocating from Chicago. He has undertaken several architectural research endeavors as well, with extensive study most notably in places such as Oakland, CA, Zanzibar, Tanzania, and most recently a study of urban reconstruction in postwar Germany.

Yin Liu, Assoc.AIA
Director of Sponsorship 

Yin Liu is a highly accomplished business development executive with nearly two decades of experience collaborating with all leaders in the AEC industry. He spearheads the business development effort at WET. As an accomplished business development executive, Yin brings a robust network and a proven track record of forging strategic collaborations to the chapter.

His work spans many international markets including the UK, Asia and Middle East, with notable groundbreaking developments such as Beijing Daxing Airport, Jewel at Singapore Changi Airport, Wynn Macau and Expo 2020 Dubai.

Educated in both the UK and US, Yin combines a strong technical foundation with strategic insight, holding a BA and MSc in engineering alongside an MBA. His diverse academic background grounding him in both technical and business perspectives effectively. Driven by a passion for excellence in the built environment, he is a dedicated advocate for innovation and creativity in sustainable development, and constantly striving to elevate standards in the industry.

 Nicholas Barger, AIA
 Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy

 Nicholas Barger is a licensed architect in California and a Senior Design Manager at Tesla. He holds a BA in History from the University of Washington   in Seattle, as well as a Master's Degree in Architecture from SCI-Arc. Nicholas is an advocate for emerging technologies, and the expansion of   architectural methodologies into the greater AEC industry. Both his education and professional experience have largely been focused on understanding the complexities inherent in curvature. His commitment to this topic is demonstrated through his work designing substructures for curved buildings across the country. Nicholas also led the design department for a manufacturer where he worked to create a more seamless integration between architects, fabricators, and builders through the development of new machines, software, workflows, and products. Paired with a commitment to a more sustainable future, these interests led him to his current role at Tesla. Nicholas believes that all things difficult are achieved as a team, and is excited to support and mentor the next generation. Some notable projects in the region he has worked on include the (W)rapper, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, the Sphere, and the Orange County Museum of Art.

Darci Wong, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Director of Membership

Darci Wong is a dynamic Senior Project Manager and licensed architect at Stantec, bringing a wealth of experience to the California Higher Education sector and Civic sector. Throughout her career, Darci has successfully managed a wide range of projects, from institutional developments to commercial and residential. Her attention to detail, knack for fostering collaborative environments, and dedication to exceeding client expectations truly set her apart. Beyond her professional achievements, Darci is deeply involved in the community, where she loves connecting people with one another in the industry and building meaningful relationships. Her exceptional leadership and project management skills have earned her a well-deserved reputation as a trusted and effective leader in the industry.

Sara Jandaghi Jafari, AIA, LEED AP BC+C
Director of Emerging Professionals

With a Master of Architecture from UMass Amherst, I’m also a Licensed General Contractor and LEED AP BC+C certified. My work centers on designing specialized environments for children, with a strong commitment to sustainable and functional design.

Director of Communications - Open Opportunity

This position is open. Please call the office at 626-796-7601 for more information.

James Spencer, FAIA
Citizen Architect

James Spencer FAIA graduated from USC School of Architecture in 1965. After two years of active duty in the Navy, he began a 13-year   career at Neptune & Thomas working mainly under its co-founder, Joseph Thomas FAIA. During his Neptune & Thomas career, he became   licensed   in 1970 and was primarily a designer developing community college projects such as an entirely new community college in Marin   County and a theater at Los Angeles Pierce College. Other projects included one of the largest full-care retirement homes in the state, a   middle school, a music building at UCLA, and a theater at Pepperdine University. Leaving Neptune & Thomas in 1980 he founded his own   firm that eventually became Spencer/Hoskins associates with a staff of 24 in Altadena. The firm became an expert in the field of community   colleges and when sold in 2007 was working with 15 colleges, three of them entirely new campuses.  

His work was honored with four AIA PF design awards plus two state-wide preservation awards and two state-wide community college design awards. He became preeminent in the master planning of colleges and universities, having written over 30 master plan documents for campuses throughout the state, including the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center, an AIA PF Award winner. It is for his planning that he was honored in 2019 with Fellowship in the AIA. 

Jim served on the AIA PF Board from 1979 through 1985 and chaired our honor awards programs in 1980 and 1986.

 Alex Phung, AIA, CDT
 Member-at-Large

 Project Architect at Perkins&Will with a B.Arch. from California State Polytechnic, Pomona. Phung’s work is focused on the technical     coordination of healthcare and commercial projects. Always looking for new opportunities for learning, and being of service to our AIAPF   community.

Andrea Cabalo, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA
Director at large / Past President

Andrea Cabalo is a Higher Education Studio Client Leader with SMITHGROUP. She has over 25 years of experience managing programmatically complex buildings on college and university campuses in California and Hawaii. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Hawaii and is currently a licensed architect in the State of California, a LEED AP in Building Design + Construction and a DBIA Designated Design-Build Professional.  Andrea has the unique ability to absorb and retain details discussed during project development which ensures the clients’ needs are met, and the design intent is realized in the completed work. Her main strength is team building, which gives her the ability to navigate challenging issues to a successful outcome for all involved.  Andrea is currently leading design teams at USC and Caltech in southern California. As a strong advocate for licensure, Andrea is re-energizing the study group committee at SMITHGROUP by focusing on supporting licensure, accreditation, certification, and intern development through mentoring.