Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast
The Immigrant Architects Coalition Podcast explores immigrant architects and designers' unique experiences and perspectives. Join us as we delve into the topics that matter most to this dynamic community, including career success, business ownership, immigration laws, and mentorship. Our guests come from diverse backgrounds and share their stories of overcoming challenges and achieving success in the field of architecture and design. Whether you're a newcomer to the industry or a seasoned professional, our podcast offers valuable insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories to help you navigate your career as an immigrant architect or designer.
Episodes
🎙️ 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, te...
🎙️ 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 kn...
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 ...
🎙️ 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 st...
🎙️ 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 ...
🎙️ 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, an...
🎙️ 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, Meliss...
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 i...
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 architect...
🎙️ 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 en...
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 U...
🎙️ 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 sha...
🎙️ 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 environ...
🎙️ 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 lice...
🎙️ 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 Proj...
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 Russ...
🎙️ 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 architectur...
🎙️ 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-profi...
🎙️ 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&apos...
🎙️ 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...
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