Our BOARD
Please contact specific committees for committee-related inquiries.
Allison Lane is a Senior Associate and Multifamily Studio Lead in the Asset Advisory + Architecture practice in the Buildings + Places group at AECOM Metro New York.
With 14+ years of experience in architecture, interior design, and real estate development, she has worked on the design, construction, and project management of six million+ square feet of property, totaling more than $5 billion in construction costs.
Lane has a proven track record in diverse project types including luxury high-end residential, hotel-hospitality, mixed-use residential, and commercial, in addition to leading asset management projects and programs. She has managed educational, institutional, and affordable housing projects, including the New York City Housing Authority’s Physical Needs Assessment where she serves as a Program Manager, and its Comprehensive Modernization Program where she was the Design Program Manager. Additionally, she leads the Multifamily Residential Studio for AECOM’s New York Metro Office, working on affordable and market-rate residential and mixed-use pursuits.
Lane is the current President of the New York Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Architecture from Pratt Institute.
Stephen Michael Wilder is an Architect & Entrepreneur from Harlem, New York with 20 years of experience working in the built environment. Stephen is a very ambitious person who is rooted in creativity and the desire to be innovative in new and existing spaces. Stephen is dedicated to using his status, resources, and influence to better his community and other similar communities.
For the last 10 years, Stephen has worked on building his architectural firm Think Wilde Architecture. In the competitive and detail-oriented industry of architecture, there is not a day where Stephen is not juggling business, creativity, and technology. Stephen plans to use his business and architecture as a platform to help change the way underserved people live, work, and play.
He has professional affiliations with the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Stephen has a Master’s degree in Science of
Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from
Howard University.
As a new member of the executive board, Stephen looks forward to working collaboratively with the other board members. He will help to continue to steer the organization in a direction that increases awareness of the organization and its members. He will familiarize himself with the needs of the members and identify solutions that will not only maintain a sustainable future but also a thriving one. Specific things that are important to Stephen include, bridging the intergenerational gap amongst the community of minority architects, identifying and strengthening the presence of member firms, and creating a strategy to end the blatant overlooking of black architects for viable urban projects without giving due attention.
GREGORY SWITZER,
AIA, NOMA, NCARB
Immediate Past President
Gregory Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, founded SWITZER Architecture, P.C., as a uniquely positioned architectural practice with an emphasis on design and the management of the design process in 2003 as a response to the ever-changing architecture and interiors marketplace, to provide design-conscious projects with the highest level of attention to detail and cost. He is responsible for day-to-day firm-wide operations as Managing Principal and CEO. Switzer’s extensive and unparalleled experience in multiple project situations allows him to work with clients and project teams to establish and maintain overall project direction with clarity and focused direction.
Firm projects encompass the perfect balance between creative thought and the leveraged use of technology with a true sensitivity and appreciation of process and their effects on the built environment. Committed to guiding clients through the often-tedious tasks of organization and understanding the impact of the built environment concerning their unique projects. He believes every client’s unique needs are always addressed during the firm’s true hands-on process of implementation.
Switzer has extended experience with several notable architectural and design firms totaling more than 30 years of hands-on practical knowledge. He maintains memberships in organizations such as nycoba|NOMA where he served a two-year term as President (2021-2022), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the New York Chapter of The American Institute of Architects and is currently a member of the Borough of Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Board. He previously served as a member of Queens Community Board# 2 for more than 7 years with a stint as Vice-Chairperson and was an active member of the Land Use Committee.
He received a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and a Bachelor of Interior Design from Louisiana State University. He was also a research fellow at Cornell University and has authored several sections of various books and publications which include the Interior Design Handbook of Professional Practice.
Keristen Edwards is an Atlanta-born, New Orleans-raised architectural designer and educator. From a young age, Keristen was surrounded by a family of makers, artists, and educators, which instilled a deep appreciation for the power of creativity and design.
Keristen earned her Master of Architecture and Master of Sustainable Real Estate Development degrees from Tulane University. This educational experience sparked a deep sense of responsibility as a designer and a desire to hone her skills to design sustainable, accessible, and socially responsible spaces. As part of the inaugural NOMA Future Faces Foundation cohort, Keristen came to New York to work at Ennead Architects, where she currently supports research, healthcare and community engagement efforts.
In addition to her work at Ennead, Keristen is also an educator at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her passion for teaching stems from her belief that architecture is more than just a profession, it is a way of showing love and serving people's needs.
NADEEN HASSAN,
ASSOC. AIA, LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE, NOMA
Corresponding Secretary
Nadeen is a Junior Architect with experience in all project phases including zoning study, schematic design, design development, and construction documentation. She has primarily worked on residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. Nadeen is eager to dive into affordable housing, infrastructure, and public projects that have a large impact on the community.
As a New York City native with Egyptian heritage, Nadeen witnessed the lack of resources and care for refugees and low-income families—this disparity inspired her to become an architect. Nadeen has the drive to positively influence and improve the lives of the underserved. For her, a designer must have the sensitivity needed to impact individual lives with care dedicated to building occupants, neighbors, the environment, and the economy.
Bradley DeBose is a professional who has a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Auburn University and a Master's degree from Georgia Institute of Technology. He has over 11 years of experience in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industries. Brad uses his Architecture background in Business Development and Marketing to produce effective RFP and RFQ responses while working at Urbahn Architects.
Apart from his job, he mentors and lends his talent to the Professional Development Committee of nycoba|NOMA, and also serves on the Executive Board for Family Promise of Hudson County.
Tochi Mgbenwelu started her journey into architecture at Fordham University, right here in NYC, where she majored in visual arts, concentrating in Architecture with minors in Pre-Professional Design and Arabic. She went on to hone her skills by getting a Master’s in Architecture at Parsons School of Design where she was able to explore her deep interest in designing spaces that center people's overall well-being. Currently, Tochi is a Project Manager at Composite Construction Management, a goal coach, and an adjunct professor at Fordham University. In her free time, she enjoys developing ideas around how to curate spaces for folks to explore creativity and build community.
Mel Loyola Agosto is an architect at MARVEL, based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was born on the island and grew up in Texas, before moving to the East Coast to pursue her college education. After earning her BFA in Film/Animation/Video, she worked in the art department for various projects in film, theatre, animation, and installations. Mel later went back to school to earn her March, and switched to the field of architecture. After working and living in NYC for more than a decade, Mel relocated to Puerto Rico and has been working on initiatives and projects in both locations.
Mel is a member of nycoba|NOMA, having served in various roles such as the executive board corresponding secretary, ARE Study Group Co-Chair, Project Pipeline Co-Chair, and a former member of the Membership Committee. She also volunteers for Techos Pa’Mi Gente, a non-profit in Puerto Rico dedicated to rebuilding roofs for damaged homes, as well as other supportive community programs.
With a two-decade career in architecture and advocacy, Kavitha Mathew leads KPF’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, as well as the development and implementation of the firm’s global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment. Mathew oversees KPF’s many internal Communities such as KPF Public, KPF Pride, and KPF+, and she helps guide KPF’s recruitment and resourcing, as well as its philanthropic and volunteer efforts.
Leveraging her experience as an architect, Mathew’s work at KPF has a project-focused component, advising on engagement and communication with the community. Mathew is also the Founder and President of Equity Co:LAB, and acted as Special Projects Director of the American Institute of the AIANY until 2022. Previously Director of Corporate Architectural Services for Ralph Lauren, she has also worked in various architectural roles at firms including KPF, Spacesmith, and Ted Moudis Associates, as well as her own practice. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia as well as a Master of Architecture from Columbia University.
As the newly appointed Marketing Director and a proud member of the executive board at the New York Organization for Minority Architects, Morgan is honored to be part of an institution that has significantly contributed to her personal and professional growth since 2017. NOMA has not only provided her with invaluable connections but also led Morgan to her current professional role.
Morgan's journey in architecture is deeply rooted in her passion for community and environmental sustainability. She believes that the essence of architectural design lies in its ability to harmoniously blend with its surroundings while serving the needs of the community. Over the years, Morgan has successfully spearheaded marketing initiatives and proposal development for a diverse array of projects, from sports complexes and mixed-use developments to residential designs. Her role in architectural proposal management and branding has been instrumental in shaping her understanding of the industry.
In her current role, Morgan is excited to bring her expertise in marketing and business management to the table. She is committed to amplifying the voices of minority architects and promoting the incredible work nycoba|NOMA does as an organization.
past executive board members
president
president-elect
Gregory T. Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB (2021-22)
Samantha Josaphat, RA, NOMA, NCARB, LEED GA (2019-20)
Ibrahim Greenidge, NOMA, RA (2017-18)
Pascale Sablan (2015-16)
Mark Gardener (2014)
Tonja Adair (2012-13)
Kelly Powell (2010-11)
Heather Oneal (2004-05)
Zevilla Jackson Preston
Jack Travis
Roberta Washington
Allison Lane, RA, AIA, ASID, NCARB, NCIDQ, LEED AP, WELL AP, NOMA (2022)
Talisha L. Sainvil, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, LEED (2021)
Gregory T. Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB (2019-20)
Samantha Josaphat, NOMA, AIA, LEED (2018)
vice president
Oral Selkridge, NOMA, RA, LEED AP (2017)
corresponding secretary
recording secretary
Mel Loyola Agosto, NOMA (2021-22)
Maya Madison, Assoc. AIA, NOMA (2019-20)
Shakera Kyle, NOMA, Assoc. AIA, Allied ASID (2017-18)
Leslie Epps, NOMA (2022-24)
Maimouna Sow, NOMA (2020-21)
Sharlita Green, NOMA (2017-18)
treasurer
parliamentarian
Lopita Das, Assoc. AIA, NOMA (2022-24)
Ellen Abraham, MBA, NOMA, Assoc. AIA (2020-21)
Jeffrey Charles-Pierre, NOMA, Assoc. AIA (2017-19)
Maya Madison, AIA, NOMA, NCARB (2022)
Jeffrey Charles-Pierre, NOMA, Assoc. AIA (2021)
Camille Sherrod, RA, NOMA, NCARB (2019-20)
Joseph Cole, NOMA (2018)
Anaelechi Owunwanne, NOMA (2017)