Alejandra was born and raised in northern Mexico. She currently advises international agencies, local governments, and community-led organizations in urban policy matters. She previously worked as the Deputy Director at UCLA’s cityLAB, assistant national manager of urban regeneration at Mexico’s leading housing authority, INFONAVIT, as a community engagement and design fellow in LA-Más, and as a lecturer of sociology, urban planning, and architecture at the University of Monterrey and Carolina University.

Alejandra holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Monterrey, a master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles, a master’s in Architecture of Urban Design from University College London, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Oxford researching the institutionalization of self-help housing policies in Mexico.

Elizabeth is a third generation architect born in Texas and raised in Los Angeles. Elizabeth has been named an Emerging Voice by the Architecture League, Women of the Year by Los Angeles Magazine, Curbedʼs Young Gun of the Year, Next City Vanguard 2019 (recipient of the Vanguard Big Idea Challenge,) and Exhibit Columbus Washington Street Civic Leader. She is currently an adjunct teacher at Cal Poly Pomona and has taught at Woodbury and Harvard Universities.

When not on juries or teaching Elizabeth writes in journals and publications like Manifest Journal, Log 48, and Tablula Plena. Previously, Elizabeth co-founded and co-directed LA-Más, a community development non-profit, where she led numerous projects and initiatives. She holds a bachelor degree in Architecture from the University of Southern California and a master’s in Architecture from Harvard University.

Drew is a registered architect, educator, and Los Angeles native. He is an Adjunct Professor at Cal Poly Pomona where he teaches design studios. Drew’s professional work includes significant experience with adaptive reuse of historic and other existing buildings, while his educational concentration is in urban design and housing strategies. His current academic research centers around architectures of alternative housing tenure arrangements, a topic he explored as the ’21 recipient of the Cavin Family Traveling Fellowship.

Drew holds a bachelors in Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona and a master’s in Housing and Urbanism from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London.

Alicia Jones is an architectural designer specializing in housing and community-based design. At Office Of: Office, she plays a key role in the Community Rebuilding Response (CRR) program in Altadena, supporting homeowners as they rebuild after wildfire loss. Previously, at Kadre Architects, she helped lead several Project Homekey initiatives, converting motels into supportive housing campuses across Southern California. Her experience spans transitional housing, community centers, and single-family rebuilds, with a focus on resilience and equity in the built environment. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Masters in Architecture from Yale University.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Olivia experienced the vibrancy and chaos of a sprawling, diverse, car-centric, humid city. After studying urban studies at the University of Texas at Austin, she grew interested in comparative urban research, specifically looking at place-based interventions to address social and economic injustices. Olivia brings this expertise in community engagement, policy research, and urban planning to her work at the local level.

She received her master’s in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in Design & Development from the University of California, Los Angeles. There, she conducted research on approaches to increasing affordable housing production in California through analysis of Certified 6th Cycle Housing Elements, social housing opportunities in Los Angeles, and housing stability policies critical for equitable green space development along the LA River. She is interested in public space, social imaginaries, equitable development, community-driven planning and design, and housing justice.

Daniela is a graduate from Cal Poly Pomona, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. During her time there, she developed a strong interest in residential design and policy and community-engaged design practices. Previously, she gained valuable experience as a design fellow at LA Más where she focused on visualizing housing projects and community engagement initiatives. She works across projects identifying the social and spatial implications of housing design, policy, and programming.

Allise is a designer, writer, and a proud Angeleno. Her interests are in family housing, self-expression of identity through architecture, and the complexities and mismatches between the home and the law. She holds a BA in Politics from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

Kiana recently graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a minor in Entrepreneurship. Kiana intends to combine her areas of study to design sustainable structures, systems, and solutions that address inequities and promote resilience in marginalized communities, especially through the development of affordable housing. Kiana has previously taken strides towards these goals through helping facilitate a comprehensive ADU program in a predominantly Latine community during her time as the former Community Design Fellow at Office of: Office. Currently, she supports equitable rebuilding efforts for Altadena and Palisades residents through SoCal NOMA’s Altadena Rebuild Coalition, and through her current role as an Architectural Intern at Office of: Office.