Nicole Buhles, ACM, CM-BIM, Assoc. AIA – Associate Principal Practice Technology Leader, HED

Nicole Buhles is an Associate Principal, Practice Technology Leader at HED. She combines 15 years of experience with emerging technologies, to expertly coach, implement and push the boundaries of what’s possible in architectural and engineering practice. Market Sectors: Higher Ed, Pre K-12, Community.

Melvin Williams, III, Assoc. AIA – Regional Practice Technology Leader, HKS

Melvin Williams III serves as the Regional Practice Technology Leader at HKS Inc., where he leverages over 20 years of architectural experience to guide teams in implementing cutting-edge design technology and fostering innovation across the American West Region. He champions digital best practices throughout all project stages, from pre- and post-commissioning to construction administration, integrating digital tools to enhance decision-making, streamline workflows, and optimize project outcomes. Dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary coordination, he implements the latest BIM, QA/QC management, VDC technologies, AI and data analytics to ensure seamless collaboration and efficiency across teams and disciplines.

Thesla Collier, Intl. Assoc. AIA – Design Technology Manager, HNTB

Bachelor’s in architecture from the University of Honduras and has worked in the AEC Industry for over 25 years. Actively works with users to elevate their knowledge baseline to improve their skills on multiple software platforms. Seeking new avenues of technology to improve Design workflows possible to conceive, visualize, and adapt to a project’s specific needs.

Taylor Schmidt – Founder/CEO, Corbu

Taylor Schmidt grew up in a construction family and studied architecture at the University of Notre Dame. He worked at four different high-end residential firms in Chicago and LA before starting his own design consulting practice. Today, he works at the intersection of AI and Architecture on a startup called Corbu. They focus on improving the field of architecture through technology, creative problem-solving, and missing middle housing.

Cody Nowak – Founder, CUBE

Cody Nowak brings over 20 years of experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, focusing on advancing Building Information Modeling (BIM), AI integration, and immersive technologies. His work has improved collaboration, efficiency, and sustainability across a range of projects.

Driven by a passion for practical innovation, Cody is dedicated to helping teams harness cutting-edge tools to navigate the evolving challenges of design and construction. His thoughtful approach continues to contribute to a more connected and forward-thinking future for the built environment.

Jack Rusk, Assoc. AIA – Co-Founder & CEO, C.Scale

Jack Rusk is the Co-Founder and CEO of C.Scale, a whole life decarbonization platform working to democratize access to climate mitigation tools across the built environment. He serves on the ILFI Energy+Carbon Technical Advisory Group, represents the AIA on the ECHO steering committee, contributes to the AIA 2030 Commitment working group, and peer reviews embodied carbon publications for RMI, CLF, and the US GSA. Previously, he was Director of Climate Strategy at EHDD. 

Paul Doherty, Registered Architect, CSI, CDT, IFMA Fellow, DFC Senior Fellow – Managing Partner of The Digit Group, Inc. TDG

Paul is Managing Partner of The Digit Group, Inc. TDG (www.thedigitgroupinc.com), a Singapore-registered Smart City real estate development and investment company. As seen on Bloomberg TV and The Wall Street Journal, acknowledged by CNBC as one of America’s Business Titans and reported by Forbes as “Changing the World”, Paul is an award-winning architect. a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council and a Fellow of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). Concurrently, Paul is the co-founder and producer of the critically acclaimed AEC Hackathon (www.aechackathon.com). His 2 latest books are “Smart Cities: Reimagining the Urban Experience” published by Quality Press and “Unlocking the Metaverse: A Strategic Guide for the Future of the Built Environment”, published by John Wiley & Sons, which rated #1 New Release and an Editor’s Pick on Amazon.com.

Erik Narhi, AIA – Computational Design Lead at Buro Happold

Erik Narhi is an architect working at the intersection of computation, design, and engineering. He is the Global Specialists Development and Game Engine Adoption Lead at Buro Happold, where he leads a multidisciplinary team of computationally inclined individuals. His team’s work focuses on leveraging emerging technologies in computer science, architecture, engineering and game development to transform the way buildings are designed, analyzed and delivered.

Amanda Gioia, Registered Architect, NCARB, LEED Green Assoc. – Associate Practice Technology Leader at HED

Amanda Gioia is an Associate Practice Technology Leader at HED, an Architecture, Engineering, and Planning Firm. She guides the strategic implementation of BIM and innovative design technologies across Workplace, Housing, and Mixed-Use projects. A licensed architect with experience in Canada and the USA, Amanda specializes in computational design. She is passionate about integrating machine learning and generative design into architectural workflows and excels at leading teams, mentoring professionals, and delivering high-quality projects.

Abena Darden – VP Sustainability and Resilience at Thornton Tomasetti

Abena Darden is a Vice President with the Sustainability and Resilience Practice at Thornton Tomasetti, a multi-disciplinary engineering firm. With close to 17 years in the green building industry, Abena provides sustainability consulting for large- and small-scale developments for a range of clients including hospitality, life-sciences, healthcare, commercial, higher education, non-profit, and residential developers. Her role includes leading a team of consultants, engineers, and analysts, to develop sustainable policy, standards, and guidelines, strategic planning, and project initiation. She has served on several advisory cohort groups for the USGBC, is a LEED AP, Fitwel Ambassador, and Envision Sustainability Professional.

Anne Carpenter – Director of Sales at Global eTraining

Anne Carpenter, the Director of Sales at Global eTraining, has been instrumental in delivering Global eTraining’s advanced knowledge management solutions to the AEC industry for the past 11 years. Anne is dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for her clients. With 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, followed by another 17 years in various sales and leadership roles selling technical services including accounting, engineering, education, and IT consulting, Anne brings a wealth of expertise to her position. She is objective, passionate, and an attentive listener with a strong ability to identify the underlying need for change and articulate it effectively. Anne excels at managing complex projects involving multiple decision-makers and requirements, ensuring the successful adoption of new knowledge management technologies, including AI.

Leo Salcé – Principal, Avant Leap & Technology Strategist

Leo Salcé is a seasoned Technology Strategist with two decades of experience in technology consulting, delivering building life-cycle technology services and shaping innovative solutions for complex challenges. He holds degrees in Architecture and Computer Science. Leo has guided hundreds of AECO organizations worldwide. He is an educator, author, and lecturer on BIM, Sustainable Design, and the fusion of Digital Twins with IoT and Artificial Intelligence for practical industry applications. A frequent public speaker, Leo presents at international conferences like Autodesk University, BILT, AEC Next, Digital Built Week, Ashrae, Ecobuild, Techbuild, and others, delivering talks to inspire, educate, and provide actionable strategies.

Robert Yuen, Assoc. AIA – CEO and Co-Founder of Monograph

Robert Yuen, Assoc. AIA, is the CEO and Co-Founder of Monograph, a software company revolutionizing the future of architecture and engineering firm performance. Trained in architecture, Yuen recognized the need for better business tools and developed Monograph to address the challenges facing A/E professionals. As a result, he has become a leading voice in the industry, promoting the importance of A/E business performance and helping firms improve their workflows and profitability. His mission is to always be in service to the design professionals responsible for our built environment, letting them focus on what they love and do best.

About Monograph
Monograph is a project management platform built exclusively for architecture & engineering firms. Over 1,600 A/E firms use Monograph to gain clarity into their projects, budgets, time, and clients so their entire team can make smarter decisions.

Enrique Galicia – Director of Innovations and AI, Avant Leap

Enrique Galicia has spent 17 years exploring how technology can genuinely serve the needs of the AECO industry. As Director of Innovations and AI, he works across multiple projects worldwide, blending research, development, and hands-on experience to bridge the gap between advanced tools and real-world applications. His expertise spans AI-driven workflows, automation, and platform solutions, always aiming to make technology more intuitive and practical.
A natural educator and problem-solver, Enrique has trained thousands of professionals, not just through online courses but by being deeply involved in teaching, consulting, and developing solutions that simplify complex processes. Whether through AI-enhanced design automation, smarter data strategies, or integrating AI into decision-making, his work is about making technology work for people—not the other way around. He frequently shares insights at industry events like Autodesk University and BIM Summits, always focusing on real impact rather than just trends.

Erin Khan – Founder and Sr. Consultant, Erin Khan Consulting

Erin Khan is an established AEC technology leader, with over a dozen years combined experience in construction operations, data and process analysis, and software implementation. Founding Erin Khan Consulting in 2023, she currently provides technology and innovation services to both contractors and construction technology startups.
Prior to founding EKC, Erin served as the National Director of Construction Solutions for Suffolk Construction, overseeing national technology and innovation operations. Erin holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from USC, a certificate in Business Analytics from The Wharton School, and is EIT, LEED AP BD+C, and OSHA-10 certified.

Chun Liu, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP – Senior Associate, CO Architects

Chun Liu brings over 15 years of experience leading award-winning projects in healthcare, K-12, and higher education, focusing on creating sustainable, human-centered designs that enhance well-being. A passionate advocate for collaboration and mentorship to foster professional growth, Chun championed the establishment of CO FUNdamentals, a firm-wide knowledge-sharing platform, in 2023 at CO Architects.

Robin Franke – Adoption Specialist, Forma at Autodesk

Robin Franke is an Adoption Specialist for Autodesk Forma. Based in New York, she serves as Forma’s subject matter expert for customers in North America. In her role, she educates AEC professionals on how the incorporation of Forma in early-stage architectural workflows can promote data-based decision making that prioritizes sustainable design. Throughout her career, Robin’s passion has always been to create more livable cities and communities across the world. Prior to Autodesk, Robin worked at Esri as a Solution Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in GeoDesign and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Southern California.

Shervin Peyghambari – Digital Experience Designer, CO Architects

Shervin Peyghambari is a Digital Experience Designer at CO Architects with over 13 years in the architecture industry, including 9+ years specializing in technology-driven solutions. His work focuses on enhancing client engagement through immersive digital experiences, enabling real-time design adjustments and seamless collaboration across teams. By bridging the gap between design, technology, and user experience, Shervin ensures projects come together effectively within tight timelines. Passionate about the intersection of architecture and technology, he is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of how design is understood and experienced.

Venus Emrani – Sustainable Design Analyst, HMC Architects

Venus Emrani is an architectural engineer and sustainable design analyst with over a decade of experience in creating high-performance, environmentally responsible buildings. Certified in LCA and LEED AP BD+C, she specializes in leveraging advanced tools like Autodesk Forma to optimize daylight, energy efficiency, and embodied carbon. As a Sustainable Design Analyst at HMC Architects, she contributes to the firm’s commitment to sustainability by driving innovative, data-driven design solutions that enhance environmental performance and resilience.

August Miller – Senior Project Designer & Senior Associate, Perkins + Will

August Miller is a senior project designer at Perkins and Will. With experience on projects ranging from research intensive higher education to affordable housing, he brings a dynamic blend of design and process to push the boundaries of design and innovation. Through parametric processes, renderings and modeling, his commitment to design and sustainability ensures each project leaves a positive footprint, environmentally and within its community.

Billy Almon – Astrobiofuturist

Billy Almon is an Astrobiofuturist who uses nature’s hidden wonders to design innovative solutions for Earth and beyond. Through his Dream and Adapt Framework, Billy inspires leaders, educators, and creators to think boldly, adapt intelligently, and thrive in dynamic environments by applying biology-inspired strategies to solve complex challenges.

Previously, as a creative director for Walt Disney Imagineering, Billy has designed immersive experiences worldwide. He co-hosts Little Giants on Animal Planet and Discovery Plus, while exploring biomimicry’s role in innovation. An inventor and thought leader, he holds a Master’s in Biomimicry (ASU) and a Bachelor’s in Architecture (Howard University). His work integrates science, storytelling, and psychology to turn bold ideas into practical solutions.

Reg Prentice – CEO & Founder, TonicDM

Reg Prentice is the CEO and Founder of TonicDM, a cloud-based solution that brings simplicity, insight and organization to complex business communication. Founded in 2015, TonicDM maximizes the value of design thinking by aggregating and organizing project data for architecture and engineering firms. 

After earning his degree from Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Architecture, Reg spent 12 years at Gehry Partners, as Director of Information Management. His expertise was further honed during a nine-year tenure at Gensler, where he held various leadership roles and co-led groundbreaking research on sustainability and design processes. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of architectural practice and technology, Reg’s leadership philosophy centers on the value of simplicity through innovative products that deliver an exceptional user experience.