J.E.D.I. COMMITTEE 2024
COMMITTEE CHAIR BIOS
Chair
Arman Massahi, AIA
Originally from the picturesque city of Tabriz, Arman was inspired to become an architect due to all the amazing building designs throughout the City. After receiving his Bachelor’s in Architectural Engineering degree from IAUT in 2011, Arman ventured out to Los Angeles where he graduated with a Master of Architecture degree from SCI-Arc. As an immigrant, he sees the necessity of JEDI discussion in a variety level of societies to promote public awareness. His experience in designing projects in Los Angeles for the past ten years has driven him to become an architect with a deep knowledge of building systems. He has been with KFA Architecture as a project architect since 2019. He had the chance to work on several affordable housing projects where his passion for architecture meets his beliefs in Justice, Equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
Vice Chair
Breana Weaver
Breana Weaver joined PCL Construction – California Buildings as Assistant Manager of Diversity & Inclusion in March 2021. In this role, Weaver leads business inclusion efforts and manages DEI strategy for PCL’s $1 billion California Buildings District and serves as an advisor for companywide initiatives. She also manages the ambitious community outreach, workforce development and local hire initiatives for Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3-mile-long outdoor museum along Crenshaw Boulevard celebrating Black culture in Los Angeles. A South LA native, born and raised in the Crenshaw district, Breana is passionate about holistic approaches to addressing industry-wide challenges such as a lack of diversity and workforce shortages, while creating equitable access to high-paying construction careers and contracts.
Before coming to PCL, Weaver served Los Angeles Council District 8 for five years as a member of City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s team as senior jobs and legislative deputy and chair of the City’s Targeted Local Hire Task Force. Additionally, she drove the development of key policy issues and legislation related to economic development, housing, and public safety. She is also an alumni of the Coro Fellowship for Public Policy, an intensive nine-month leadership development program where she gained cross-sector training an experience through a rotation of placements that included Northrup Grumman, LA Metro, Yellow Cab and a campaign for state senate.
Breana was recently appointed to serve as a board member for the Greater Los Angeles African America Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) Board of Directors, Vice Chair of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Southern California National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) J.E.D.I. Committee (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion), and member of the Association of General Contractors (AGC) of California DE&I Steering Committee.
With professional experience in both the private and public sectors, Weaver believes strongly in the power of collaborative initiatives that incorporate both business and community interests.
Past Chair
Johanna Hauser, AIA
Johanna Hauser grew up in Austin, Texas and spent much of her childhood observing dramatic landscapes and old buildings on road trips with her family. After studying German literature at Bard College, she landed a temp job as a receptionist at an inspiring architecture firm in San Francisco, which led her to pursue a Masters in Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. During that time, she traveled to Europe, studying the effects of fascism on the built environment in pre-war Italy and post-war Germany. A collage artist at heart, Johanna sees architecture as a practice of working with what’s available, be it good, bad or ugly. Her belief that anything can be uplifted, however broken it may appear, combined with her love of complex puzzles, makes her happiest working on adaptive reuse projects and organizing around restorative justice. She has over a decade of professional experience, and is currently employed at KFA.
