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As an AIA Member, thank you for taking the opportunity to vote in AIA Philadelphia's 2025 Board of Directors election.
AIA Philadelphia's Nominating Committee has selected candidates for the 2025 Board of Directors. You can review the candidate bios on the ballot by clicking the button below, MUST BE LOGGED IN TO VIEW CANDIDATE BIOS.
The election period will close on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 11:59 pm. Results will follow.
Catherine Broh, AIA
President-Elect
Katie Broh, AIA is a Partner at MGA Partners in Philadelphia, specializing in academic and cultural projects. She plays an active role in Philadelphia's arts scene, serving on the boards of non-profits like Musicopia and Dancing Classrooms Philly, and has contributed to the AIA at both local and state levels. With 12 years of experience as an adjunct faculty member at Drexel University, she has taught architecture design studios and thesis work. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, Katie is recognized for her leadership in the field and community. Check out Katie's full bio on her website profile here.
Robert Shuman Jr., AIA LEED AP
Treasurer
Robert Shuman’s practice focuses on creating meaningful works that enhance human experience while considering their impact on the environment. He views architecture, whether large buildings or small furniture, as a careful assembly of diverse and often contradictory elements. With over 35 years in institutional architectural practice, many of his projects have received awards and environmental certifications. Additionally, he has four decades of individual design practice, including furniture design and residential construction.
Kevin Malawski AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Director of Advocacy
Kevin Malawski has over ten years of experience working as an architect in Philadelphia, PA . His background is predominantly in commercial, academic, and sports architecture where he has had the opportunity to work on high profile projects at universities & stadiums with large, complex building typologies. When not designing or planning for the firm, he’s often running, camping, or lost in another book.
Elsa G. De León, Assoc. AIA
Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Elsa De León is an Architectural Designer at MGA Partners. She supports the firm’s large scale academic designs as well as those involving MGA’s GSA Design Excellence projects. These are centered on progressive and flexible interiors delivering acute solutions involving multiple stakeholders and users. She also brings a continuous professional engagement with historic building construction, having specialized in architectural and cultural preservation during her studies. Elsa is proud to be a Mexican native. She received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her interest in Cultural Heritage and Historic Urban Precincts allowed her the opportunity to participate in multiple research in San Antonio and L’Aquila, Italy. Elsa delights with integrating her experience in her professional environment, and connects with the local community during her free time. She is an advocate for international students, women in the built environment, immigrants and refugees.
Raphaella Pereira, Assoc. AIA
Director of Philadelphia Emerging Architects
Raphaella is an architectural professional who uses her drive and enthusiasm to foster better connections between architecture and its users. She is an architectural designer at Wallace, Roberts, and Todd (WRT), where she focuses on affordable housing and education projects. She has experience in residential, commercial, and retail design throughout Philadelphia, and has a background in lighting design. Raphaella is also an adjunct professor at Drexel University, where she earned her Bachelor of Architecture in 2021 after completing her thesis that explored the use of biophilia and human-centered design to create a mental wellness center in São Paulo, Brazil. Since graduating, she continues to be active in the Drexel community serving as a juror for student reviews. Raphaella is passionate about building communities for students and professionals since being involved with her university’s AIAS Chapter. She continues her passion as a member of WRT’s EDI Committee, AIA Philadelphia’s Philadelphia Emerging Architects (PEA), and AIA Pennsylvania’s Emerging Professionals Committee (EPiC), pushing to provide more opportunities in mentorship and growth throughout the design community.
Danielle Fleischmann, AIA, WELL AP
Director of Strategic Engagement
Danielle Fleischmann studied architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a concentration in Environmental Engineering in her home state of New York. As an Architect at DIGSAU, she applies her interest in sustainability, zero-waste practices, adaptive reuse, and environmental design to a range of projects for academic institutions. Danielle is a Director-at-Large for the AIA Philadelphia chapter and co-chairs the Committee on the Environment’s Policy and Advocacy subcommittee. In her free time, Danielle maintains an urban garden in her Philly yard and enjoys playing the piano.
Jesse Mainwaring, AIA
Director of Technology
Jesse Mainwaring is a Senior Associate at DIGSAU. He has practiced architecture for more than fourteen years leading projects with art and culture, higher education, and urban development clients. A Philadelphia native and erstwhile furniture maker, Jesse studied anthropology before earning a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where he researched envelope performance at the school’s Center for Sustainable Development. Jesse brings his passion for craft, culture and sustainability to his work with a balanced focus on materiality, detail and human experience. Jesse is a current member of the AIA Philadelphia Technology + Innovation Committee and has taught architecture at Temple and Drexel Universities where he is a frequent guest critic.
Andrew Ferrarelli, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
At Large Director
Andrew currently serves as the Studio Director and Senior Associate at SITIO architecture and urbanism. He has 16 years of experience in the cultural, institutional, and mixed-use projects for both local and national organizations including CHOP, Free Library of Philadelphia, Case Western Reserve University, The Shipley School, and AKA. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech which provided a strong foundation rotted in process and design exploration to shape space.Andrew extends this passion through volunteer work designing and building several Little Free Libraries, most recently collaborating with the Buffalo Architecture Foundation. In addition, he has served as a mentor to high school students through Compete 360, a program that teaches students problem solving skills and helps them identify and creatively solve issues in their local community. Additional volunteer work includes participating in AIA Group Mentoring program and the zoning committee of Washington Square West Civic Association. Check out Andrew's full bio on his website profile page here.
Nick Jabs, AIA, PLA, ASLA
At Large Director
Nick is a Senior Associate at PORT and a lecturer in design studios at the University of Pennsylvania. With a focus on public realm projects, Nick combines a Midwestern pragmatism with a passion for community driven design to transform often obscure, overlooked, or contested landscapes into vibrant spaces for gathering and civic life. His experience as both a registered architect and landscape architect enable him to leverage the knowledge and skills of each discipline to benefit every project he manages. Check out Nick's full bio on his website profile page.
Cory Robbins
At Large Director
Cory Robbins has been in the construction industry for just under 10 years. In that time, he has tirelessly pouring himself into several volunteer organizations in the city of Philadelphia. As the President of CSI Philadelphia from 2018-2024, he has ushered the group through the pandemic and virtual events, and into innovative events and growth in membership. As the CoChair of the Building Enclosure Council, he has rejuvenated the group and brought it back from extinction after the pandemic made it close up shop. Cory puts his name behind his work and is always happy to work with others to accomplish goals of the greater good. On the personal side, he is a die hard Philadelphia sports fan, and enjoys golfing and playing basketball in his free time. His wife and two daughters are everything to him.
Erin Urffer, Assoc. AIA
At Large Director
Erin Urffer is a graduate of Jefferson University where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture with a minor in Sustainability. An Associate AIA member, she currently works on Multifamily and Mixed Use projects across the Mid Atlantic region as an Architectural Designer and BIM Content Manager. She has previously been involved with the Philadelphia Emerging Architects committee as a member of the board. In her free time she enjoys photography, cooking, and finding new favorite places in the city.
Tya Winn, NOMA, LEED Green Associate, SEED
Public Member
Tya Winn is the Director of Project Planning at Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia and Adjunct Professor at Temple University. She has served as the Public Member on the AIA Philadelphia Board of Directors since 2014, currently also as the Director of Equitable Development. Ms. Winn received her BARCH at Syracuse University and her MARCH at the University of Pennsylvania. Since then she has focused her career on real estate and community development; prioritizing affordable housing creation, economic development, creative place-making and urban revitalization. Since joining the AIA Board, she has been involved with various committees; PEA, WIA, AIA Housing Committee, and Architecture in Education. Tya served on the 2016 AIA Convention planning committee and chaired the Legacy Project. She also serves on the boards of Families Forward- a family shelter combating homelessness, PhilaNOMA- the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects, the Hip Hop Architecture Camp, and StreeBoxPHL. Read more of Tya's bio on her website profile page here.
Eleanor Sharpe
Public Member
Eleanor Sharpe is an renowned professional in the field of urban planning who cares about cities, places, and people; while focused on bringing innovative approaches to urban development and community empowerment. With a distinguished career spanning over a decade with the City of Philadelphia, Sharpe's most recent position, prior to joining the Philadelphia City Council President's Technical Team was as the Interim Deputy Mayor/Director of the Department of Planning and Development. She currently brings her skills and experience to the members of City Council to help enact more informed policies on land use matters, as the Chief of Planning for City Council. Read more about Eleanor on her website profile here.
