Advisory Board

Priya Baht

Student Subcommmitte 

Junior Architect, Valerio Dewalt Train

Priya Bhat is an architect at VDT, where her work is rooted in a passion for inclusive, expressive, and thoughtful architecture. From small details to big-picture moments, she brings creativity and technical strength to every project. Her approach is influenced by her love of art, fashion, and color, and she’s always looking for ways to bring vibrancy, clarity, and meaning into the spaces she helps create. Priya graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2019 with a degree in architecture and a minor in sustainable design. Collaboration is central to her process and she values the relationships built throughout design and believes that the best solutions come from listening closely to clients, communities, and team members. As the head of VDT’s internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE+I) committee, Priya brings a strong commitment to equity and cultural responsiveness into both her leadership and design work. Whether engaging with community voices or navigating technical challenges, she is passionate about architecture that reflects the people it serves.

 

Patricia Heye, AIA, LEED AP BD+ C

Student Subcommmitte 

Construction Project Manager, Lumen Field

Patricia Heye, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a licensed architect and construction project manager currently overseeing projects at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA. A proud Cal Poly Architecture alumna (’15), she later earned a Master of Arts in Design from Cornell University, focusing on sustainable design and completing a thesis on biophilic design in work-from-home environments. Patricia has worked as an architect and sustainability specialist at EHDD in Seattle and HGA in San Francisco. In addition to being passionate about responsible design, decarbonizing the built environment, and effective project management, she advocates for work-life balance in the profession, believing that architects don’t need to overwork to create meaningful, high-quality designs.

 

Vivian Lee, FAIA

Student Subcommmitte 

Design Director, Gensler

From her early life in Taiwan and Paraguay to her professional practice in Italy, China, and the U.S., Vivian’s work is influenced by a boundless collection of cultures, histories, and consciousness. Enriched by her experience of living and practicing in different countries, her architecture is efficient and poetic, technologically advanced, environmentally conscious, and engagingly humanistic. With an extensive background leading award-winning projects of all types and scales, Vivian Lee brings over 30 years of passion for the design industry to Gensler, NY. Driven by a belief that good design can and should inspire, she encourages the team to balance creative vision with practical solutions to deliver value to the client and end user. Her design contribution to the built environment and leadership within the architecture profession led to Vivian’s elevation to the distinguished American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2020. She served on the AIA New York Board of Directors and is committed to mentoring the next generation of designers. The AIA has recognized her for her extraordinary dedication to promoting, advancing, and elevating the role of women in architecture as the co-chair of the Women in Architecture Committee.

 

Mark Mulhair

Student Subcommmitte 

Associate principal, safdie rabines architects

Irish-born, Mark immigrated to Virginia with his family at the age of seven. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving six years and traveling across five continents. These global experiences went on to deeply influence his perspective on design, fostering a belief that there is much to be gained from experiencing the world’s diverse approaches to architecture. At Cal Poly, Mark enrolled in the Switzerland Studio and the LA Metro Program, further expanding on that exposure. Since graduating in 2014, he has been with Safdie Rabines Architects in San Diego, going from Designer to Associate Principal. His work primarily focuses on higher education campus and multifamily housing, overseeing projects from programming and design, through construction and occupancy. Making full use of the Southern California climate, his favorite approach to design is to blur the lines between interior and exterior spaces, bringing both nature in and people out. He also founded and spearheads the office ‘pINput’ series, a weekly Friday design discussion, knowledge-sharing session, and guest speaker forum aimed at advancing a studio-wide creative dialogue. He looks forward to reconnecting with the main campus, faculty, and emerging designers.

 

Mikaela Pearson

Student Subcommmitte 

co-founder, palo

Mikaela integrates architecture and landscape, enhancing the connection between site and structure. With a focus on urban projects, she specializes in creating spaces that improve both aesthetics and livability. Mikaela’s approach brings a thoughtful, holistic perspective to development, enriching the experience of space while adding long-term value. She is dedicated to building rich ecologies that support habitat and life indoors and
out. Mikaela holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (2009) and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard University (2014). She co-founded PALO in 2017 to design homes that work with the existing city—bringing smart, affordable density to where it’s needed most.

 

Clayton Taylor

Student Subcommmitte 

co-founder/partner, west of west

Clayton Taylor is an architect and founding partner of West of West, known for balancing architectural innovation with contextual sensitivity. His work spans diverse scales and typologies, with a focus on material craft and new housing models that respond to evolving patterns of living. Clayton
fosters a collaborative design culture, bringing together clients, consultants, and stakeholders to shape solutions that are informed, inclusive, and
community-driven. He sees the architect not only as a designer but also as a community builder—connecting people through the built environment and ensuring the voices of those most affected are heard and valued. Clayton holds a Master of Architecture from UCLA (2013) and a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (2009). He is NCARB-certified, licensed in California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Ohio, and Idaho, and a member of the AIA and IIDA. He also leads annual design studios at the University of Oregon, drawing on his ongoing design research.

 

Ryan Fetters, AIA DBIA, LEED AP

Faculty Subcommmitte 

Principal, gensler

Ryan Fetters is an Architect and Principal at Gensler San Francisco. An Aviation Leader with a background in retail design, Ryan has designed some of Gensler’s most notable experience-driven projects such as the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at
SFO. He strives to bridge the gap between culture and technology to ultimately create community-centered spaces that incorporate the best ideas across project types. Balancing creative aspirations with practical constraints and ensuring clear communication across all stakeholders, Ryan believes that great projects cultivate an environment where innovation thrives, and every voice is heard. Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (2006). He is a licensed Architect in California, active member of AIA, a certified DBIA practitioner, and a legacy LEED AP.

 

Rick Gunter, AIA NCARB, LEED AP

Faculty Subcommmitte 

Founder & CEO, G3 Group Advisors

Rick has been practicing architecture for more than 30 years and led studios or offices for large international firms for more than 20. He is a skilled architect with a passion for leading large complex projects such as SoFi Stadium / Hollywood Park, Edition West Hollywood Hotel & Residences, and LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse (the first California terminal built off -site and transported into place). Rick partnered with the world’s best designers to bring their vision into reality with a shared commitment to design fi delity and attention to detail. He is a proven business leader and entrepreneur who started offi ces in new markets and turned around studios in mature offices. Rick founded G3Group in 2024 to provide expert guidance so owners can build better. Cal Poly’s multi-disciplinary Learn by Doing has been the foundation of Rick’s career. So too, Cal Poly’s Student Life & Activities taught him the power of giving back. Rick is a lector and MC at St Bede Catholic Church; served local government for 12 years as a planning commissioner, elected councilmember, and mayor of La Canada Flintridge; served as member of the CAED Dean’s Leadership Council for
six years; is on the steering committee of the ULI Los Angeles Innovation Council; and chair of the Cal Poly Architecture Advisory Committee. Rick’s wife Denise is a 1991 Cal Poly Social Science grad and their son Andrew is 2020 Cal Poly Business grad (their daughter Hannah went to the other great central coast school UCSB).

 

Frank Mahan

Faculty Subcommmitte 

Principal, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Frank Mahan approaches his work with the conviction that sustainable cities must blend new construction with stewardship of existing building stock. He is adept at weaving together a project’s aspirations with the history of its site, while balancing local economic and regulatory requirements, to cerate buildings that support healthy and vibrant cities. A recognized leader in preservation and adaptive reuse, Frank sees our existing buildings as key components of a global eff ort to combat climate change. Through adaptive reuse, he believes that architects can save embodied carbon while reviving our most cherished cultural landmarks. Frank begins these projects withdeep research in order to understand the history of a building before shaping its next life -- a method that he has applied in the redevelopment of icons like the
Waldorf Astoria and the James A. Farley Post Office. He is also pioneering an emerging type of work -- the rejuvenation of aging midcentury modern buildings. With a portfolio that includes some of SOM’s own legacy projects, such as Lever House and 9 West 57th Street, this work is enhancing the vitality and sustainability of midcentury landmarks. In 2025, Frank was appointed to serve on the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, the largest and most sophisticated municipal preservation agency in the United States. Frank has been recognized with the AIA Young Architects Award and has been named to Building Design+Construction’s 40 under 40 list.

 

Brent McClure

Faculty Subcommmitte 

Partner, CAW Architects

Brent is a partner at CAW Architects, has led CAW’s education studio for nearly 20 years, where he has dedicated his talents to shaping educational environments for future generations. He believes that vibrant and nurturing student experiences
are created through an architecture centered on community, and that all children across the socio-economic spectrum deserve humane educational spaces where they can thrive. Through design, he focuses on fl exible and adaptable educational
spaces, shaped by light and the environment, offering sustainable solutions to all projects. Through his leadership in education and as a Cal Poly Alumni, he is firmly committed to building the next generation of architects, both within CAW and beyond.

 

Ben Mickus, AIA, LEED AP

Faculty Subcommmitte 

Partner, WRNS Studio

Ben Mickus is an award-winning architect and product designer, working concurrently in both disciplines. He has over 22 years of experience in cultural, educational and mixed-use architecture with Diller Scofi dio + Renfro, SOM and WRNS Studio, where he is currently a partner. He was lead designer on The Juilliard School & Alice Tully Hall transformation at Lincoln Center in New York,
the College of Arts at Cal State University Monterey and the Elco Yards mixed-use neighborhood in Redwood City. His furniture designs are included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, and his lighting designs have been installed around the world. Ben holds a Master of Architecture from UCLA and a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly. Ben currently lives in Alameda and is a father of two.

 

Ashley Richardson

Faculty Subcommmitte 

Partner, Ehrlich yanai rhee chaney architects

Ashley Richardson, AIA, LEED AP is a Partner at Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney (EYRC) Architects in Los Angeles, where she thrives on leading large, complex projects from vision to reality. With a passion for building collaborative and innovative
teams, she has helped shape transformative educational environments—most notably two Living & Learning Neighborhoods at UC San Diego. Her portfolio also includes the Pendry Hotel + Residences in West Hollywood and the modernization of John Burroughs Middle School in Los Angeles. In addition to her project leadership, Ashley oversees firmwide operations at EYRC, bringing both strategic clarity and creative energy to the practice. A proud graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (B.Arch ’04), Ashley credits the “learn by doing” ethos as foundational to her career. She is a licensed Architect in California, holds a Project Management Certificate from UCLA, and is a legacy LEED Accredited Professional. Beyond practice, Ashley contributes to the profession through service and leadership: she is a past Chair of both the AIA Los Angeles Design Awards and Women in Architecture committees, and she is the incoming Vice President/2027 President-Elect of Architecture for Communities Los Angeles.

 

Jana S B Itzen, AIA

Alumni Subcommmitte 

Founding Partner, itzen architects inc.

ITZEN is led and directed by husband and wife dynamic design duo, Jana and William Itzen. A
licensed California Architect, Jana earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo, with an all too brief study abroad year in Brisbane, Australia. As an architect, Ms. Itzen has worked on a wide range of projects from public libraries to private schools, and from salons to private residences. Under her direction, ITZEN has developed a contextual architectural language that responds to each client in a unique way. In addition to her endeavors with ITZEN, Jana has been an active member of the American Institute of Architects, from the beginning stages of her career. She has served the architectural community at the local, state and national level. Currently she serves as a newly elected California Architectural Foundation (CAF) Regent. Most recently, she served as the California Representative to the National AIA Strategic Council from 2018-2020. Prior to her national service, she was the 2017 President of AIA California. Jana is the mother of two spirited teenage boys, and always enjoys a new travel adventure. Her love and appreciation for the built environment stems from many travels throughout the United States as a young child, this love for adventure and exploration, she hopes to pass along to her own children.

 

Giuliana Benedicty

Alumni Subcommmitte 

Project executive, mega contracting group

Giulana Benedicty is a licensed architect who now works as a project executive in construction management for Mega Contracting Group in NYC. She is interested in the detailing and execution of a project and the effective design of public work so that the space/building is useful to the users, amplifies their experience, while being feasible to build and maintain. She approaches projects and learns from many perspectives - user, architect, builder, financier, community. Professionally her current goal is to promote more women on work crews and foster the energy of the new generation and develop their skills. Giuliana enjoys eating and cooking, running and exploring, watching sports and reading graphic novels and manga, drooling over beautiful details and materials.