AIA|WA Board of Directors

Kyle Leeper, AIA

Kyle Lepper is the co-founder of WL Architects in Richland, WA. In his 12 years of experience, he has worked with both public and private clients to oversee the design and construction of institutional, civic, industrial, commercial, multifamily residential, and retail projects across the country. Kyle has served as the design lead, project manager, and project architect for a wide range of projects across multiple building sectors that range in scale, budget, and program.

Kyle developed his passion for building design and construction at the University of Idaho, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture degree. Kyle currently holds a board position at AIA Central Washington. He frequently volunteers at the Pet Overpopulation of Tri-Cities, where he donated his services to design their spay and neuter clinic that was constructed in 2021. In his free time, Kyle and his wife Jessica love to play golf and spend time with their two dogs, Ernie and Palmer.

Clarissa Easton, AIA

Clarissa Easton AIA has practiced architecture in the public sector in Washington, Texas, and Missouri; she is currently Legislative Campus Modernization Project Director for the State of Washington Department of Enterprise Services. She has served as President of Central Missouri AIA and on the Board of Directors of AIA Dallas. In every setting, she has been a strong advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in architectural education and the profession. She considers servant leadership in support of AIA Washington Council from the Southwest Component a privilege and pleasure.

Dave Buescher, AIA

Dave Buescher AIA is the Chief Operating Officer at Fusion Architecture in Spokane. He holds degrees in both Architecture and Environmental Design from the University of Colorado.

His broad base of architectural experience ranges between commercial, higher education, residential, and civic projects. He has demonstrated continued and significant volunteer experience in the architectural field both locally and statewide. In Spokane, he has been heavily involved with the local AIA chapter and was president in 2018; he has also participated as a member of the Design Review Board and Arts Commission. Sustainable construction and environmental issues have long been a passion that have guided Dave’s involvement on the City of Spokane’s Climate Action Subcommittee. Consequently, Dave helped to formulate the city’s climate action plan and has been involved with the AIA|WA Climate Committee since 2019.

Jed Ballew, AIA

Jed Ballew is a partner at Zervas Architects in Bellingham. He found his love of Architecture at a young age through experiencing the rich Art Deco and mid-century buildings in his previous hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has over twenty years of experience working on various project types including historic preservation, healthcare, multi-family residential, tenant improvement and education.

Jed received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Oklahoma State University in 1999 and practiced architecture in Tulsa before relocating to Bellingham in 2017. While living and working in Tulsa, Jed actively supported and served on the board for the Eastern Oklahoma Chapter of the AIA as well as local non-profits and he was an active member of the community.  As a recent resident of the beautiful State of Washington, he is becoming more engaged in Bellingham, the state and surrounding communities through his work with Zervas, as well as through volunteer opportunities. Jed is married and has two teenage children. In his free time he enjoys being around his family, playing the drums, mountain biking, trail running and hiking.

Rushyan Yen, AIA

Rushyan Yen AIA has a background in studio art, urban ecology, and sustainable design. She received dual master’s degrees in architecture and environmental management from Yale University and received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to travel the world for a year researching a textile art form known as Batik. “My design work straddles architecture, urban design, art, and ecology to create healthy and vibrant spaces for people to live, work and play. I have spent much of my life creating bridges between societal, human, and environmental needs. While the result has often expressed itself in built form, I have come to see that it is through policy, advocacy, and cross-disciplinary collaboration that fundamental change is possible.

Brittany Porter, AIA

Brittany is a Seattle-based architect and designer of high-performance, sustainable workplace and multifamily housing projects. She is a Senior Associate at Weber Thompson and is currently the project architect for Northlake Commons, a mass timber, LEED Platnium targetting, biophilic workplace on the shores of Lake Union.

Passionate about low-carbon architecture that promotes health and wellness for all, Brittany is a Certified Passive House Consultant and LEED Green Associate.  She was the designer of Pax Futura, Seattle’s first passive house multifamily building, and the winner of the 2020 PHIUS Passive House Projects Multifamily Award. She served on the Passive House Northwest Board of Directors through 2021, was the AIA Young Architect Regional Director of the Northwest & Pacific Region through 2022, and acted as liaison to the national AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE). 

She earned her B.S. in Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology and her Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon. 

Away from her desk, Brittany enjoys a smattering of hobbies, including rock climbing, gardening, and a beginner’s attempt at wheel-thrown pottery.

Osama Quotah, AIA

A Partner at LMN Architects, Osama’s professional career has been grounded by a strong commitment to connect architecture to culture and place. His projects range from educational campuses, cultural buildings, and interpretive facilities, to complex civic infrastructure projects that stitch together neighborhoods and communities. Osama’s notable recent projects include the Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion, a new pavilion that provides an armature for immersive exhibits, hands-on exploration, and views of the surrounding landscape and urban waterfront, educational facilities for Seattle Academy, Lakeside School, and the University of Washington, Sound Transit Stations, and the land bridges and lids for the SR 520 West Approach project. He has held several positions on boards and commissions serving the community and the profession. Whether designing a building or leading a team Osama is committed to creating spaces for inclusion, sustainability, and community.

Jamie Sandberg, AIA

Jamie Sandberg is a Principal at Ferguson Architecture in Tacoma and holds a Master of Architecture degree from Washington State University. As a leader in the FA studio, she has built a strong reputation with her clients and coworkers for her attentiveness to their needs and goals, her thoughtful and enthusiastic communication style, and her ability to diffuse challenging situations that arise during a project. Jamie’s project typology experience is broad: affordable and market-rate multifamily housing, community and civic centers, hospitality, commercial offices – she’s done it all. She excels at cross-disciplinary collaboration and is responsible for ensuring her projects are organized, well documented, coordinated, and delivered on time.

 An active member of her professional and personal communities, she most recently served 5 years as an AIA SWW board member and leader of their Advocacy and Women In Design Committees. She also participates in the Tacoma-Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium. Jamie lives in Tacoma’s North End with her husband, two spirited daughters, and a couple of mischievous cats.

Chien-Yi Chu, AIA

Chien-Yi Chu, as a Design Professional with a background in landscape architecture, believes in a holistic approach to design, considering both building and landscape. I am passionate about creating meaningful connections between people and their surroundings through comprehensive spatial design. I am also interested in exploring the possibilities of architecture through high-quality crafts, in-depth research, and embracing cutting-edge technologies to boost creative energy and thinking. I hope to create innovative and inspiring spaces that make a positive impact on the world.

Carly Ennis, AIA

Karly recently earned her master’s degree in architecture from Washington State University and currently holds an Architectural Designer position at LPR Architecture in Richland, Washington. When she’s not enjoying her time at work, she loves spending her time her two dogs and exploring different recipes in the kitchen. 

Rio Namiki, AIA

Rio is a licensed architect in Washington State with over 10 years of experience across civic, housing, commercial, hospitality, educational, and non-profit sectors, with an emphasis on adaptive reuse and community-centered design. Rooted in sustainable design practices and a strong commitment to social equity, Rio’s approach is centered on creating spaces that foster community, prioritizing environmental responsibility and the unique needs of each project. A skilled collaborator, she holds LEED AP BD+C and Assoc. DBIA credentials, underscoring her expertise in sustainability and alternative project delivery methods.

As an optimistic leader and advocate, Rio is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the AEC industry. Currently serving as co-chair of AIA Seattle’s JEDI Steering Committee and Diversity Roundtable, she has championed equitable access to AIA conferences, led multi-chapter discussions on EDI initiatives, and promoted inclusive design. Within firm practice, Rio has implemented equity programs, advocated for BIPOC mentorship, advanced sustainable initiatives, and successfully established a Human Resources department. She also mentors the next generation of architects as a reviewer and volunteer at the University of Washington and through her volunteer work with Sawhorse Revolution.

Blanca Cázares Assoc. AIA

Blanca Cázares is a University of Idaho grad with a master’s degree in architecture. Based in Spokane, Washington, she works as a Project Manager at Integrus, where her dedication to design excellence and project coordination shines. Blanca is actively engaged in the architectural community, serving on the Spokane AIA Emerging Professionals Committee and contributing to the Inland Northwest DBIA chapter & NW region. Her involvement reflects her commitment to fostering growth and collaboration within the industry. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, painting, and baking. These creative outlets complement her architectural pursuits, allowing her to maintain a balanced and inspired lifestyle.