David Shafer AIA, LEED AP
Partner, Oz Architecture
David is a partner at OZ Architecture, a 150-person firm based in Denver, Colorado, that serves projects and clients around the globe. OZ’s work spans multiple practice areas, ranging from Civic to Resort and Hospitality. David leads the Higher Education practice area. He has been with OZ for over 30 years. He has had the opportunity to work on various project types during that time though the last 15 years of his career have been focused exclusively on design for higher education. Dave has found that this work is his passion and where he can make the most significant difference.
His work strives to balance social, environmental, and economic sustainability while creating beautiful, creative spaces that are lasting assets to their campus. He recognizes that college and university students come from various backgrounds, and for some, especially first-generation college students, the higher education experience can be intimidating. Because of this, he strives to create spaces that are welcoming and inclusive for all. He also prioritizes sustainable design in his work and is helping to lead OZ in the 2030 Commitment.
As David leads his projects, he facilitates a truly integrated design process by enabling an open exchange among designers, engineers, consultants, and clients. He creates a fully collaborative environment that fosters open communication, a true team focus, and the discovery of project synergies that encourage sustainable design principles to flourish.
Pauline Souza FAIA, LEED Fellow
Director of Sustainability, WRNS
With 38 years of experience, Pauline has dedicated her career to the building and advocacy of high-quality, sustainable environments that serve the education and civic sectors.
Recent work includes: Sonoma Academy Guild and Commons, a LEED Platinum, AIA COTE-recognized project that was awarded the first LBC Petal and Net Zero Carbon Certifications in the U.S.; Microsoft Silicon Valley campus, another LEED Platinum and AIA COTE project; and serving as sustainability advisor for Hawaii’s Department of Education on their Cooling Classrooms Initiative, a districtwide heat abatement program focused on transitioning all campuses to net zero while creating healthy, culturally-rich schools.
As WRNS Studio’s Director of Sustainability, she is responsible for implementing sustainable design principles into all studio projects and business operations. She has served as the Green Schools Advocate for the USGBC Green Schools Campaign since 2007, is a founder of the Bay Area Leaders in Sustainable Architecture and is an active leader in the AIA Climate Action Communication Group — organizations committed to sharing experiences and strategies in the hopes of making collective change.
Dusty Eaton AIA, LEED AP
CEO, A & E Design
As the CEO of one of the region’s largest and longest-standing design firms, Dusty Eaton is no stranger to civic design. He joined A&E Design after graduating from Montana State University in 2006 and became the firm’s youngest partner in 2012. With a passion for innovation, Eaton imagined the future of design as a collective of creatives from diverse disciplines. His firm continues to disrupt convention with architects, interior designers, historic preservation experts, brand developers, and construction administrators working together. United for one purpose, Eaton’s team pushes the design envelope to create impactful experiences across the Northwest. They serve clients across myriad market sectors, including education, healthcare, commercial, residential, and more.
Eaton sees civic design – and all architecture – in terms of people. He identifies how to shape a building to enhance the lives of its occupants and solve problems for communities. This zeal for civic improvements has led to award-winning design of libraries, schools, airports, government buildings, and other public spaces. His professional commitments transcend to his personal life, in which he serves on multiple boards and a family run nonprofit, United Luv. Eaton currently lives in Billings, Montana, with his wife, Kara, and their three children.