Board of Directors

As principal of Kevin deFreitas Architects, Kevin has had the good fortune of many exceptional collaborations resulting in a diverse portfolio of recognized projects, a public restroom on the sand in Ocean Beach for the City, a rammed earth chapel on the Rincon Indian Reservation, custom residences, urban infill rowhomes, and several commissions on the UCSD campus including Galbraith Hall, Warren College bridges, and Computer Science + Engineering renovations. He greatly enjoys live music, sharing a meal with just about anybody, laughing out loud, and coaching a variety of youth sports that one of his four children happen to be playing. In 2023 he served as the President of the AIA-San Diego Chapter.

Traci Knight is the creative force behind TK Designs, a boutique graphic design studio based in San Diego. Originally from Phoenix, she’s proudly called San Diego home for the past 16 years and brings more than 24 years of graphic design experience to everything she does. Traci currently partners with Urban Property Group, lending her expertise to guide their Marketing & Design efforts. A longtime champion of SDAF, Traci officially joined the Board in 2023 for a two-year term after many years of hands-on volunteering—creating graphics, enhancing guest experiences, and jumping in wherever help was needed. She now serves as Board Vice President, Chair of the Marketing, PR & Outreach, and Property Tours Committee. When she’s not running her business, Traci stays deeply connected to the local design community and puts her passion for giving back into action by volunteering with two additional non-profit organizations.

Nearly twenty years of experience in real estate development, management, and finance and a passion for the harmonious co-existence of man-made structures with nature and the community has brought Derek to the San Diego Architectural Foundation. As a successful project manager, operations executive, not-for-profit development volunteer, and IT professional, he excitedly contributes his time and energy towards promoting excellent design for the benefit of all San Diegans.

Derek is a team member of AOS Consulting, a technology / IT advisor and brokerage in Chula Vista, and resides in the historic Bankers Hill neighborhood of San Diego.

Tyler is a Senior Lighting Designer, Associate with Syska Hennessy Group and has been practicing lighting design for 15 years. Before transitioning to the world of architecture, he practiced theatrical and entertainment lighting design – traveling the US for various entertainment productions. He has worked on a diverse range of projects, including professional sport facilities, historic preservation, casino gaming, hospitality, commercial interiors, educational, retail, landscape, and building facades.

With earnest dedication, Tony Garcia integrates his talent for thoughtful and efficient designs into his everyday practice.

As a founding principal of Asquared Studios, Tony has demonstrated a keen commitment to the profession, the discipline of architecture, and the social role of architecture.

With extended interests in hospitality, winery, commercial, residential, and historic renovation projects, Tony also applies his skills to volunteering and civic endeavors that have manifested in varying forms.

Trained as an Architect at the Universidad Iberoamericana CDMX-Tijuana, graduating in 2016. She has collaborated with the architecture office “Amorphica Design Research Office” and with the Emerging + Sustainable Communities foundation. From 2017 to 2021 she was an assistant professor at the Universidad Iberoamericana CDMX-Tijuana. From 2015 to 2022 she collaborated with Se Hace Arquitectura, an office dedicated to architectural and urban design, where she continues as an external consultant. Currently, she is a Senior Associate at ULI San Diego – Tijuana, a Non-profit organization whose mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

Benjamin Schaefer’s journey into architecture began with a broom in hand, sweeping job sites for his father’s construction company. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for craftsmanship, revealing to him the transformative power of creativity in shaping environments.

After earning his Bachelor of Architecture degree with high honors from the University of California, Berkeley in 2004, Benjamin honed his skills at several prestigious architecture firms in the San Francisco Bay Area. During this time, he led the design of award-winning residential, multi-family, office, and municipal projects. Through these experiences, he discovered a joy in collaborating closely with homeowners, which inspired him to establish his own office.

Benjamin Schaefer is the founder of LittleBig Design, a full-service architecture studio in Carlsbad, CA focused on contemporary residential design.

Outside of his architectural pursuits, Benjamin enjoys paddleboarding, playing the drums, and, unsurprisingly, teaching his young children the art of making. He firmly believes that his engagement with the natural world and creative endeavors enriches his work, allowing him to approach projects with fresh perspectives and innovative design solutions.

Jessica Vences is the owner and principal of OnPoint Architecture, a San Diego-based full-service architecture firm. Jessica graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors of Science in Interior Design then eventually continued on her education journey at the NewSchool of Architecture + Design earning a Master of Architecture and a Master of Construction Management. While architecture is her passion, studying all three of these disciplines gives her a unique perspective into how they can successfully work together.

Although Jessica sometimes misses the seasons of her hometown in St. Louis, MO, she loves all that San Diego has to offer such as: the beaches for surfing or reading a good book; the close proximity to mountains for hiking or snowboarding; the salsa dance community; a variety of restaurants; unique opportunities for volunteering; and the ability to easily travel to Baja California, Mexico.

Francesco is a former scholar turned entrepreneur with a passion for connecting people through food experiences. With a strong foundation in urban studies and a PhD in Urbanism and Food Security, he transitioned from academia to the entrepreneurial dimension, bringing a unique perspective to the food industry with a combination of social aspects, storytelling, and creative dining solutions. He is the co-founder of Cucina Migrante, a unique culinary venture that celebrates the intersection of food, culture, and community. He is committed to creating meaningful culinary experiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for local agriculture, cultural diversity, and human connections. Francesco loves exploring farmers markets, playing padel, traveling, enjoying San Diego sunsets and – of course – cooking.  

Maria Caneja is a versatile designer specializing in architectural exterior and interior design and construction management. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Woodbury University School of Architecture and is currently pursuing a Dual Degree MBA/MSRE at the University of San Diego. She is a Co-Founder of Atelier Parti Architecture, a design firm based in San Diego specializing in residential and commercial projects as well as 3D printing architectural models for other architecture firms. Maria’s passion for innovative design and community-focused real estate development drives her commitment to creating impactful spaces. She actively volunteers with the San Diego Architectural Foundation and has mentored aspiring younger generations through programs like ACE Mentor. Dedicated to fostering collaboration and inclusivity in the industry, Maria strives to make a lasting contribution to the built environment.

Daniela Deutsch has been practicing and teaching Architecture for over 20 years and she holds a master’s degree in architectural engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany. She is currently the Dean of School of Architecture and Professor at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego. 

As a Professor at NewSchool, she has led the Integrated Design Studio for the past 15 years. She is also coordinating the Environmental Systems and Professional Practice Class Sequences in the Architecture Programs. Daniela highlights the importance of a collaborative and integrated approach to architecture. One key area that benefits from this approach is sustainable and energy-efficient design, which she is truly passionate about. She is currently Chair of San Diego Regional Leadership Advisory Board (RLAB), for USGBC California.

Her greatest hope for students is that they will become confident designers and big thinkers who work optimistically, provocatively, and creatively. As part of the San Diego Architectural Foundation, she hopes to support in broadening its community impact, as well as expanding its reach and cultivating the next generation of design leaders.

Rosina is a Project Architect at Miller Hull. She is a creative architecture designer who enjoys discovering new design approaches to create architectural solutions that inspire healthy/ positive experiences and enhance our everyday lives. She has served with OH! San Diego since 2017 at different capacities, stepping into the role of co-chair of the program this 2023. She is passionate to contribute to build strong communities that create unique settings to inspire important conversations about our built environment.

Wayne attended the University of Minnesota School of Architecture, where he graduated with degrees in both Architecture and Environmental Design. He is a Principal at domusstudio architecture, actively involved in their Civic, Education and Religious focused projects. With a broad range of architectural experience over his career, he enjoys integrating his management skills as they apply to the firm’s multi-disciplined project teams; to facilitate the design process and engage client interaction at all phases. He has served as a Master Commissioner with the California Architect’s Board, active in the development of the Supplemental Exam and was recently named to the Public Arts Committee of San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture. Wayne is a member of the American Institute of Architects.

Zeek earned his first degree in Cultural Anthropology in 2004 from San Diego State University (SDSU) with honors in Phi Eta Sigma, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the Dean’s List. After several years in the Biotechnology industry, he undertook a 5-year career transition which culminated in earning his master’s degree in landscape architecture and Urbanism from the University of Southern California (USC), graduating with honors in Tau Sigma Delta for his academic achievements.

Prior to attending USC, he studied Residential Landscape Design at Cuyamaca College, while also working for the Cuyamaca College Plant Nursery, Armstrong Garden Centers, and the City of San Diego’s Water Conservation Program, where he co-managed residential landscape rebates for the 2012 fiscal year. Zeek has been active in various club organizations. While at Cuyamaca College he served first as the Media Officer, then as the Secretary of the ASLA Student Chapter. Concurrently, he was also active in the Cuyamaca College Botanical Society where he served first as an Assistant to the Board, then as its 36th President. While attending USC’s School of Architecture, Zeek served as the ASLA Student Chapter President for an academic year.

While in graduate school between 2013-2016, he completed over a dozen small to medium scale residential landscape designs for clients in Southern California through his side project, Integrifolia Landscape Design before returning to San Deigo to pursue his professional career.

Zeek joined McCullough Landscape Architecture in Jan. 2020 as an Associate and assumed the role of Studio Team Leader in 2022. Zeek has guided the development and refinement of McCullough’s office standards and approach to documentation, as well as personally on-boarded and trained 10 of the 12 members of the designer team. Zeek also works closely with the Principal and CEO on ensuring project leads and management are pursued with professionalism and integrity as the firm pursues its strategic goals and stated mission.

Zeek Magallanes brings a reliable history of leadership and accountability to the projects he works on and is passionate about the intersection of urbanism, social and environmental resiliency, and the business of design.

Jim Mumford, founder and President of Good Earth Plant Company, has spent over four decades transforming spaces and enriching people’s lives with plants. A pioneer in biophilic design, Jim is renowned for his expertise in creating stunning living walls, green roofs, potted plantscapes and moss wall installations that seamlessly blend nature with architecture.

A recipient of numerous industry accolades, Jim was honored by the Downtown Partnership “Building the Future” awards, named California’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and recently inducted into the Plantscape Hall of Fame. Recognized as one of San Diego’s “Most Influential Business People” by the San Diego Business Journal, Jim’s work continues to inspire innovation, success and creativity in “building integrated vegetation”.

Gita Murthy is the CEO and founder of RORE; a woman-owned, General Contractor headquartered in San Diego. Established 22 years ago, RORE provides construction services to federal agencies across the US and in the Far East. Dr. Murthy holds corporate responsibilities, including leadership, business strategic planning, finance, operations, and client management. She employs professionals from diverse categories, and mentors young professionals to develop professionally into strong and confident contributors to society.

Dr. Murthy has served on multiple Boards, including Presiding over the Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter; Board member of Associated Builders and Contractors, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Vistage, Society of American Military Engineers, San Diego Fleet Science Center, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She graduated from the University of California at San Diego, and with a doctorate degree from the University of California at Berkeley. When she’s not working at RORE or volunteering for organizations, Dr. Murthy enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, and being with family and friends.

Dilini is a Project Manager at Dahlin Group, specializing in the education sector. Dilini earned an associate’s degree in interior design before pursuing bachelor’s degrees in business, English and Corporate Communication at the University of Baltimore. She then earned a master’s in architecture degree from The NewSchool of Architecture & Design in San Diego.

Her diverse background allows her the ability to balance creativity with practical functionality, delivering spaces that are both beautiful and purposeful. Known for her strong leadership and communication, she cultivates collaboration, empowerment, integrity and organization to ensure successful and cohesive project outcomes. Dilini brings a thoughtful, well-rounded perspective to every design challenge as well as to the SDAF.

Outside of architecture, Dilini takes advantage of San Diego’s amazing climate, often paddle boarding and hiking. She also loves to travel, finding inspiration in the diverse cultures, foods, music and art that she encounters along the way.

Ms. Sanchez is the founder and current President of TREM Lighting, a decorative custom lighting manufacturing company based in Tijuana, Mexico for over 20 years. The business caters to interior designers, architects, contractors, developers, procurement companies, hotels, casinos, and restaurants. Olga has a master’s degree in international business from the London South Bank University. She is currently the Co-Chair of the SDAF 2024 World Design Capital Committee.

A licensed architect with over twenty years experience in architectural, engineering, and design disciplines for projects ranging from single-family residential to commercial developments. Successfully developed relationships with professionals on a variety of project types including but not limited to planning, permitting, procurement, construction administration, quality control, sales and marketing, community development and public relations.

Kramer is a technologist and entrepreneur passionate about fostering economic opportunity and organizational design. He co-founded Certified EO, the national certification program for employee-owned businesses, to increase public awareness of employee ownership’s transformative benefits.

With expertise spanning technology, operations, and finance, Kramer brings a unique analytical perspective alongside hands-on operational experience. He is eager to contribute this cross-disciplinary lens to advance SDAF’s mission of promoting outstanding architecture and design throughout San Diego.

Outside of work, Kramer enjoys building LED art installations in his garage, camping, and playing beach volleyball.

Ryan Slaybaugh has been a structural consultant with DCI Engineers in San Diego since 2004. Ryan’s leadership within the firm motivates DCI’s technical staff to work at the highest design standards and current building codes. His dedication to the projects he works on is demonstrated through his availability to the design team and project team, as a whole; and with attention to design flexibility, Ryan provides structural solutions that benefit construction budget and scheduling. At SDAF, he is eager to offer a perspective from a structural consultant and looks forward to giving back to the architectural community. Additionally, Ryan is an avid (amateur) photographer (www.rslaybaugh.smugmug.com/) – with special interest in buildings and structures and photographs many local projects as well as personal interests.

Beri Varol is the principal of BV Architecture + Development, a boutique firm specializing in residential projects of all sizes. Beri believes that good architecture is informed by the past, responsive to the present, and aware of the future. His work seeks to enrich the urban environment and create spaces that harmonize with their surroundings.

Since the founding of BVA+D in 2009, Beri has collaborated on a wide range of work, from small scale projects (such as ADUs and single-family remodels) to larger multifamily projects (16 units to 98 units) and commercial tenant improvement projects. His development work includes a 5-unit mixed-use project in South Park (where his office is located), and a 24-unit apartment building in North Park.

Outside of work, Beri enjoys traveling, hiking, sailing, and spending time with his wife, two teenage daughters, and their three pets.

Lauren Cook is an Association Executive with over 28+ years’ experience in the San Diego non-profit community. She serves as SDAF’s Executive Director and is passionate about increasing awareness and diversity, intersectionality, and inclusion through open dialogues to inspire the next generation of change agents. Or at the very least—admirers of design.
Lauren believes SDAF is really about inclusivity. I believe our events reflect all nuances of design and give everyone a part of its creation. Architects visualize a structure and then builders bring it to life. Landscape architects harmonize it with the environment and interior designers/artists continue the flow with paint, textiles, art, lighting, sound and much more. We are a community organization because that is what design is. Communal creation.