Meet the
2026 Committee
Executive Committee
Chair
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AIA, WELL AP
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June is an interdisciplinary architect known for her problem-solving skills and dedication to design excellence. June obtained her Bachler of Science in Architecture from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Master of Architecture and certificate in Real Estate Design from the University of Pennsylvania. As an associate at STUDIOS architecture, June is passionate about designing for people and has delivered projects across sectors in commercial interiors, multifamily, government, masterplan and furniture design. June’s current body of work is centered on education and delivering welcoming and inspiring design.
June is passionate about empowering the design community and growing with peers. She is a founding member of the Asian American Designers Union | AIA DC, a graduate of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program Class of 2024, and is currently serving as CKLDP 2026 Co-chair.
Chair
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Dorris Hwang is a Senior Associate and Technical Enclosure Director at Wilmot Sanz, an architectural firm focused 100% on exceptional healthcare design. Drawing on her passion for improving people’s well-being within the built environment, she plays a pivotal role across multiple project teams in championing sustainable solutions while integrating aesthetic and technical considerations.
Outside of the workplace, Dorris is deeply committed to serving the community and empowering the next generation of designers. Through firm-wide mentorship initiatives and active involvement across healthcare and design-focused committees (Women In Healthcare, AIA DC Chapter’s Building Enclosure Council, Neighborhood Design Center), she strives to encourage social responsibility and environmental stewardship for a healthier future.tem description
Past Chair
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AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
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Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a licensed architect and Project Architect at Wiencek + Associates, where she specializes in affordable, multi-family, senior, and multi-generational housing. With experience spanning all phases of design from concept through construction her work centers on creating dignified, community-driven housing that responds to social equity, accessibility, and long-term impact.
Beyond practice, Kumi is deeply engaged in leadership and mentorship within the architectural profession. She is actively involved with AIA at the local and national levels, including the Young Architects Forum and the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program. A 2024 AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award recipient and 2025 DCCEAS Young Architect of the Year, Kumi is passionate about public interest design, community advocacy, and empowering the next generation of design leaders.
Past Chair
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James Jesmer is an Associate in AECOM’s Washington, D.C. office (@aecom), where he focuses on projects for the U.S. government while also contributing to transportation, assisted living, and commercial development work. Outside the studio, he is active with the AIA|DC Design Excellence Committee and mentors local architecture students. Over several years, James developed the graphic identity and provided technical coordination for a filmed lecture series and exhibition highlighting the work of South American women architects, which was recently featured at the Biennale Architettura 2025 in Venice, Italy. A proud CKLDP alum, James began as a Scholar in 2023, served as Sponsorship Advisor in 2024, and is excited to continue his journey with the program one more year. Outside of work, James is usually planning his next trip or finding a new favorite coffee spot.
Communications
Advisory Board
Graphics
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AIA, LEED BD+C, PMP
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Emily Ruegger, AIA, PMP, LEED BD+C, is an Architect and Design Manager at the Smithsonian Institution as well as an Army Engineer Officer in the National Guard. She has a Masters of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College and a BFA in Architecture from Cornell University. With 15 years of professional experience, Emily has worked on residential, equestrian, institutional and government portfolios, as well as regional and master planning, and historic preservation. Emily enjoys her current work in the public-facing Smithsonian Institution and using design to increase people's curiosity and love of learning.
Outside of her professional life, Emily lives in Virginia with her husband and their two rascally young daughters, whom they frequently take on visits to DC's many amazing public spaces.
Emily participated as a scholar of the 2025 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, and is excited to serve as the Graphics Advisor for 2026.
Sponsorships
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WELL AP, LEED Green Associate, EDGE
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Rebecca Ambouroue, Assoc. AIA, Associate NOMA, WELL AP, LEED Green Associate, Edge Expert is a Technical Designer and Associate at Gensler DC, specializing in both architecture and interiors. After earning her Associate degree at Montgomery College, and her Bachelor degree at Morgan State University, she went on to complete her Master’s in Architecture at The Catholic University of America.
With experience across a broad range of sectors, including professional services, consumer goods, government, and residential projects, Rebecca brings a diverse skill set to her practice. She is a recognized leader in the field, having been selected for the METROPOLIS Arch30 Cohort, which highlights the next generation of influential architects. She is also a member of the 2025 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) cohort and will join the CKLDP Advisory Committee.
In addition to her project work, Rebecca is deeply committed to mentoring emerging architects and designers. Since 2020, she has contributed to Experiences in Architecture at The Catholic University of America, first as an instructor and later as co-director, a position she has held since 2021. She has served as the DC NOMA Project Pipeline Lead since 2023 as well, where she spearheaded the chapter's
inaugural Project Pipeline. Her involvement with DC NOMA continues as she will be the Vice-President as well as the Project Pipeline chair in 2026.
Website
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AIA, LEED Green Associate
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Abigail (Abby) Saunders is a Project Architect at Quinn Evans. Abby’s passion for preservation shapes her role as an architect. She has experience working with the National Park Service and the Architect of the Capitol across multiple sites and has worked on exterior restoration projects for historic structures from inception to construction administration. She’s completed multiple building surveys and conditions assessments, using thorough observation and research to understand existing conditions and advance documentation that supports the goals of the client. As a member of AIA DC’s Historic Resources Committee and APT DC, Abby is committed to promoting the rehabilitation of existing structures and being a steward of the built environment.
Abby is a 2025 scholar of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program and currently serves on the advisory committee for the class of 2026. Abby’s commitment to preservation is matched by her dedication to mentorship and being a resource to future architects. As an emerging professional, she values collaboration, working with a team from diverse backgrounds and skills and learning from her peers to develop creative solutions that meet or exceed project goals.
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AIA, LEED Green Associate
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Gozde Yildirim, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA, is a project architect at HDR with extensive experience transforming healthcare environments. After earning her bachelor's degree from Beykent University in Istanbul, she received a scholarship to Miami University, Ohio, and completed her master's in architecture in 2015.
While at HOK, Gozde played a key role in the successful delivery of major healthcare projects, including the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center and NIH's Surgery, Radiology, and Laboratory Medicine Building. Her expertise is demonstrated through publications in the AIA Young Architects Forum and the Leaflet, Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with the AIA DC Emerging Architects Award and the Women in Healthcare Rising Star Award.
As an immigrant architect committed to equity, Gozde co-authored "Prospering in the U.S.: A Handbook for Immigrant Architects" to support non-native architects navigating their careers. She advances the profession through active leadership, having served as Volunteer Chair for Women in Healthcare's D.C. Chapter Board and currently serving as Co-Chair of the Association of Medical Facility Professionals' D.C. Chapter Emerging Professionals Committee.
Through her design and advocacy, Gozde continues to shape a more inclusive profession while creating healing environments that serve diverse communities.