2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The AIA Triangle Board of Directors governs the overall execution of the organization’s mission. Principally, the Board manages organizational finances and sets long-term priorities for programs. Overall, the members of the Board contribute professional, management, educational, and financial skills needed to ensure long-term organizational stability and ensure year-to-year excellence for its membership.
Teri Canada, FAIA, LEED AP, NOMA
PRESIDENT
Teri is a fervent advocate for exceptional architectural design within each community she has served. For over 25 years, she has thoughtfully and efficiently guided award-winning projects from pre-design through construction administration. As a Project Manager, she carefully guides key stakeholders through the development of esteemed projects for their communities by crafting a unique design process for each of her clients. For Teri, coupling her ability to communicate design ideas with meaningful community engagement is essential to her role in the design process.
Teri’s talent for leading the architectural design process has been recognized and celebrated throughout her career. After graduating from North Carolina State University. She became one of the first five African American women to become a Registered Architect in the state of North Carolina. In 2007, Teri joined the Freelon Group and rapidly advanced to Senior Associate as a result of her exceptional client management skills. After serving as Lead Project Manager on award-winning projects like the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Emancipation Park, she was selected to participate in Perkins+Will’s Leadership Institute and appointed to the firm’s Diversity Council.
As an insightful mentor to young architects, Teri shared her personal and professional experiences as a minority architect during the 2015 National Organization of Minority Architects conference as a seminar panelist. She has also shown her commitment to her community as a Preservation Durham Executive Board Member, a Durham Rotary Club Member, a Minister for Stephen Ministries, and a volunteer with Big Brother/Big Sister of Durham. In addition, Teri a member of the AIA Triangle Board of Directors, a member of the Board of Advisors of the United Minority Contractors Association of North Carolina a s well a s a member of the Durham Arts, Council’s SmART Resource Board, 2021 AND 2022 Jurist for the AIA ALA Library Building Awards, and 2021 for the AIA Atlanta Residential Design Awards. Teri was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2024.
ZACH SUNDERLAND, AIA, NCGC
PRESIDENT ELECT
Zach is the Principal Architect and General Contractor at Haven Ventures, a certified BCorp social enterprise based in Durham, NC. His career is focused on community-based work, in particular affordable housing and projects which meet the needs of vulnerable citizens. Zach is passionate about working alongside communities to create exceptional places to live, work, and play where each individual can flourish.
LAURENT DE COMARMOND, AIA
SECRETARY
Laurent is a principal and studio director at JDavis in Raleigh. has been practicing for over 25 years, with a focus on urban infill and large mixed-use projects. He started his career in Washington, DC, before relocating to Raleigh in 2004. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech.
He has been engaged in the community and has served on numerous boards and commissions for the City of Raleigh, including the Appearance Commission, and the Public Art and Design Board.
Most of his projects have been in the Triangle market, where he works with a diverse client base, to shepherd projects, from the rezoning phase through construction and delivery.
SARAH CORBITT, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, GCP
TREASURER
Sarah Corbitt is an Architect and Laboratory Planner at Hanbury. Sarah designs with sustainability in mind, seeking impactful, cost-effective, and elegant solutions. She has more than 16 years of experience designing and managing science and technology projects. She has a Masters from NCSU, and a BA in American Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill. Sarah has served as LEED and Green Globes administrator on many projects and has contributed to Architecture 2030 reporting.
JOSHUA THOMASSON, AIA
PAST PRESIDENT
Joshua is an architect at KC Studio Architecture in Raleigh. His portfolio includes diverse public and private projects throughout North Carolina, and his designs are rooted in site development and building materiality. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Joshua is passionate about community outreach and committed to educating others about the role of architects in our community. He currently serves as chair of Triangle Barkitecture, a design competition for custom pet architecture to raise funds for local animals in need.
Michael Ambrose, AIA
DIRECTOR
Michael is an architect and capital project manager at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He
oversees a diverse portfolio of projects at UNC. Notable among them is the addition to the Kenan-Flagler
Business School, known as the new Steven D. Bell Hall, as well as the Porthole Alley Redevelopment
project on Franklin Street.
He earned a MArch in History, Theory and Criticism of Architecture and Urban Design from Syracuse
University and a BArch from Temple University. Michael has taught at several schools of architecture
across more than 22 years as an educator, including the University of Maryland, Syracuse University and
Drexel University. Michael is currently an Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Architecture at
the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
Michael serves on the AIA Triangle K-12 Educational Outreach Taskforce. He is a passionate advocate for
the profound impact architecture and design can have on individuals and communities. He strongly
believes in fostering a more diverse and inclusive architectural profession, recognizing the positive roles
architects can play in society.
Michael’s dedication extends to the broader architectural community, where he has frequently served
as a guest critic at esteemed schools of architecture, including MIT, Syracuse, Cornell, Pratt, SCAD, RISD,
and the Catholic University of America among others. His contributions through professional,
educational, and volunteer efforts reflect his commitment to excellence, diversity, and the
transformative power of architecture and design.
VIVIAN CHIANG, AIA
DIRECTOR
Vivian Chiang is an architect with 6 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from North Carolina State University and is actively involved in several AIA Triangle committees, where she was honored with the 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award. Vivian has also completed the Raleigh Chamber Emerging Leaders Program and volunteers with various local organizations.
Her commitment to both her profession and community drives her to inspire and support others while advancing her own leadership skills. Vivian is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals and fostering diversity within the field. Dedicated to creating innovative design solutions, she is constantly seeking to expand her skill set and make a meaningful impact in her projects and the broader architectural community.
Fredrick A. Davis, II, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP
DIRECTOR
Bio coming soon
JASON HITE, AIA
DIRECTOR
ZACH HOFFMAN, AIA
DIRECTOR
Zach Hoffman earned a B.S. in Building Science from Appalachian State University in 2011, and an M.Arch from NC State University in 2014. He practiced locally with Cannon Architects (2012-2015) and is currently an Architect and Principal at in situ studio (2015-).
Zach lives in East Raleigh with his wife Meredith.
LUANNA SAADE, ASSOC. AIA
DIRECTOR
Luanna is a biologist-turned-designer at Hanbury in Raleigh. She earned her B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology, contributing to vaccine research against Rotavirus, and later worked at Duke University, collaborating on studies related to COVID-19, flu, HIV, breast cancer, and more.
Through her research experience, Luanna identified significant design challenges in scientific spaces, such as poor circulation, inadequate lighting, and a lack of collaboration among researchers. This insight inspired her to pursue a Master of Architecture at North Carolina State University to bridge the gap between scientific needs and architectural design.
With her unique background, Luanna brings a fresh perspective to creating efficient, functional, and visually appealing laboratory spaces. She is passionate about designing environments that promote the physical and mental well-being of their users.
Originally from Brazil and fluent in three languages, Luanna excels in cross-cultural communication and looks forward to contributing to the AIA Triangle in a meaningful and collaborative way.
JAY SMITH, AIA, LEED-AP
DIRECTOR
Jay acts as Design Director and Principal for diverse corporate, commercial, and institutional building typologies. His leadership across all phases of complex, large-scale projects is enhanced by his strength in analysis and conceptual thinking. Jay is a respected collaborator and educator. His approach to design inspires and integrates the ideas of team members from all disciplines and levels of experience. Clients and collaborators value equally his attention to detail and informed understanding of the ‘big picture’ issues inherent in the process of design, documentation, and construction.
Prior to joining Duda|Paine Architects 18 years ago, Jay gained professional experience at Machado-Silvetti Associates in Boston and Wolf Associates in Malibu. He has taught as Professor of the Practice at the NC State’s College of Design, served as chair of the AIA Triangle Design Awards and routinely serves as a guest critic, seminar leader, panelist, and mentor at Virginia Tech, UNCC, Clemson, UT Austin, and other Universities.
DAVID HILL, FAIA
EX OFFICIO
David Hill, FAIA, is a Professor and Head of the School of Architecture at North Carolina State University. He is a University Faculty Scholar and co- director of the Coastal Dynamics Design Lab (CDDL) in the College of Design. David’s teaching and research focus on design for coastal regions, integrative digital simulation processes, and architectural prototype design and production in contemporary practice. His work has been recognized with awards by the AIA, ACSA, and ASLA. David earned undergraduate degrees in architecture from NC State University and a Masters in Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
MURRAY KAMARA
EX OFFICIO
Murray is a talented designer with over a decade of experience in innovative design and creative problem solving. During his career, Murray has worked on many projects that have provided him with meaningful insight into the design elements that make places distinctive. He relishes the opportunity to think beyond spatial norms and create program areas that are frequently overlooked initially by clients but quickly become their favorite spaces. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the local arts scene of Durham & Chapel Hill and engaging with their vibrant communities.
+ STAFF
AIA Triangle staff run everything that goes on behind the scenes for the organization—supporting the Board, providing meaningful and beneficial services to members, and ensuring the Task Forces have what they need. They are our knowledge base and conduit. They are what keep us functioning smoothly. Have questions or just want to say a quick thanks?
Linda Frenette
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linda is the go-to person for members, volunteers, strategic partners and the general public. She manages the day-to-day operations of AIA Triangle hand-in-hand with our Board of Directors.
Linda brings more than 15 years of experience leading community organizations and most recently served as president of the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce. Linda‘s experience leading member-focused organizations will be an incredible asset to AIA Triangle as she advances the organization and adds value for members and partners.
JOIN THE BOARD
Why Serve?
The first reason to serve on a Board of Directors on a ‘conventional list’ might be, “To contribute to something meaningful.” You can also look at it this way: To allow something meaningful to contribute to you.
When you serve on the board, you have the honor, challenge, and responsibility of understanding how everything needs to work together for an organization to accomplish its goals. Other reasons to serve are:
- You get a valuable seat behind the wheel of a major organization, and you play a key role in strategizing. Your voice will be heard—and it has impact. You’ll hear the impactful voices of others, too. And, you’ll bring your own valuable talents, passions, and areas of expertise. You’ll open eyes and your eyes will be opened.
- Serving on the board is powerful way to build your own skills and expertise, as well as develop and grow as a leader, cultivate new skill sets, and expand your network of peers, professionals, community leaders, and community thought leaders.
- You will have the opportunity to learn about dealing with others as it relates to issues of leadership, finance, and other business areas. This experience of working with others in different areas will teach you about diplomacy.
Place yourself in the forefront of AIA and the profession, advance your career, get networked, and be an agent for change in collaboration with your peers. Look out for a Call for Applications in late summer every year.