#MOYAtalks

As a part of our #MOYATalks series on DMV Heritage and People, we had a great conversation with Vinay Ganeshan, Moya Design Partners' Principal & Senior Project Manager. Vinay walked us through his decision to become an architect, his early years in the US, and his long experience in over two dozen projects in the Mid-Atlantic region.  

Vinay talked about his time as part of MOYA’s leadership. The company is building its success on a balanced approach between sound business strategy and equitable development. Finally, he shared his love for golf and for the multicultural culinary richness of the region. Thank you Vinay!

As a part of our Design and Sustainability #MOYAtalks series, we had a privilege to host a talk with Jonathan Moody AIA, NOMA, NCARB, LEED AP.  

Jonathan Moody is the AIA 2021 Young Architect Recipient and it is easy to understand why. Last year he became the CEO of Moody Nolan Design, the largest African American Architecture firm in the US. The conversation was great, Jonathan shared his current approach to architecture and Moody-Nolan's community work, his vision for sustainable design and the creation of more holistic spaces that provide opportunities.  

Thank you once again, Jonathan, it was a true pleasure and an unforgettable experience to connect with you!

#MOYA has wrapped up our Design and Sustainability #MOYAtalks series with a very special guest appearance: Ella Faulkner, the Deputy Director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. 

Ella talked about the sustainability criteria for all the new projects in #DC, how DC became the city with the best park system in the US. She shared some details on her personal and professional background and how she first ventured in urban planning and development.  

Thank you, Ella, for joining us and sharing your knowledge!

It was a pleasure to talk with Tessa Edison for our first #MOYATalks on DMV Heritage and People. It is always great to have the chance to learn from people like Tessa who know the District in and out and have had a hand in shaping the city through their work. Tessa shared her insights on the role that Black and Brown firms have in contributing to a more equitable development of the District that is respectful of its history and listens to its citizens.  

We discovered that Tessa once wanted to be a sports agent and that her desire to empower other people translates to her work at Asset Management Consulting. As always, our staff took part in the conversation and we discussed together how important role models are and how athletes have progressively become much more active agents of social change.  

In all, this was a great conversation with an amazing woman. Thank you, Tessa!

Continuing our Design and Sustainability #MOYAtalks series, we've had a pleasure to host a talk with David Baumann, Director of Data and Innovation at FARM-TRACE and Taking Root. We talked about Demand Driven energy modeling, carbon sequestration, and data-informed reforestation and foresting projects.  

David walked the audience through Taking Root’s approach to reforestation, which puts emphasis on improving the economic opportunities of small landowners and farmers. He also explained at length, the data collection process of Taking Root and FARM-TRACE and how that data helps reforestation efforts and improves strategies for carbon sequestration.    

David was a great communicator, and we want to show him our appreciation for his insights and knowledge. Please, if you are interested in learning about the excellent work that Taking Root and FARM-TRACE are doing, follow them. Their innovative approach is really worth a look.    

Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your knowledge, David!

As a part of our #MOYAtalks Design and Sustainability series, we’ve had a privilege to connect with Annie Ratanasim and Sandy Paik, from DC Green Bank. We have had many great conversations in our Moya Talk series, since we started back in February, and this one was superb.   

Annie and Sandy shared their work experiences at DC Green Bank, told us more about the projects that the organization is covering, as well as shared their thoughts on sustainable development and sustainable cities and food justice.  A history graduate, Sandy, had this absolute pearl “Policy making is about being a historian for the future”, when explaining how she first became interested in affordable housing and sustainability. And that reflection is on point, climate and food justice requires us to think about our societies as a never- ending design process where we can effect positive change.  

Thank you so much, Annie and Sandy, for such an insightful conversation! The energy was ecstatic.

As a part of our Sustainability and Design #MOYAtalks series, we had a privilege to talk with Ana Ka’ahanui. Ana is the communication manager at the U.S. Green Buidling Council. 

In her electric and captivating style, Ana elaborated on the story of the U.S. Green Building Council and shared her experiences in 18 years working in the council.  As an advocate for environmental education, Ana talked about her non-profit organization, Capital Nature, and the highs and lows of educating the public about environmental issues. Without a doubt, Ana has the gift of communication and we enjoyed learning about Capital Nature’s initiatives in the region and how the use of technology amplifies our ability to understand and expand our knowledge.  

Thank you, Ana, for sharing your knowledge and such an insightful and important conversation!

As a part our Inclusive Design and Accessible Cities #MOYAtalks series, we had the privilege to connect with Catarina Rivera, MSEd, MPH, Founder of Blindish Latina and DEI Consultant.  

Catarina shared with us how her Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage shaped her experience broaden her horizons and provided perspective while growing up. Catarina gently and clearly walked our audience through her journey as an advocate, her life with Usher syndrome, and her work as a DEI consultant.  

We discussed key concepts such as “invisible disability” and how to have productive conversation on disability beyond cliches and token representation.  Catarina, thank you for sharing your time and experience.  

Please, if you want to learn more about Catarina and her work, visit her website: https://www.catarinarivera.com

As a part of our #MOYAtalks series celebrating Women History Month, we've had the pleasure to host a talk with Cheryl Steigerwald LEED AP, the Vice President of Vertical Design for The NRP Group.  

Cheryl shared her thoughts about women leadership in architecture, the story about how she switched from architecture to development and real estate and how her background as an architect is essential to the success in her role managing NRP $2billion portfolio.  

Thank you, Cheryl, it was a privilege to connect with you!

As a part of #MOYAtalks series celebrating Black History Month, our team had a privilege to host a talk with Jason Pugh, NOMA’s Director and Gensler’s Senior Associate.  

Jason talked about his approach to architecture, his vision for NOMA during his leadership, implementation of participatory decision making in complex architectural projects, as well as his thoughts about designing more equitable cities.  Jason was sharp, incisive and full of amazing analogies and data that were enlightening about the challenges BIPOC face in the profession. This was a great way to wrap up our Black History Month MOYA Talks.  

Thank you, Jason!