About Us – Open Architecture Collaborative

Who We Are

The Open Architecture Collaborative is a US-based nonprofit (501c3) supported by a global chapter network. We develop educational programming for designers and architects to grow as leaders and changemakers while simultaneously producing placemaking programs with community developers and associations to inspire ownership and civic engagement in traditionally marginalized communities.

What we believe and how we work

To learn more about the Phoenix-like history of our organization and our commitment to our values, read this article from our founding director. For more information on our leadership development program, Pathways to Equity, visit the program site here.

Board Of Directors

Garrett Jacobs – Director of Operations, OAC

Shalini Agrawal – Director of Programs, OAC

Adria Moss – Associate Director, Loan Fund at Pacific Community Ventures.

Steve Jones – Principal of plantain studio: a design studio. Creative Director at Interviewing the Caribbean

Annie Ledbury – Creative Community Development Manager at East Bay Asian Local Community Development Corporation

Audrey Galo – Founder of AG Voiced. Previously Global Program Design Manager at Architecture for Humanity

Bryan Malong – R&D at Tipping Point Community. Previously managed IT operations at the Tides Foundation in San Francisco

Cristina Garmendia – Principle at URBNRX, Previously Associate Director of Community Engagement and Applied Learning at Washington University

Sandy Mendler – Architect and Planner at Gensler

Board Members Emeritus:

Ida Cheinman, Casius Pealer, Maryam Eskandari, Ricardo Daza, Geoff Malia

Advisors

“Gunner” – Allen Gunn, Director of Aspiration Tech

Ashley Z. Hand – Co-Founder at CityFi Former Transportation Technology Strategist – LA, Former Chief Innovation Officer – KCMO @azhandkc

Katherine Darnstadt – Founder + Principal Architect at Latent Design @LATENT_DESIGN

Dr. Antwi Akom, Tessa Cruz & Aekta Shah @I_SEEED

Shakira Ferrell – Non-Profit Executive, Development Specialist

Thanks to our Funding Partners

Thanks to our In-Kind Supporters

Legal Support – Melanie Ruthruaff at Mintz Levin

Branding – Eric Piper and Homestead Design & Branding

Design Support – Steve Jones, Plantain Studio

Branding Research – Mo Dhaliwal and Skyrocket

Business Model Research – verynice.

Software – Autodesk Foundation

Want to learn more?

Open Architecture Collaborative, Inc. is a California registered tax exempt 501(c)3 organization. The EIN number is 81-1270707 for all donation purposes.