Leading strategic and executive direction for the firm, Nancy is committed to connecting our multi-office teams, strategic partners and clients. She is guiding the leadership transition of our employee-owned company, increasing transparency in business operations with an emphasis on continuous professional development. Providing a platform for thought leadership, education and giving, DAHLIN is a preferred employer, a connected member of our communities, and a trusted advisor to our clients.

Champion of new thinking and pushing the envelope of design with ideas that create thoughtful, livable and economically viable communities, John paced himself early to lead design excellence into the future. He is a passionate creative who thrives on the opportunity to design at a variety of scales for a variety of project types. He is known for challenging each project team to develop the most innovative and economically viable solutions, engaging frequently in design brainstorms.

Whether it is her own studio, designed in a contemporary rural vernacular in Montana, or a mixed-use village on the West Coast, Lauri focuses on the integration of art, architecture, urban design and context to craft a unique sense of place. She stewards the environmental conscience of DAHLIN to understand and meet the challenges every project must overcome to be truly sustainable. Lauri's work, extending the length of the U.S. West Coast, shapes the design of our community fabric.

Since founding the firm in 1976, Doug's visionary design leadership has driven growth and diversity for over 40 years. Globally, his pioneering design solutions for community planning and vertical urbanization have produced work at every scale. As firm leadership transitions into the future, Doug continues to inspire our design process with a special interest in agriculture as a key component in community open space—vested personally in his working, sustainable farm in northern California.

Emily oversees quality assurance processes that uphold DAHLIN’s legacy of design. She thrives on the technical aspects of architecture to establishing standards for project delivery, construction administration, and training. Emily cultivates collaboration to ensure quality and attention to detail are addressed at all levels across a project, delivering on the best client service.

Tim is integral to the firm’s financial well-being and strategic initiatives, bringing a wealth of expert financial and business knowledge with over 20 years as a CFO and more than 35 years of accounting, finance, budgeting, banking, taxes and financial systems experience. A Certified Public Accountant for more than 33 years, Tim joined DAHLIN in 2007 as the CFO.

Drawing upon her 20+ years in marketing and her training as a professional coach, Vanessa leads firm-wide strategy of integrated brand communications across all channels of marketing, business development and cultural activities. Through her collaborative partnership with practice group leaders, she drives brand awareness, visibility, client acquisition and retention.

Gabriela thrives on creating workplaces that attract and enable creative, talented people to bring their best. She firmly believes that our Passion for Place® starts with our own working environment—a positive community where people thrive. Her expertise in management, combined with her diverse background in people development, enables and promotes achievement and well-being.

Jaclyn leads business operations across the firm, including the administrative and operations teams and the ESOP communications committee. Specializing in contract documents and risk management, she shapes the strategies for and oversees the implementation of best practices for project management as well as legal, contracting, and risk management. She is passionate about driving process efficiencies and exceeding industry benchmarks that support excellent client and employee relationship experiences.

Desiree's energetic, hands-on approach to problem-solving supports multi-office teams, maintaining the quality of our facilities and equipping us with the latest technology in information services. With more than 30 years in Information Technology, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of IT leaders. Her collaborative leadership and firm-wide strategic initiatives in technology and facility operations is an integral component of DAHLIN’s resilience and growth amidst the realities of an evolving landscape.

Jack's experience encompasses designing, detailing and managing commercial, custom home, and complex residential mixed-use projects. As managing principal of the Austin office, he maintains conscientious oversight of the design process and staff development. His background is enriched by his travels to over 50 countries across six continents, experiencing a diversity of architectural styles and placemaking solutions. Jack's philosophy bases every architecture endeavor on pursuing a “Big Idea” to the end, despite obstacles and avoiding complacency, yields success.

Leading the Bellevue office, Lauren is passionate about mentorship and fostering a collaborative, creative environment. She cares deeply for the life experiences of the people who live and work within built environments, whether that be a DAHLIN office or a client project. Her experience in single-family and multifamily communities allows her to efficiently manage projects during all phases, from design through construction administration, contributing to sustainable development and supporting the Pacific Northwest’s economic growth and vitality.

There is a story behind every place—a story derived from history, culture and experience. As an architect immersed in design, Kurt believes these stories contribute character and soul to the built environment. Whether he is working close to home or across the globe, Kurt absorbs and understands the context of a place before he starts thinking inside the walls. His 30+ years of experience has produced award-winning communities throughout California and many provinces in China.

Mario is a master architect and artisan of contemporary design. He defines the character of a place, a building, a landscape, through the composition of exquisite detailing—translated from a piece of jewelry into a motif for a canopy, the color of a Parisian vase into an accent wall, or nature embodied within the structural design of a building. He is the recipient of prestigious design awards, including AIA's Custom Residence National Award, and is a published designer in magazines.

Sean, co-leader of our San Diego office, leads our Multifamily, Mixed-use and Affordable Housing sectors. His design philosophy is inspired by synthesizing visual art, rational problem-solving, and social responsibility. His leadership provides exceptional client experiences through raised levels of collaboration and execution methods. Clients rely on his advanced design skill and strategic council to evaluate the feasibility of complex sites to design projects that are financially successful.

Raised in homebuilding with experience at her father's construction company, working with clients towards creative, executable designs is a personal passion. Specializing in residential communities and low-density attached projects, Darian explores fresh constructable ideas, inspiring creative design solutions that enhance livability for homeowners and value for homebuilders. Darian partners with clients, contributing to their success through cultivating meaningful, collaborative relationships.

Gregor has perfected his craft working with clients and contractors to help shape places and spaces we live, work, shop, recreate, care, protect and worship. His diverse background and experience, particularly in commercial and community endeavors, allows him to lead project teams undertaking a wide variety of project types and architectural styles and influence. "Our project approach is to craft a unique solution for each client, one that should be functional, creative, environmentally sound, and will meet the client's timeline and budget expectations."

Leading DAHLIN’s work in education and healthcare, as well as co-leading our San Diego office, Elizabeth is passionate about designing projects that support community wellbeing. With over 20 years of experience successfully guiding clients through complex agency processes with DSA and OSHPD, Elizabeth designs engaging, interactive learning environments. Her healthcare experience includes work with Kaiser Permanente, UC San Diego Health and Stanford Healthcare, ranging from medical office modernizations and tenant improvements to equipment replacements.

An expert in institutional and municipal architecture, Stephanie crafts thoughtful and memorable community-centric facilities for public agencies. With experience in commercial, retail, and office projects, Stephanie has a unique perspective from which she translates commercial design innovations into value enhancing designs to better serve her public clients and their communities. Staying at the forefront of technological advancements, she facilitates the firm’s delivery of state-of-the-art solutions that move projects forward in an increasingly digital work environment.

Justin is a versatile leader working across multiple market sectors with experience in residential, commercial, hospitality, and medical facilities, complementing the firm’s diversified portfolio. Leading the growth of our Bellevue office, Justin is focused on elevating the level of design in the Pacific Northwest. He develops exceptionally creative solutions to complex challenges, exceeding expectations of clients and mentoring the next generation of design leaders. Justin’s collaborative approach fosters long-term partnerships with clients and industry colleagues.

Brett provides strategic project and design leadership in complex multifamily and mixed-use projects to teams across the firm based on over 20 years of commercial, office, recreational, multifamily, and mixed-use project experience, tackling issues of high density, infill housing, and neighborhood sensitivity. Brett thrives on mentoring teams in sound project delivery methods and has become a trusted advisor to his clients, raising the level of design and execution in service of the firm’s clients higher, project-by-project.

A leader of DAHLIN’s commercial teams, Ben’s forward-thinking design practices are rooted in sustainability with experience in breweries, gymnasiums, country clubs, and restaurants. He fosters collaboration between commercial and civic, education, healthcare, residential, and interiors teams to enhance client experience through the cross-pollination of our diverse expertise. Regarded for building meaningful client relationships, Ben's knowledgeable design solutions are truly aligned with the businesses and objectives.

Fusing art and science, with his rich experience in multiple facets of the industry, Justin’s integrated approach to placemaking is apparent across all disciplines, levels, and project phases, from master plans through construction. With a trifecta of experience in architecture, engineering, and planning, Justin is successful on a broad range of projects, including residential, civic, and commercial. A dedicated mentor, he develops and encourages the next generation of urban designers in creating places that will stand the test of time.

With more than 20 years of planning, urban design, and architectural experience, Ritu Raj provides strategic guidance to communities, private developers, and public agencies. His expertise with building typologies and densities, building and municipal codes, legislation, and building form and mass, elevates the decision-making process to effectively achieve project objectives. His leadership embodies DAHLIN’s placemaking philosophy by creating sustainable communities and celebrating diverse lifestyles.

Jaime embraces the architect role as a problem solver with focus on innovative, environmentally-conscious design. A hands-on advocate for the profession's diversification, she volunteers with AEC mentorship programs for students and emerging professionals serving underrepresented communities with the AIA and local non-profit organizations. An expertise in residential design, she is adept at leading teams in service of established homebuilders as well as coaching the emerging for success.

Chris works hand-in-hand with a talented team of planners, designers, and project managers in developing successful communities from initial schematic design to successful, rewarding entitlements for residential developments throughout the western U.S. His strengths are his leadership, strategic insight, and creative thinking that challenges normal, with a portfolio of master planned communities, site-specific neighborhood design, urban infill, and mixed-use multifamily developments.

An innovator in design thinking, Ryan challenges teams across the firm to think differently. Harnessing the potential of a project’s vision, he is known for seeding brainstorming sessions with fresh, thought-provoking perspective that inspire our teams to push the envelope of design. He has led the innovative architectural design of many building types that have moved design forward, while passing the test of market demands. Dedicated to the homebuilding industry, Ryan is a member of the BIAOC Board of Directors.

Padru has earned a reputation for dynamic and innovative design. He leads integration of the ever-evolving, fast-paced world of technology into the DAHLIN design process, ensuring design integrity in service of the client. With a zeal for motivating and encouraging greatness, he is an integral mentor, bringing the next generation of design leaders to the next level. His leadership elevates the client experience, pushing teams to provide higher levels of quality, efficiency, and communication throughout the lifecycle projects.

Committed to DAHLIN’s mission of bringing quality housing to society’s vulnerable, Chris is an expert in the complexities of affordable housing development and the many funding source requirements. He provides strategic direction and leadership, advising firm-wide teams to help clients achieve beautifully designed communities that maximize the value of public funding for affordable housing. He is active with affordable housing organizations including Non-Profit Housing, East Bay Housing Organization, and Housing California.

Don oversees design, entitlement, and construction documents for multiple teams across the firm, at all scales of residential development. With excellent communication skills and relationships, he interacts closely with developers, builders, and management teams on all levels. As a North State BIA Associates Council member, Don is active in shaping the direction and supporting the homebuilding industry’s goals. Don embodies a passion for placemaking and enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for homebuilding with staff and clients alike.

A leader in interior design and project management, Jennifer is passionate about all aspects of design, from generating creative new concepts to fresh interpretations of classic styles. She provides inspiration and guidance to teams firm wide. Known for welcoming challenges, she collaborates with clients through every phase of the design process to understand their vision, translating those concepts into inspirational and thoughtful design solutions that attract buyers, while ensuring client integrity from start to finish.

Growing up in a family of artists and architects, Kurt’s passion for architecture started from an early age. He mentors staff to be well-rounded design professionals with technical swagger and encourages teams to ensure design continues to inform their solutions throughout the life of the project, up to the final nail. Kurt plays an integral role in DAHLIN quality control, regularly reviewing drawings and identifying opportunities to refine and improve constructability, while enabling teams to focus on creating great architecture.

Jeff is passionate about taking projects from paper to "Place," bringing a collaborative spirit to the construction process. A leader of multifamily, affordable housing, and senior living teams, his mentorship of code and construction practices result in efficient and buildable projects, laying the foundation of DAHLIN construction documentation quality and administration. Committed to delivering an excellent client experience, Jeff’s leadership is distinguished by his dual stewardship of design intent and buildability.