Karen Conkey, AIA
Design Principal
Conkey Architects

With over 30 years of experience in the Washington, DC area, Karen Conkey has designed projects ranging from residential and historic renovations to restaurants, retail, and large mixed-use developments. Since founding Conkey Architects in Alexandria in 2009, she has focused on delivering imaginative, client-driven design solutions with impeccable service, guiding projects from concept through construction to achieve results that benefit both clients and the community. She works to forge lasting relationships with all clients, with their needs and desires driving her firm to deliver creative designs within the established budget. Shepherding a project through the many phases, governmental reviews, design and construction, her firm strives for optimal results benefitting not only the client, but the community. She firmly believes that understanding the client is the epitome of exceptional service, ultimately delivering the best design down to the smallest detail. Passionate about art, architecture, and design excellence, she is also deeply engaged in her community, having served as AIA Northern Virginia President in 2017 and currently as Secretary of the AIA Virginia Board.

Cristina Amoruso
Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Alexandria Economic Development Partnership

Cristina Amoruso works directly with Alexandria’s entrepreneurs to provide tailored support—from navigating access to capital to building stronger connections across the small business ecosystem. Cristina is passionate about empowering small businesses through educational programs, impactful events, and partnerships that foster innovation.  An advocate for livable, walkable communities and the preservation of a unique sense of place, Cristina is deeply committed to equity, community, and the pivotal role that small and distinctive businesses play in shaping vibrant cities like Alexandria. Cristina began her career in economic development supporting business recruitment, retention, and expansion efforts in New Jersey and Washington, DC. She later joined the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, where she helped turn the City’s commercial corridors into dynamic commercial hubs—advancing inclusive growth while honoring each community’s history and character.  With a background in architecture from the University of Miami and a master’s in historic preservation from Columbia University, Cristina brings a unique blend of design, policy, and people-centered development to her work—always with an eye toward community identity and resilience. She’s long admired Alexandria’s historic charm and entrepreneurial spirit. 

Richard Irons
VP, Business Banking Officer
Burke & Herbert Bank

As Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager at Burke & Herbert Bank, Richard Irons draws on more than 30 years of banking experience in Northern Virginia to deliver tailored financial solutions for businesses and individuals. He specializes in commercial and industrial lending, treasury management, and information technology, with a focus on helping clients achieve their financial and strategic goals. Dedicated to building long-term relationships, Richard is equally passionate about mentoring sales teams and giving back to the community through nonprofit board service and volunteer work. His commitment is to support both his clients’ success and the prosperity of the region he calls home.

Lauren Rhodes Martin
VP Risk Manager & Claims Specialist
Ames & Gough

Lauren Martin is a Vice President, Risk Manager and Claims Specialist focusing on the firm’s architect and engineer accounts. In her role she works directly with the firm’s partners and client executives on all aspects of design firm clients’ risk management, including contract reviews, claims advocacy, loss prevention training and advice. Prior to joining Ames & Gough, Lauren had a distinguished career of nearly 35 years at CNA, where she held positions of increasing responsibility in claims and client management, culminating with her appointment in 2018 as A/E Platinum Accounts Director. For more than three decades she was directly responsible for handling exclusively architect and engineer errors and omissions (E&O) claims.

Jonathan C. Shoemaker
Managing Member
Lee/Shoemaker

Design professionals are innovative problem solvers—so is Jonathan Shoemaker. Jonathan approaches each engagement by first asking: what does the contract say? He focuses on how risk and responsibility were allocated at the outset of a project and works with clients to resolve issues efficiently and in line with their goals. An experienced trial lawyer, Jonathan has represented clients before judges, juries, and arbitrators, and relishes the challenge of breaking down complex disputes and presenting them clearly. He also advises design firms on corporate structuring, licensure, and risk management strategies. Jonathan frequently speaks on risk management, project delivery, and legal best practices at client seminars, industry programs, and events hosted by professional organizations and insurers.

Amanda D’Luhy, CPSM
Director of Marketing+Business Development | Associate Principal, Hickok Cole

Amanda has devoted her career to communicating the value of good design. As the Director of Marketing and Business Development, at Hickok Cole she develops and implements creative strategies that support firm growth and differentiation. Amanda earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Art History from the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University. Amanda is a Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) and a Fitwel Ambassador. She is currently President-Elect of SMPS DC.

Carol Duke, Assoc. AIA
Principal | Cultural+Performing Arts, DLR Group

With a passion for arts and architecture for over 30 years, Carol Duke helps museums, performing arts centers, and associated arts organizations plan for and design facilities that best suit the needs of their audiences, colleagues, and communities. She leads client development and strategy at DLR Group, expanding the firm’s international cultural and performing arts studio. Her long-range planning and commitment to equitable community-building support projects at a high level, resulting in exceptional, inspiring design solutions. Carol serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and ArtTable in New York, and leads sponsorship for the Society for College & University Planning’s Mid-Atlantic Council. She holds a BA in Art History from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. In her spare time, Carol loves to curate her Little Free Library, travel with her husband and twin daughters, attend the theater, and visit museums.

Laura Ewan, FSMPS, CPSM
Brand Strategist, Dragonfly AEC Consulting

Laura Ewan, FSMPS, CPSM, is a Brand Strategist with Dragonfly AEC Consulting, a holistic marketing and BD consulting firm driving AEC leaders forward through meaningful strategies, messaging, and partnerships. A culture driver with a track record of transformation, she has seen first-hand how powerful brands and shared vision help firms level up. Laura’s ability to synthesize diverse perspectives and preferences into clear, consistent messaging helps bring clarity and consensus to communications strategy. And her belief that actions speak louder than words in marketing results in brands both clients and employees can believe in. Laura is passionate about helping AEC marketers grow their careers and influence through intentional professional development, and speaks regularly on topics related to strategic planning, brand and culture, and marketing fundamentals. 

Charmaine Josiah
Principal Marketing Consultant, Multifacet Marketing

Charmaine Josiah is a marketing consultant with over 20 years of experience helping firms—especially in the AEC and CRE sectors—build stronger brands, craft compelling content, and win more work. As the founder of Multifacet Marketing, she blends strategy, storytelling, and design to support businesses with everything from proposals and digital campaigns to research and communications. She’s currently completing a business accelerator program through Goldman Sachs & NYU’s School of Business and is slated to graduate in June. A proud D.C. native with roots in Guyana (South America), Charmaine brings a multicultural perspective and a creative spirit to her professional and personal pursuits—fueled by a lifelong appreciation of the arts, music, dance, fashion, architecture and interior design.

Joseph B McCoy, AIA
Founder & Principal, Joseph B McCoy Architects

Joseph B. McCoy, AIA, LEED AP began his career in Berlin, Germany, working on adaptive re-use, historic modernization, and mixed-use in-fill projects. After relocating to Alexandria, Virginia, he joined Geier Brown Renfrow Architects, where he served for 16 years as project architect and manager. His work there included the renovation of the German Embassy in Washington, DC; Gonzaga College High School’s Student Commons and Historic Theater; the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia; and the LEED Gold Science Building at the German School in Potomac, Maryland. He later spent nine years with Sanchez Palmer Architects, managing projects such as THEARC West in Southeast DC, the Columbia Heights Pediatric Clinic for Children’s National, and a new parking structure for the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. With extensive experience in historic and sustainable design, Joseph values existing buildings as enduring community assets while creating healthy, enriching spaces.

Leesa Mayfield, AIA
Owner, DFC-LMA Architecture

With over 25 years of experience in architecture, Leesa has been dedicated to enhancing client spaces since becoming a registered architect in 2008. Holding a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Virginia and an M.S. in Architecture with a focus on Sustainable Design from the University of Oregon, she has worked on diverse projects ranging from schools to multi-family housing. In 2016, she founded her own firm, Leesa Mayfield Architecture, and in 2020, merged with another firm to become DFC-LMA Architecture, a SWaM (Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business) certified firm. As a partner and owner, she leverages her extensive experience to create thoughtful and practical designs that meet client needs. DFC-LMA Architecture is committed to listening, conceptualizing, and executing brilliant spaces, with a strong focus on mentorship and community engagement.

Josh A.W. McKenrick, AIA
Owner, Allen Wright Design, PLLC

Since 2004, Joshua has been working in the residential design business, sharing and developing ideas with clients ranging from private homeowners to small builders to large developers. He understands the value of working closely with a client, listening to what they are looking for in a project while respecting both their ambitions and limitations. His passion for design pushed him to start his own practice, enabling him to put his own experience and style at the forefront for his clients.

Beth Reader, FAIA
Co-Founder, Reader & Swartz Architects

Beth Reader, FAIA, a 1986 graduate of Virginia Tech, founded Reader & Swartz Architects with her husband and business partner, Chuck Swartz, FAIA, in 1990. Her seven person firm, located in the small city of Winchester, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, does a wide variety of residential, commercial, and institutional projects, and has won over 90 design awards. Beth served on the Board of Directors of AIA Virginia for nine years and was the AIA Virginia president in 2020. She served on the Winchester Board of Architectural Review for seven years, including as vice chair. She has served on the Virginia Tech Architecture Advisory Board since 2018 and was the 2024 Chair. She has lectured on her firm’s work at numerous design symposiums over the years, and has served as a juror for many architectural design award programs.

Lee Quill, FAIA
Founding Principal, Cunningham Quill Architects

Lee Quill, FAIA is a Founding Principal of Cunningham Quill Architects in Washington, D.C., with over forty years of experience in urban design, master planning, and architecture across institutional, housing, higher education, religious, residential, and mixed-use projects. A nationally recognized leader in community engagement and design, he has lectured widely through the Urban Land Institute, AIA, APA, the National Building Museum, and universities nationwide. Quill has served on numerous civic boards, including the DC Mayoral Task Force on Transit-Oriented Development, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Development Policy Committee and 2050 Initiative, and advisory committees for the City of Alexandria. He currently serves on the boards of Virginia Episcopal Real Estate Partners (VEREP) and Virginia Tech’s Washington Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC) Firm Advisory Board. His work has earned multiple awards from AIA, CNU, and APA, and in 2025 his firm was featured in the U.S. Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia.

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