Of the over 121,000 registered architects in the United States, only 6 percent identify as Latino or Hispanic, according to NCARB. Latinos represent 19.1 percent of the total U.S. population, the nation’s second largest ethnic group. In Houston, Latinos comprise 44.1 percent of the population.
Join the Latinos in Architecture (LiA) Committee for an intimate conversation engaging leadership from firms of different sizes on their efforts to increase that percentage, empower their Latino employees, develop and support a pipeline of future Latino architects from high schools and colleges, and giving a voice to Latinos.
This conversation will focus on managing principals of mid and large-sized firms, including Ruben Martinez (PGAL), Sandra Morrison, RA (Ziegler Cooper), Maria Perez, AIA (Gensler) and Cindy Villareal, AIA (O’Connell Robertson). These leaders will discuss managing a firm, their values on hiring practices and how they maintain a culturally diverse firm and staff.
Happy hour sponsored by Gensler.
Available parking options include the 2 Houston Center Garage and the 803 Fannin Garage; please check the parking garage website for rates. There is also metered street parking in the area.
About the Panelists
Ruben Martinez
Principal, PGAL
With over 30 years of experience in architecture and planning, Ruben has led projects ranging from Texas’s largest historic courthouse restoration to a net-zero facility. His ability to understand client needs, combined with a passion for design and attention to detail, sets him apart.
A graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Architecture, Ruben has dedicated more than 20 years of his career to PGAL, excelling at project management, design, and planning, helping guide prominent public projects in Greater Houston from concept to completion with a reputation for delivering excellence.
Sandra Morrison, RA, LEED AP
Associate Principal of Urban Residential, Ziegler Cooper
Sandra Morrison is a native of Colombia and holds a Master’s degree in Architecture combined with experience encompassing urban, residential, and commercial design. Cumulatively, she’s worked for Ziegler Cooper for just over a decade.
She has worked on design projects in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Dubai, and the U.S. and can speak native Spanish and fluent English. Versatility continues throughout Sandra’s work with her extensive research on new designs and advanced technical aspects.
Maria Perez, AIA
Climate Action & Sustainability Leader, Sustainability Director, Senior Associate, Gensler
Maria is a Climate Action & Sustainability Leader for Gensler’s South Central region and a Sustainability Director, based in Gensler’s Houston office. She serves as one of the firm’s leading sustainability ambassadors, promoting resilience, wellness, performance-based design, climate action, and our Gensler GC3 goals.
Maria is a LEED Fellow with multiple credentials, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, and Licensed Architect and Interior Designer. As an industry leader, promoting green building and sustainable living practices, Maria is currently serving as the chair of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Green Building Council Texas Chapter. She helps architects and designers focus on health and wellness and discover how they can design more energy-efficient buildings with lower building and operating costs.
Cindy Villarreal, AIA
Director of Houston Office, O’Connell Roberrtson
Cindy Villarreal is a seasoned leader in architectural planning and project acquisition, with a strong focus on higher education and healthcare initiatives across Texas. As the Houston Office Director, Cindy is instrumental in expanding business development efforts throughout the Houston region while driving strategic growth statewide.
With decades of experience in the design of higher education and Science and Technology facilities, Cindy has led projects ranging from allied health and nursing schools to dental institutions and advanced diagnostics and neuroscience laboratories. Her expertise lies in managing multidisciplinary design teams and fostering collaboration to ensure projects are delivered successfully.
Cindy is a passionate advocate for sustainable and resilient design. She champions human-centric environments that prioritize occupant well-being and support thriving communities. Her leadership continues to shape spaces that are not only functional and efficient but also inspiring and inclusive.
