THE BOARD
James Holland
PRESIDENT | PRESIDENT@i-noma.org
President - James Holland , AIA, NOMA, LEED AP
James Holland AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, has two decades of experience as an architect, developer, construction manager and builder. As a University of Illinois alumni, James began his career in Architecture working with William E. Brazley, FAIA, NOMA. His professional experience has extended to include project management, program management, and owner’s representation for both private and public stakeholders. As a strategic advisor and executor, his professional experiences in the built environment extends to a large number of building types including custom single-family homes, multi-family residences, educational, civic, and hospitality projects through various project delivery methods. James also has extensive experience with complex environmental remediation scopes, adaptive re-use/renovation, and historical landmark projects as well.
Currently, James serves as managing principal of Drumlin Architecture and as Director of Construction for SP Murphy, Inc. A business and developer services consulting firm.
James has held multiple I-NOMA Board positions previously, acting both as Membership Chair and Parliamentarian.
Along with James support and membership in the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), James is also a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings (CCHRB), Council on Tall Building and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). James’ career has been one focused on increasing the visibility and support of minority talent, with an industry focus and reputation of integrity, efficiency and speed to market.
Monica Willemsen
VICE PRESIDENT | VICE-PRESIDENT@i-noma.org
Monica Willemsen is an Associate Principal and Senior Designer at SCB. In SCB’s campus environments studio, Monica plans and designs facilities that support the vision, mission, and goals of higher educational institutions. She develops high-performance design solutions that use leading technology to reduce energy use and mitigate negative effects on the environment. Monica was the Senior Designer for the Academic and Residential Complex, a 201,000-square-foot LEED-Gold mixed-use building at the University of Illinois at Chicago that received multiple awards, including an AIA Education Facility Design Award and an AIA Chicago Design Excellence Award.
Monica’s work seeks to impact student success by providing a sense of belonging, safety, and discovery through the built environment. Monica considers each design decision through the lens of the end user. Her childhood in Guatemala, immigration to the United States, and background in the arts, drive her to design spaces that provide a singular sense of place, drawn from the geographic, social, and cultural context of each project.
As I-NOMA Vice President, Monica knows that mentorship and a strong professional community are critical for developing minority leaders in the profession. Monica is committed to I-NOMA’s role in supporting the needs, demands, and aspirations of its members and excited to highlight the creativity and excellence of NOMA members and work together for social and political change.
Monica holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington in Seattle and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. She member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
Chelsea Jackson-Greene
SECRETARY | MARKETING@I-NOMA.ORG
Chelsea Jackson-Greene, NCIDQ, NOMA, WELL AP, LEED GA is an Interior Designer III at Perkins&Will Chicago. In addition to her functional role, Chelsea is the Co-Lead of the Perkins&Will Chicago studio’s J.E.D.I. (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) team. Her role includes executing and tailoring firmwide J.E.D.I. goals and initiatives to the Chicago studio while also ideating, organizing, and implementing events, projects and sub-committees that align with J.E.D.I. topics and objectives. Looking for likeminded professional organizations and initiatives outside of her work, Chelsea joined I-NOMA in Fall of 2022.
Prior to joining Perkins&Will, Chelsea worked in historic preservation, multi-family and commercial development, hospitality and education design during her time working in Georgia. Chelsea has also previously served as the Vice-Chairwoman of the board for the Savannah Historic Preservation Commission.
Chelsea obtained her BFA in Interior Design from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2017 where she also minored in Architectural History and Design for Sustainability. Chelsea also holds a Certificate from New England College in Creative Placemaking. Chelsea’s areas of interest include user and community health and wellbeing, social justice, design equity and cultural competency and asset preservation.
Aaron DeRoux
Treasurer | finance@i-noma.org
Aaron DeRoux is a design professional committed to sustainable development and community engagement, with over a decade of experience in youth outreach and fundraising. A native of Maryland, he has worked with various architecture firms and government agencies in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, applying his expertise to create impactful, environmentally responsible designs. Aaron earned his Bachelor of Science from Morgan State University and later obtained his Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As a LEED BD+C-accredited professional, he integrates sustainable practices into his work aiming to build inclusive environments.
Neşe Altıntaş
PARLIAMENTARIAN | parliamentarian@i-noma.org
Neşe Altıntaş, Assoc. AIA, AIAS, NOMA is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she earned her Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Psychology with honors. Her architectural journey, shaped by a profound understanding of how space impacts mental and physical well-being, drives her to design environments that promote and foster healing.
Currently, Neşe works as an Architectural Designer at Wold Architects and Engineers, where she contributes to K-12 renovation and expansion projects. This role has provided her with the rewarding opportunity to help enhance the learning environments of future generations while continuing to pursue licensure and further her career.
In 2022, as a NOMA Future Faces Fellow, Neşe interned with Quinn Evans Architects in Washington, D.C., contributing to notable projects such as the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum renovation. Following her graduation in 2023, she served as an Internship Coordinator at Landon Bone Baker Architects (LBBA), where she mentored high school students through design-build projects and post-occupancy evaluations.
Neşe’s dedication to empowering youth and emerging professionals is reflected in her extensive leadership and advocacy work. Through her long-standing involvement with I-NOMA’s Teen Design Build and Project Pipeline programs, Neşe has inspired and championed countless students by introducing them to the transformative possibilities of architecture and design-related career paths. Her commitment extends to the ACE Chicago Mentor Program, where she collaborates with high school students to nurture their creative potential and guide them toward meaningful careers in design.
As a member of the AIA Chicago Young Architects Forum Committee and Chicago Women in Architecture, Neşe actively fosters dialogue and mentorship within the design community. During her tenure with AIAS, Neşe held multiple leadership roles, including President of IIT AIAS, Events Chair, and Co-Chair of the AIAS Council of Global Representatives, where she organized initiatives that uplifted the voices of architecture students both nationwide and internationally. Additionally, as the AIASpire Student Chair and Student Director for AIA Illinois, she advocated for the needs of students and worked to bridge the gap between education and practice. Neşe currently serves as the AIA Illinois Early Professional (EP) Chicago Delegate, where she advocates for the needs of young professionals on the path to licensure.
Jaime Serrano
Student Liaison | studentliaison@i-noma.org
Student Liason - Jeffrey Ose Ohuaregbe
Jaime Serrano is a 2nd-year Architecture and Design student at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with a heavy passion for designing and creating. Jaime has spent his whole life in the picturesque city of Chicago, and developed a growing and curious passion for Architecture and design, along with the technical details of it. Jaime is heavily focus on sustainability and making the world a better and more creative place, along with an interest in Retail, Commercial, Residential, Landscape, etc.
Jaime is currently involved in both school and outside Architecture organizations, NOMAS, I-NOMA, AIAS, AIA Chicago, SPECTACULAR Student Ambassador, Arquitectos President, and Masonry Advisory Council Active Participant.
Alex Sanchez
DIRECTOR
Alex Sanchez, NOMAS, is a first-generation undergraduate student in their fourth year of architecture studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology, is the current host of the Beyond the Surface Podcast, co-president of the NOMAS chapter at IIT, and a member of the I-NOMA marketing committee. Their passion lies in designing environments that positively impact people's lives, fueled by a strong belief in the transformative power of architecture.
Within NOMASiit, Alex initiated the Beyond the Surface podcast, coordinated firm visits, and facilitated a panel discussion for non-citizen students. In addition to taking on taking on leadership roles this year, they spearheaded a successful fundraising campaign for the national conference, participated in the annual design competition, organized panels and social events, and developed a Material and Tool Request program aimed at distributing free materials to students.
Dr. Douglas A. Williams
DIRECTOR
Dr. Douglas A. Williams, ASALH, ASLA, CELA, EDRA, NOMA, MANRRS, LEED Green Associate is a past Fulbright scholar in Africa and National Park Service – DSC landscape architect.
He studied abroad in the Caribbean and Europe, while completing his B.S. in horticulture at the University of Illinois (UIUC). In addition, he studied abroad in Japan, before finishing his M.L.A. at Cornell University. He earned a Ph.D. in landscape architecture from UIUC, where he was also a postdoctoral research associate in the College of Applied Health Sciences. The Harvard University, Dumbarton Oak research awardee, recently joined the distinguished list of Landscape Architecture Foundation Fellows and lectures at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Michael Rogers
Historian | historian@i-noma.org
Historian - Michael Rogers
Michael Rogers, NOMA, is well respected for his community service and professional accomplishments. He has been a professional architect for over 40 years. For 32 years he designed and managed construction of McDonald’s Restaurants that were built in all 50 states of America. In 2000 he also created Maywood Illinois’ notable Underground Railroad Memorial.
Mr. Rogers was elected President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) in 1995 and in 2010 was the first African American to serve as President of the American Institute of Architects for Illinois. He was inducted to the NOMA Council in 1995.
He has served the community for decades including as a Maywood Illinois, Councilman, a Bellwood Illinois Councilman, a Zoning & Planning Commissioner, and a consistent career development volunteer and advisory at schools of every level throughout the region.
He is currently Chairman of the NOMA Foundation, Vice-Chair of the National Public Housing Museum, and an educator at Triton College in Illinois.