THE BOARD
James Holland
PRESIDENT | PRESIDENT@i-noma.org
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.
Vada Kornegay
VICE PRESIDENT | admin@i-noma.org
Vada Kornegay, AIA, LEED AP Vada Kornegay, AIA, LEED AP is Founder & CEO of JIL Architects and Technologists, an MBE/WBE-certified company. She is one of the first African American women architects to be licensed in Illinois and one of the first 300 hundred to be licensed in the United States.
With over twenty-eight years in the AEC industry, Vada is known for designing inspiring impactful spaces that serve her clients' programmatic organizational needs and consulting in a variety of technical construction project aspects including but not limited to: LEED consulting, BIM coordination, and project management on large scale commercial, municipal, and institutional projects. She is also considered an industry expert in BIM, 3D modeling, 360 imaging, 3D laser scanning hardware and software training.
Vada holds a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) ’06, from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an Associate Degree in Architectural Technology (AA) ’97, from the College of DuPage. She became Associate member of AIA in ’09 and licensed architect in 2014, and currently holds AIA and NCARB accreditations.
Chelsea Jackson-Greene
SECRETARY | MARKETING@I-NOMA.ORG
Chelsea Jackson-Greene, NCIDQ, NOMA, is an Interior Designer II 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 holds a Certificate from New England College in Creative Placemaking and is currently pursuing additional accreditation in both LEED and WELL. Chelsea’s areas of interest include user and community health and wellbeing, social justice, design equity and cultural competency and asset preservation.
Marcus Hebron
Treasurer | finance@i-noma.org
Marcus Hebron, NOMA, Associate AIA, is a design professional whose passion for community engagement and service of others, extends beyond the bounds of Architecture. Native to South Carolina, Marcus received his B.A. in Architecture from Clemson University, before moving to Chicago in 2015 to pursue his Master of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Marcus has been an active member of I-NOMA since 2022 and has quickly jumped into mentor leadership roles in both Design Build and Summer Camp. Most recently, Marcus has been elected as the 2023-2024 Treasury Board Member for I-NOMA, working to raise the awareness of sponsorship opportunities, while managing the fiscal health of the organization.
In his professional role, Marcus works primarily in healthcare design, ranging from Immediate Care Clinics, Cancer & Children’s Hospitals across the country. Community outreach is an integral part of the healthcare design process, and you will often find him at various client volunteering events. Heis also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. which continues the mission of service to all. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys travel, hiking, and is an avid fan of NCAA football.
Krystofer Pinnock
PARLIAMENTARIAN | parliamentarian@i-noma.org
Krystofer Pinnock, NOMA, Associate AIA, LEED AP BD+ C, is an artist and creative hailing from Maryland, who possesses a deep passion for elevating the community and serving others. Upon receiving his MArch degree from Temple University, he went on to gain work experience at various small firms on the east coast. While studying abroad in grad school, Krystofer also worked at a firm in Tokyo, where he gained invaluable exposure to how architecture is practiced outside of the country. Through his travels and life experiences, Krystofer finds that architecture has the ability to not only shape our environment but to magnify the lives of those who experience it, in a positive way.
Currently, Krystofer works as a designer in Perkins&Will’s K-12 practice. Possessing the opportunity to work on high school and elementary school projects, has provided him with the rewarding opportunity of helping enhance the lives and learning environment’s of our next generation. As a LEED Accredited Professional, Krystofer believes that innovative and sustainable design approaches are paramount to the designs of the future. With an undergraduate degree in Historic Preservation, he regards the maintenance and upkeep of our built environment as of high importance in order to retain and tell the stories of our world’s culture and history.
As an active member of I-NOMA, Krystofer seeks to uplift and expose minority groups to the architecture profession. Being able to encourage and aid others, while standing as a successful representative of diversity in this field is something he finds extremely fulfilling. With a deep passion for motivating the youth, Krystofer also enjoys volunteering with programs such as the ACE Mentorship program and Chicago Mobile Makers Youth Studio. Being able to foster and bring out skills in others is something he holds dear and he takes pride in doing. Krystofer firmly believes that he can help impact his community and the world through architecture while helping aid and motivate others along the way.
Jeffrey Ose Ohuaregbe
Student Liaison | studentliaison@i-noma.org
Jeffrey Ose Ohuaregbe (O.J.), NOMA, AIA is an M.Arch candidate at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He graduated from the University of Benin, Nigeria with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. O.J. believes in the interdisciplinary nature of architecture leaning on concepts from Vitruvius to Da Vinci. He experiments with a variety of disciplines ranging from design, fashion, graphics, robotics, and art then culminates these experiences into his design approach. As a polymath, O.J. appreciates the interconnectivity of every field and is continually curious and willing to learn new techniques and fields.
As an active member and student liaison of I-NOMA, O.J. aims to provide seamless interaction between the professional and student bodies. By relaying information and resources to the students as well as organizing networking events, O.J. seeks to create an easy transition for minority students into the professional architecture world. Being positioned to serve and effectuate change in his generation is an opportunity he utmostly cherishes and looks forward to a time of unified human equity and interaction with self and nature.
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
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.