Libertad Lauren Harris, Associate AIA, WELL AP, GGP is a BIM Manager at Stantec in Philadelphia, PA advocating for and mentoring collogues on the latest technological advances in the AEC industry.
Lauren serves as the AIA National Associates Committee 2023 Vice Chair and the AIA-NJ COTE Committee Chair where she hosts the annual East Cost Green Conference bringing International speakers to the stage to discuss solutions to our climate crisis.
Lauren graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology as an Albert Dorman Honors Scholar with a Bachelor’s of Architecture degree with a minor in Environmental and Sustainable Studies. Lauren’s research in Bio-Enabled Façade Engineering, which proposes to mitigate carbon emissions and generate biolipids for on-site energy production within the building façade, was awarded first place in the 2015 Dana Knox Research. Her work in Soft Robotics and Emerging Architectural Material appeared in Architectural Digest, January 2016 issue.
Through her continued passion for sustainable architecture, she supports local and state-wide STEAM initiatives such as the New Jersey School Board Associations’ STEAM Tank competition which showcases K-12 student inventions from aquaponic farms to tiny homes. Through this work, she hopes to inspire kids to pursue STEAM field careers, including architecture.
Raven Mills currently attends Hampton University, where she is studying architecture. An important goal of hers is to ensure she is part of diversifying the world of architects. She desires to be not only an architect, but an inspiration to other black women who want to succeed in the field. When she first began her architecture related courses, she knew she was in the right major. She discovered new levels of patience within herself, whether it was waiting for glue to dry on foam core models or finding ways to correctly center and margin axonometrics on white paper. All of what she loved as a child coincided with this profession. Growing up, Mills loved creating things. She enjoyed seeing something in mind and using the tools around her to make ideas into physical objects. As a young black woman attending a Historically Black University, she understands that she can become a role model for so many individuals like herself. Raven understands that she is able to fulfill the dreams of her younger self, which ultimately makes life worth living.
Danielle Mitchell is an incoming freshman at Cornell University. She became interested in architecture at an early age but her passion for design blossomed in tenth grade when she entered an architecture class. She attended a four-week architecture program which helped solidify in her passion. Danielle attended Cornell University’s virtual summer architecture program in which she gained an immense amount of experience and learned what it would be like to major in architecture. Danielle enjoys reading and playing tennis, both of which she plans to continue pursing at Cornell.
Mercedes Bellino graduated from City College of NY with a BS in Architecture. She studied abroad in Cuba and at the Politecnico Di Milano in Italy and completed a Master’s in Historic Preservation at Pratt Institute. She has held project management positions at NYC Housing Authority and NYC Parks and Recreation where she focused on ADA public space compliance. Her research interests include studies of sacred places, preservation of historic sites, and affordable housing design for the poor and disabled.