REAL TALK: Multidisciplinary Career Paths and Gensler Firm visit
Architecture, Interiors, Digital Experience, Brand Design, Strategy are some of the expertise at the multidisciplinary firm Gensler. Hear advice on career paths within and beyond Architecture from design professionals at Gensler. Student members of the AIASF board will moderate the panel.
Student Moderators
The Real Talk series is a platform for the student members on the AIASF board to strengthen the connection between schools and firms. Students determine the topic, prepare questions, and moderate the event. The 2026 AIASF student board members are:
Francene Gabrielle (Cheena) Bendicion, BA in Architecture, University of San Francisco
Esteban Carrasco, Assoc. AIA, BS in Architecture, San Francisco State
Ethan Garcia, B.Arch, California College of the Arts
Jeffrey Luc, B.Arch, Academy of Art University
Katherine Matsaylo, College of Marin
Julian Rayford, BA in Architecture, UC Berkeley
William Tun, AS in Architecture, City College of San Francisco
Panelists:
Stephanie Chavez, NCIDQ
Associate & Interior Designer, Gensler
Stephanie Chavez, NCIDQ, is an interior designer and Associate at Gensler in San Francisco. She brings experience in interior design and professional practice developed through work in New York, Columbus, and the San Francisco Bay Area. She earned her education at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, where she participated in the university’s Professional Practice Co-op Program and combined academic study with work experience in interior design.
Chavez holds the NCIDQ credential and is a LEED Green Associate. Her professional work reflects experience with collaborative design practice and the development of interior environments across a range of project types. In 2020, she was recognized as one of Boutique Design magazine’s BD18 honorees.
Brian Pekar
Design Strategist & Architect, Gensler
Brian is a strategist and a licensed architect Interested in healthier cities, sustainable systems, and design resources for the new wave of building practices and infrastructures. Earning an M.Archfrom the University of Michigan he graduated in the top 10% of his class and is also a FitWelAmbassador. Upon graduation he pursued his passion for design and criticality of systems as a Design Strategist with Strategy+ in San Francisco within AECOM. He subsequently joined Gensler’s Strategy practice as a Design Strategy Development fellow for 18 months to bolster his client experience and to find like minded strategists within the profession. Today he sits within Gensler San Francisco’s Higher Education studio as a resident Design Strategist completing work that crosses many practice areas and project types.
Colin Peters
Brand Strategist & Copywriter, Gensler
Collin is a strategist and writer working across Gensler’s Brand Design, Digital Experience Design, and Strategy practice areas.
He started his career as a brand strategist at a global advertising agency in New York City, using consumer research to inspire and develop global marketing campaigns. Since joining Gensler and pivoting from brand marketing to brand design, his focus has expanded to include content strategy, experience strategy, and copywriting—all sharpened through a foundational brand lens.
Collin's process illuminates clear throughlines between brand, narrative, space, and experience, and his work plays a key role in grounding and shaping transformative design
Julia Weatherspoon, AIA, NOMA
Associate & Project Architect, Gensler
Julia Weatherspoon is an architect on a mission to create more inclusive spaces within design. She has experience working on an array of architecture projects of various scales from workplace commercial interiors, aviation, community and civic design, and higher education.
Julia is committed to pushing the envelope for improvement in diversity, inclusion, and belonging within the design industry and dedicated to increasing visibility and representation in design. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects San Francisco, and the President of the San Francisco Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects and sits on the NOMA Board of Directors as the Recording Secretary. She is engaged in a variety of advocacy communities in the Bay Area and sits on various committees including AIASF Equity x Design, Mentorship, Professional Practice.
Julia is a champion for change and uses her voice to challenge people to look at design holistically and through an equity lens. Her inspiration is driven by the belief that architecture and design can do more. It has the power to change our perspective, elevate the human experience, and transform our lives. Her passion has brought her to moderate and speak on a number of panels including events for UC Berkeley, San Francisco Design Week 2018, and AIGA Pasadena 2019. She has also been featured in Architect Magazine in December 2018. Julia holds a Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Arizona.
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