About

Kate Aoki, AIA, is Head of Exhibition Design at the Dallas Museum of Art. With a BFA in Textile Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Architecture, Kate is fortunate to have found a career path that satisfies both her passion for fine art and the design of space. As Head of Exhibition Design, Kate designs intimate and expressive spaces in ways that engage visitors and invites them to learn more about the art they experience.

Kate spent more than a decade working in the architecture field at award-winning firms, most recently at DSGN as a Senior Associate, where she worked on a variety of projects that addressed important community needs. Kate has a long-standing relationship with the Dallas Chapter of the AIA, having served as a member of various committees, as well as in leadership roles. She is a graduate of the Emerging Leaders Program, and currently serves as VP of Programs on the Board of Directors. In addition to her work with the AIA, Kate is an active member of the Board of Directors for the Dallas Architecture Forum where she founded the Design Society committee for emerging professionals and design enthusiasts.

With over 20 years of experience, Gianna Pigford has provided a wealth of project leadership, managing the construction documentation and administration of several projects throughout the United States. Gianna received a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Mississippi State University, is a registered architect in multiple states, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a NCARB certified architect. Currently a Principal and Program Manager at Stantec in its architectural practice, Gianna brings her retail, industrial, and workplace experience to the Plano, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona offices to foster new client relationships and project opportunities while managing existing project development programs. Pigford has built a reputation for strong project delivery, design integration, sustainable design and innovative initiatives.

Pigford previously served as a Design Program Manager at Starbucks Coffee Company in the Dallas Corporate Design Studio, where she led retail store design and development in Starbucks’ South-Central Region. Prior to Starbucks, Gianna spent 13 years at Gensler Dallas working on several projects of note including: the adaptive reuse of the Dallas County Record Building; renovation of the iconic Reunion Tower in Dallas and the renovation of the US Bank Tower in Los Angeles. In addition to a strong portfolio of work, Gianna champions mentorship and advocates for architecture licensure and the advancement of women and other minorities in architecture, design, and construction professions.

Gianna is an active member of the Dallas community as well as committed to professional and community improvement on the state, national, and international levels. She redefines the essence of community outreach. She seeks out organizations that share her personal mantra “to educate, empower, and embrace”. She actively engages in these organizations’ missions and uses her strength in professional leadership to help others excel. Most recently, at the national level, Gianna has been elected to the AIA Strategic Council as a 2021-2022 At-Large Representative and appointed to the ULI national Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council and the Women’s Leadership Initiative’s Executive Committee. Locally, Gianna serves as a chair of the Urban Land Institute DFW Women’s Leadership Initiative Committee, Chair Elect of CoreNet North Texas, serves as advisor to CoreNet North Texas’ EMPOWER committee, and sits on the AIA Dallas Board of Directors as an Ex-officio Officer. Additionally, Gianna has been involved in several community and professional organizations throughout her career: DFW NOMA, Texas Society of Architects, NCARB, International Council of Shopping Centers, NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association North Texas, CREW Dallas, Dallas Chamber Young Professionals, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Girl Scouts of America North Texas, and ACE Mentors.

Gianna’s commitment to excellence, strength in professional leadership, and passion for mentorship all contributed to her being named one of Dallas Business Journal’s 40 under 40 in 2015. And in 2022, Gianna received the Texas Society of Architect’s award for Equitable Practice in Architecture in honor of John S. Chase, Jr. FAIA

Beth Brant, AIA, LEED AP BD+C is Associate Principal and Director of Sustainability with DSGN Associates. Since 2004, she has been a leader in the Green Building Industry. She has lead and over-seen over a dozen LEED projects through certification. She enjoys working with and educating other professionals on topics such as Living Building Challenge, LEED, and IgCC. Beth has been involved with the CityLab foundation, ILFI, USGBC, Texas Society of Architects, AIA Dallas and currently serves as Chair of Texas Society of Architects COTE Taskforce and Facilitator of the Living Future Collaborative North Texas.

Since joining Page in 1980, Mattia’s experience has been focused on complex, mission critical type projects, from Academic Research Institutions, Micro-Electronics Fabrication Facilities and all facility types in the Health Industry. His expertise, experience and management style has provided leadership to Page’s Design Team for many of the firm’s most complex and successful projects.

Mattia was elevated to Senior Principal in 1992, one of the youngest shareholders in Page’s 122 year history, and now serves as the firm’s President. Much of Mattia’s success has been his understanding of the dynamic nature of design in a rapidly changing environment, how a multi-disciplinary group of designers work best in an enhanced collaborative mode and his ability to corral the individual talents of various consultants and partners into a high performing team with client satisfaction as the number on driver.

Mattia’s work experience at Page prepared him with the leadership skills which have allowed him to take on leadership positions with many organizations within and outside the profession. As Page’s representative to the CEO Group of the AIA’s Large Firm Round Table (LFRT), Mattia was asked to serve as the LFRT representative to the AIA ArchiPAC in 2014. He is currently serving as the Chair of ArchiPAC’s Steering Committee through the next election cycle. In 2010, the AIA Dallas Chapter asked Mattia to serve as the architect on the City of Dallas Landmark Commission where he served as the Vice-Chair through 2019. Since 2010, Mattia has served on the Board of Governors for Downtown Dallas Inc (DDI) and in 2016 was nominated to the Board of Directors for DDI as the Secretary/Treasurer and in 2020 will serve as the Chairman of the Board. In 2016, Mattia was nominated to serve on the Dallas Center for Architecture Board of Directors.