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Our Architectural Visionaries

Meet The Faces Behind the Designs

AIA Illinois thrives thanks to the dedication and expertise of our diverse team. Championing innovation and design excellence, our AIA board leadership and dynamic staff embody our commitment to shaping impactful policies and fostering creative collaboration within the architectural community.

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Board Leadership

2025 President

Jeremy Gentile, Assoc. AIA

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Jeremy Gentile, Assoc. AIA is skilled in managing collaboration and coordination between key stakeholders, consultant teams and end users to deliver optimum results on concurrent projects. A successful design leader that enjoys tackling complex challenges and delivering innovative and thoughtful solutions that are on brand, on budget, and on time. Gentile has served with AIA Illinois as 2022 At-Large Director, 2023 Second VP / Secretary, and Founding Chair for Emerging Professionals Network.

2025 President-Elect | Treasurer

Megan Harte, AIA

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Megan is an architect, planner and designer who specializes in the design of community-focused spaces. Her work often consists of complex renovations of institutional and federally owned buildings, and her design approach promotes collaboration, inclusiveness, and future-state thinking. Her final designs are thoughtful and delights in the unanticipated. As an AIA leader, Megan has served as AIA Illinois- Northeast Director and was the 2019 AIA Northeast Illinois President. Her involvement in the AIA since 2006 has fostered several connections and experiences throughout the State, including participation in the inaugural AIA Bridge Program in 2009. Since 2012, Megan has co-managed 845 Design Group, a planning and architecture practice in La Grange, Illinois. Her firm, founded with her college classmate, has been recognized by regional business associations and has earned a reputation for humanizing the design process.

2025 Secretary

Molly Rademacher, AIA

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Molly is a creative designer with a strong background in material exploration with aptitude for team, client and community collaboration allowing holistic solutions which address brand, function and environment of space. Molly has been an advocate for emerging professionals in the architectural profession serving in many roles including AIA Illinois Student Director, Regional Associate Director on the National Associates Committee and a founding member and Chair of the AIA Illinois Emerging Professionals Network.

2025 Past President

Jeff Jeno, AIA

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Jeff Jeno works with Moody Nolan Architects, as part of the firm’s Chicago Regional Office leadership group. As an AIA member for over 25 years, Jeff has devoted time to serve AIA Chicago’s Regional & Urban Design Knowledge Community in various leadership roles, volunteered to work with and mentor aspiring designers, taught college courses focused on design and construction – and served as a Chicago Chapter Director to the AIA Illinois Board. As a past participant of the AIA Illinois Leadership Institute program, Jeff is honored to contribute service back to the Illinois Chapter and membership – and will work to advocate for and support emerging and experienced professionals, and issues important to our communities and region.

Directors & Representatives

At-Large Director

Jen Chaplin
State of Play Hospitality

At-Large Director

Susan Heinking, FAIA
Pepper Construction Group

Chicago Director

Robert Natke, AIA
UrbanWorks

Chicago Director

Cesar Santoy, AIA
Studio ARQ

Chicago Director

Alzira Maldonado Protsishin, AIA
EXP

Northeast Director

Jeffrey F. Minor, AIA
ARCON Associates

Eastern Director

Jose Pareja, AIA
JP Architects, Ltd.

Prairie Director

Karen Shoup, AIA
Illinois Department of Transportation

State & Territorial Associate Representative

Rachel Wiesbrock, Assoc. AIA
LCM Architects

Young Architect Representative

Raquel Guzman Geara, AIA
SmithGroup

Early Professionals Director

William Basco, Assoc. AIA
EXP

2024-26 Strategic Counselor

Leanne Meyer-Smith, AIA
DLR Group

Student Director

Anna Karel, Assoc. AIAS

Illinois Rep on AIA College of Fellows

Drew Deering, FAIA
John Syvertsen, FAIA

Illinois Region AXP Advisor

Jon McNeely, AIA

Association Staff

Executive Vice President

Eric Klinner, CAE

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Eric Klinner, CAE previously served as the Managing Director of AIA Illinois, where he has worked since 2006. He was also the Executive Director of AIA Prairie Illinois since 2017, where he helped lead a successful formation and transition to their own chapter. He currently serves on the American Institute of Architects Disaster Assistance Committee and has previously served on the Association Forum Certified Association Executive (CAE) Working Group to help fellow executives earn their CAE.

Associate Director

Mary Young

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Born and raised in Springfield, IL, Mary joined AIA Illinois in 2001 and previously served as Program Director until 2023, overseeing events and meeting planning, continuing education program development, answering questions about Mandatory Continuing Education (CE requirements, accessing transcripts, resources), as well as the development and implementation of the annual Honor Awards program. In addition to ongoing CE and event planning duties, she facilitates downstate Fellowship recruitment, assistance with program fundraising/sponsorship, membership services, and office administration. She has a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from the University of Illinois Springfield. Mary also serves as the Prairie Chapter Executive Director.

Alliances & Development Manager

Lydia Brahler

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Lydia Brahler is a young professional with expertise in fundraising and partnership management. Born and raised in Springfield, IL, Lydia earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Psychology, with a minor in Women and Gender Studies, from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Lydia leverages her expertise to drive impactful collaborations, ensuring strategic alignment and measurable results.

Events & Education Manager

Fran Williams

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Fran Williams joined AIA Illinois in 2025 as an experienced professional specializing in serving association membership and higher education alumni. Throughout her career, Fran has dedicated herself to fostering meaningful connections through strategic engagement at esteemed institutions such as the Georgia Bankers Association, Columbia Law School, and the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. At AIA Illinois, she manages member events and continuing education opportunities. Fran holds a B.S. from Florida State University and completed the Conference & Meeting Management Certificate Program through the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education.

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