It’s that time of year again! We have 3 open positions on our Board of Directors. All members in good standing will receive an exclusive link to their voting ballot on November 4th via email. If you do not receive this email, reach out to us at info@aiaeb.org. Please review our list of candidates below before casting your vote!
Our new slate of board members will be announced at our annual Member Appreciation Party on December 3rd, 2026.
Candidates & Statements
Mark Donahue, AIA
Nominee’s Statement: For 35 years I’ve practiced architecture across a wide variety of firms and project types, and I now help lead one of the Bay Area’s fastest-growing practices: Lowney Architecture. It began as a studio of one and has grown to 50 architects in three offices. That journey has given me a practical understanding of what it takes to win work, deliver it well, and keep a firm strong.
I currently lead work across all types of housing, with a particular interest in innovative construction methods that help good design get built in a challenging financial environment. My projects in Altadena have shown me firsthand how fire vulnerability affects communities and what it takes to rebuild resiliently, a concern that reaches across the East Bay hills.
I serve on the AIA East Bay Architectural Community on the Environment (ACOTE), chair the ULI San Francisco East Bay Events Committee, sit on my firm’s standards committee, and help shape its approach to sustainability. I have long mentored emerging professionals and continue to do so.
I also believe AI will reshape practice, and our task is to stay relevant and valued as it does.
If elected, I’ll bring this experience to help AIA East Bay connect members with the wider development community, support the next generation of architects, and prepare the profession for what’s next.
AIA Community Engagement:Â
AIA East Bay COTE committee memberÂ
Developed and coordinated the ACOTE Happy Hour focused on Resiliency following the 2025 fires in Southern California.
ULI SF East Bay Committee Chairman–looking for opportunities to co-sponsor events with AIA East Bay
Co-presenter for 2023 AIA National Convention Educational Session:Â “Modular Architecture:Â Thinking Inside the Box for Great Design”
AIA East Bay Mentor
Zachary Heineman, AIA
Nominee’s Statement: I’m an Oakland-based architect, real estate broker, and general contractor, and I run a small vertically integrated development firm, General Building Corporation dba Team Projects. Our internal projects are primarily housing in Oakland utilizing state law, including a small-lot subdivision under SB 684 and a 70-unit mass timber mid-rise under the State Density Bonus.
The latter, 2222 Carroll Street, went through by-right approval under Oakland’s S-14 overlay and is being developed as a dowel-laminated timber demonstration. It has been awarded a $300,000 USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations grant, a $124,200 California Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation grant with researchers at UC Berkeley, and a $275,000 subgrant through Mad River Mass Timber under California Jobs First’s Redwood Region RISE program.
In addition to our internal projects, we do a range of client work, from small-scale residential to larger commercial and institutional projects, including feasibility studies for the renovation of a 100-year-old hot springs hotel and the construction of the headquarters for a kids’ sports and tutoring nonprofit.
Before starting my own firm, I worked in the tech industry, as an early product designer at Pinterest and as a co-founder of a hardware startup. I have a joint degree from Yale School of Architecture and Yale School of Management (M.Arch/MBA).
I would bring the board three things.
Board experience. I’m the board treasurer of the Madrone Community Development Foundation, a board member of the Elmwood Theatre Foundation in Berkeley, and president of New Eyes, a nonprofit working to expand housing and public space.
Development background. The chapter’s plan calls for firm-focused programming and AEC partnerships. I would look at how we could bring more focus to the entitlement, financing and construction of small infill projects, for members who want to engage with that aspect of the built environment.
Mass timber focus. The last ACOTE mass timber program I could find listed was in 2020. In addition to my current focus on mass timber, I’m a Certified Passive House Designer, and I would join ACOTE to bring both mass timber and Passive House practice back to its programs.
AIA Community Engagement:Â
My AIA involvement began as a student. In 2009–2010 I was Editor-in-Chief of Crit, the journal of the American Institute of Architecture Students, and produced two issues: “Value Engineering” (Fall 2009) and “Architects Without Architecture” (Spring 2010).
I just rejoined the AIA and I am looking forward to being more involved with the East Bay chapter. I’ve also met colleagues in AIA’s national Committee on the Environment at the Passive House conference this year, and I’d like to collaborate with them more.
My friend and colleague Tyler Kobick (current AIAEB Board Treasurer) encouraged me to apply, and I look forward to the possibility of working with him and others as a member of the board.
Daniel Mason, AIA
Nominee’s Statement: It has been an absolute pleasure to serve as a Director on the AIA East Bay board over the past two years. During that time, I spearheaded a new recurring “Off the Clock” happy hour for members, actively facilitated site tours with the Design Tours committee, and worked in conjunction with the board to advance various strategic plan priorities. If elected, in my second term on the board, I anticipate taking an even more active role now that I better understand how to navigate the complexities of the organization. This includes working with the executive committee to advance some exciting new opportunities for membership that we have on the docket for 2027 and beyond.Â
For over 16 years, I have been East Bay rooted, raising a young family in North Oakland and currently working as a Senior Associate at Pyatok Architects in Oakland where the focus is on design of housing for all.
During my professional practice journey over the past 27+ years, I have been fortunate to service project typologies from hospitality to museums and single-family to multi-family. I have hung my own shingle and worked in firms as large as sixty people. My professional interests span from high-quality design of inclusive spaces to innovation within project delivery and streamlining organizational operations.Â
Before becoming an AIAEB board member, I volunteered as a mentor for two sessions of the AIAEB 5x5x5 program and graduated from the inaugural class of mentors from the fantastic AIAEB mentor training program.Â
With my enthusiasm and passion for the East Bay design community as high as ever, I ask for your vote so that I may continue to serve you all to the best of my ability.
AIA Community Engagement:Â
Founder and Organizer, AIAEB “Off the Clock” happy hours
Active AIA EB Design Tours Committee member
AIA CA Leadership Academy graduate, class of 2025
AIAEB mentor for two sessions of the 5x5x5 program (Spring 2022 & Spring 2023)
Graduate of the inaugural class of AIAEB mentorship training program (Fall 2023)
Sayem M. A. Shah, Assoc. AIA
Nominee’s Statement: About five years ago I made the Bay Area my home and started working at Design Draw Build Architects & Builders. As a senior designer, I have taken ​several multi-family and single-family residential projects from contract to close. Two years ago, I volunteered for AIA East Bay’s Home Tours Committee (2024). Since then I have also volunteered with local Bengali ethnic organizations in the Bay Area and at weekend community events in Walnut Creek. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the communities we serve, the people we bring together, and the positive impact of our collective work. I believe now is the right time to serve the architecture community that has given me so much.
As a nominee​ for the Board of Directors, I ​bring​ ​diverse perspective and collaborative mindset, a willingness to listen​ to my peers, and a commitment to turning ideas into action.​ I want to contribute to a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive architectural community. I would be honored to serve AIA East Bay and work alongside fellow board members to advance our profession, support the next generation of architects, and promote ​ideas that make a lasting positive impact on our communities.
I respectfully ask AIA East Bay members consideration for the AIA East Bay Board of Directors for 2027-2029 term.
AIA Community Engagement:
- 202​4 Home Tours ​Committee Volunteer
- 202​4 Home Tours House Captain
- AIAEB Mentorship Program 2024, Mentee