Meet the AEC allied professionals: BD+C 40 Under 40 class of 2025

Travis Adams
Former Chief Operating Officer
Guardian Capital
San Diego, Calif.

AGE: 35

EDUCATION             
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, University of Connecticut

ACCOMPLISHMENTS             
Led the development and investment of nearly 5,000 multifamily units totaling over $1.4 billion in real estate values across the western United States

Promoted to Chief Operating Officer at the age of 34

EXTRACURRICULAR             
Chair of Affordable Housing & Homelessness at the California Apartment Association (CAA)

Mentors MSRE students at the University of San Diego

Regular panel speaker

OFF THE CLOCK             
Earned his black belt in Taekwondo at the age of 12

Has the lifelong niche hobby of horology (the art of making clocks and watches) and only owns one watch—a vintage, 1989 Rolex Datejust that he purchased on his 30th birthday

SECRET LIFE             
His ancestor, John Howland, arrived to the United States on the Mayflower in 1620

WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER OR BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?             
"I've been very fortunate in that I’ve received an abundance of advice and mentorship over the years. Although there is no single 'best' piece of career advice, one principle that always stood out to me is precedent. Start strong so you can finish stronger."

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?             
"Ironically, the single biggest professional achievement of my career has been the personal impact that I’ve been able to have on my teams. In today’s world, it is more important than ever to step back, be empathetic and connect with others on a deep level. Work doesn’t just have to be a paycheck. With the right leadership and environment, you can balance the business and personal to do better. More depth, more cohesion and more fulfillment in a shallower and shallower world."

Aditi Agarwal, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Living Future Accreditation
Building Embodied Carbon Specialist
California Air Resources Board
San Francisco, Calif.

AGE: 37

EDUCATION             
Master in Design Studies, Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Master of Architecture, Centre of Environmental Planning and Technology University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS             
During her three years at Atelier Ten as an environmental designer, Aditi led 14 sustainably focused projects totaling nearly $4 million in revenue

In her role at CARB, she supports the development of a lifecycle assessment framework aimed at reducing the carbon intensity of construction materials by 40% by 2035. Her research centers on thermal comfort in the context of rising temperatures, especially in affordable housing, highlighting the public health implications of climate-resilient architecture

Her professional excellence has twice earned her the O-1A American visa reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences

EXTRACURRICULAR             
AIA California Climate Action Advocacy Subcommittee

International Living Future Institute’s Materials Health Technical Advisory Group (2023–2024)

Has taught over 200 students in India, mentored students at Harvard and other institutions, and volunteered extensively, including designing courses for public education on decarbonization and engaging children in urban design through Boston schools

OFF THE CLOCK             
Plays competitive basketball, and recreational badminton and table tennis. She is learning lawn tennis, with weekly training

She frequently hikes across California and is training for a longer trek in Utah

"I discovered bread-making in 2023 and have been making my own bread weekly ever since."

SECRET LIFE             
Aditi’s grandfather was a freedom fighter in colonial India and a lifelong advocate for social justice

WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER OR BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?             
"Channel unapologetic confidence and self-assurance, the kind often seen in those who walk into any room believing they belong there. Confidence is about trusting the value of your perspective, especially when it’s shaped by a different lens."

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?             
"My contribution to educating young minds curious about design that spans across scales, geographies, and pedagogies, whether that be crafting paper models of their ideal city with Boston public school kindergartners, or building life-sized mud brick arches to explain structural forces to first-year undergraduate students in my hometown of Pune."

Jing Jiao
Vice President, COO/CFO - Real Estate
Reef Capital Partners
Park City, Utah

AGE: 34

EDUCATION             
Bachelor of Arts, Government, Psychology, Dartmouth College

ACCOMPLISHMENTS             
Specializes in private equity and infrastructure development

Leads complex real estate development projects in Park City, including properties at Marcella at Deer Valley, Jordanelle Ridge, and the city's Main Street district

As Associate Director with The Carlyle Group, she led the execution of the $9.5 billion JFK Terminal One Redevelopment Project, the largest privately financed infrastructure deal in U.S. history. Her work on the project spanned renegotiating lease terms with the Port Authority, restructuring capital contributions to keep airline tenants solvent, and managing a $300 million-plus development budget

EXTRACURRICULAR             
Mentors junior analysts and associates in the infrastructure and finance sectors on how to navigate technical modeling and career advancement

Volunteers with several youth leadership organizations in Utah and coaches high school students on preparing college applications and for scholarship interviews

Advocate for diversity in finance; participates in informal networks that connect women and minorities entering traditionally underrepresented fields

SECRET LIFE             
First-generation American who is fluent in Mandarin

WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER OR BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
"One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received came from a former manager who told me, 'No problem is too big to block and tackle.' That perspective has shaped the way I approach challenges throughout my career. Whether it’s a billion-dollar transaction or the day-to-day hurdles of development, I’ve learned that if you break down any problem into smaller parts, you can move through it with focus and persistence."

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?
"The highlight of my career so far has been bringing the $9.5 billion JFK Terminal One redevelopment project to financial close. Working in project finance within investment banking gave me the skills to manage complex, high-stakes deals, but seeing that project move forward was a proud moment, one that reminded me of the impact that disciplined teamwork and creative problem-solving can have."

Emily McGee, Associate AIA, EDAC, LEED GA, MPH, WELL AP
Senior Director of Planning
Meadows & Ohly
Washington, D.C.

AGE: 36

EDUCATION             
Master of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University

Master of Architecture + Health, Clemson University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS             
At HOK, she rose through the ranks after five years, becoming an Associate and one of the youngest shareholders in the firm. She led transformative healthcare projects for underserved communities. She also was lead designer for the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center in Washington D.C.

Co-founded HOK Impact, that firm’s pro bono and social impact initiative

Has authored more than 15 thought leadership articles

Has 32 awards for project design and industry excellence

EXTRACURRICULAR             
Recently selected as a Bloomberg American Health Initiatives Fellow at Johns Hopkins University

2025 Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) Fellowships and Scholarship Committee

2025 AIA|AAH Fellowships & Scholarship NextGen Awards Jurist

Co-Communications Chair for Women in Healthcare DC

Her Master’s thesis research took her on a fellowship to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she proposed embedding affordable primary care clinics into existing storefronts

OFF THE CLOCK             
Archeological Surveying: For the past eight summers, Emily has held an appointment as a site surveyor at the Archaeological Site of Gordion (University of Pennsylvania), dating back to 2700 B.C.E. Using advanced spatial analysis and drone imaging, she creates 3D models of trench findings and conducts ArchGIS site surveys

Has backpacked through 30 countries

She and her husband welcomed their first son, Mikey, in April

SECRET LIFE             
As a trained artist, Emily interprets the world through sketches and watercolors that capture the essence of communities, cultures, and health she has encountered

Her grandfather, an engineer, was an original "frogman" in the U.S. Navy's Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) during World War II.

WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER OR BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?             
Author John Cary's statement profoundly shaped Emily’s career: "Just as health is to the practice of medicine or justice is to the practice of law, dignity may be to the burgeoning field of architecture." That idea became her professional mission: to design with a focus on dignity, equity, and health. “Some of my most rewarding experiences have been acting as an ambassador, advocating for these principles in broader contexts like global and public health."

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?             
"My greatest professional achievement is proving that a non-traditional approach can lead to a seat at the table and drive meaningful change."

Lena Ohta, LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP Homes, LEED AP EBOM, CEA, CRM
Global Sustainability Program Manager, Infrastructure
Meta
Torrance, Calif.

AGE: 39

EDUCATION             
Bachelor of Science, Life Science, Pennsylvania State University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS             
Has managed more than 100 green building projects totaling over 30 million sf across the globe.

Leads sustainability efforts for Meta’s global infrastructure design and construction portfolio. 

Led the development of innovations in net zero, water positive, biodiversity, climate risk and resilience, responsible supply chain, and health and well-being.

Elected the youngest chair of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Steering Committee and led the approval of the LEED v5 rating system.

EXTRACURRICULAR             
LEED Steering Committee Chair, USGBC

Past Chair, Technical Advisory Group IEQ, USGBC

Volunteer, Mentor, ACE Mentor Program 

OFF THE CLOCK             
Enjoys restoring older homes and designing new spaces. "After spending most of the day behind a desk, it is incredibly satisfying to learn practical skills, put in some elbow grease, and physically improve the place I call home."

SECRET LIFE             
"I love training horses. In college, I served as captain of our equestrian team, which placed second in the United States. I also volunteer at horse rescues, helping to rehabilitate horses and ponies for adoption."

WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER OR BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?             
"Learn to harness collaborative intelligence—the ability of a group to think, create, and solve problems more effectively together than any individual could alone. Everyone has strengths, weaknesses, superpowers, blind spots, and unconscious biases—we are all human. To reach the best possible solution, seek out the most talented people you can collaborate with—those who inspire you and bring qualified, diverse perspectives to the table. Invite those who respectfully challenge you to think differently and be better. Be intellectually humble, have the confidence to embrace what you don’t know, and own your mistakes. These perspectives will pressure-test ideas, add durability, and deepen expertise. You will need both advocates and canaries to drive real change."

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?             
"Leading Meta’s diverse and ambitious infrastructure sustainability program. At Meta, our culture focuses on impact, and we have significant control as the owner, developer, and operator, so we can drive innovation at scale. We collaborate with top industry experts to tackle today’s biggest challenges and pioneer new sustainability solutions."

Kostiantyn Solomka
CEO and Founder
Diasphere
Austin, Texas

AGE: 33

EDUCATION             
Master of Science, Civil Engineering, Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy

ACCOMPLISHMENTS             
Launched Diasphere, a BIM VDC services company, in 2020. Grew it from a three-person startup to a 40-plus specialist team operating across the U.S. and U.K. Saw 900% revenue growth in less than three years

Oversaw on-site BIM/VDC coordination for the Samsung Semiconductor Plant in Taylor, Texas. Achieved 95% clash-free installation and reduced rework by 30%

At SJS VDC Electric, developed a 30-person BIM/VDC department in less than 12 months; increased team productivity by 35%

Key projects: San Francisco International Airport Terminal 1C redevelopment; Salt Lake City International Airport; The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

EXTRACURRICULAR             
Fellow Member, UA BIM Cluster, Ukraine. "Organized four educational sessions on BIM and virtual construction for MEP Trades, impacting over 200 students and young professionals."

Member, Association of General Contractors of America

Judge (2025), Globee Awards for Technology

OFF THE CLOCK             
Avid runner, motorcyclist, golfer

SECRET LIFE             
At 18, he led the construction of his parents' home, planning the layout, coordinating trades, and spending weekends on site doing hands-on work. "It was a crash course in real-world building and the project I’m most personally proud of."

WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER OR BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?             
“'Build the system, not the hero. If success depends on you being in the room, you don’t have a business yet.' It hit me after a long night solving issues that should never have reached the field. I went back and rebuilt how we work: wrote simple SOPs, added QC gates before every release, embedded access/clearance rules, and set a cadence of brief model-to-field reviews with foremen. The next project ran smoother with fewer emergencies and more decisions made by the team without me. That advice matters because it scales craftsmanship. It turns one person’s standards into a repeatable operating system." 

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR?             
"Establishing Diasphere’s Texas office in 2023 and growing it into a 30+ BIM/VDC team. Building our U.S. base meant more than opening doors. I set a field-first culture and repeatable systems, so models stay aligned with on-site conditions, from access/clearances to prefab-ready details. Today the team communicates clearly, anticipates issues, and delivers with consistency, pairing business growth with better outcomes for builders."