Mara is an architect with more than 20 years of experience in sustainability, urban planning, research, and teaching. Her approach leverages deep expertise in sustainable design, including energy, water, materials, and human health and wellbeing. With extensive knowledge of LEED rating systems, she is also Living Future Accredited (LFA), a member of the WELL faculty, and a Fitwell ambassador. Mara’s design solutions are always two-pronged: creating places that make people healthier and happier and providing strategies that build a healthier environment.
Before joining DIALOG, Mara served as a Principal and Sustainable Design Leader with a global design firm. Her work experience includes large, complex projects for clients such as the San Francisco International Airport, the University of Michigan, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles County, and Humber River Regional Hospital. An accomplished facilitator, Mara is also a public speaker, published author, and an online faculty member of the Boston Architectural College Sustainable Design Institute. There, she teaches the Green Building and Health and Sustainable Design of Healthcare Facilities courses.
Where do you find inspiration?
In nature. If I get stuck or frustrated, I head outdoors.
What’s your favourite mode of transportation?
I’m an equal opportunity transportation nerd: biking, walking, transit (bus/train/ferry/cable car/incline), or driving my electric car.
What’s in your office snack drawer?
Trail mix, granola bars, crackers, and an earthquake emergency kit.
What’s one quote you live by?
“If not you, who? If not now, when?” (Hillel)
Where’s your happy place?
Camping on a beach or in a redwood forest.
Master of Architecture; Master of City and Regional Planning
University of California Berkeley
Bachelor of Arts, Architecture
Washington University
