Stephanie is an architect and operations leader with over 30 years of global experience, blending design expertise with strategic business management. Based in the MENA region for over a decade, she has played a key role in delivering major developments, leading multidisciplinary teams, optimizing operations, and mentoring professionals.
Currently, she leads the Architecture and Planning group for GHD in the UAE, overseeing the team across offices and managing projects in a multitude of sectors. She specializes in workflow optimization, process improvement, and cross-discipline coordination, ensuring seamless collaboration between design and technical teams. Her expertise in budgeting, risk management, and resource allocation supports the efficient execution of large-scale projects while maintaining quality and profitability.
An advocate for the architecture profession, Stephanie has been an active AIA member, serving as AIA Middle East President in 2022 and currently as the 2025 Regional Director. She also serves as the 2025-2026 Secretary on the AIA International Board of Directors and is the 2026 Chair of the Global Practice Committee.
Courses
Working Effectively with International Design Teams
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 | 8-9am ET
This program explores how to lead and collaborate effectively across borders in global design practices. Panelists will discuss how they navigated complex design workflows between teams on different continents, drawing from real-world case studies in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Topics include cultural expectations, communication strategies, time zone coordination, and digital tools that enable successful delivery. The audience will leave with practical frameworks and lessons learned from both sides of the collaboration.