Women in Architecture Committee Leadership

We believe in the power of connection, mentorship, and collective action.

  • Monique Lugo López, AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Associate, is a licensed architect with 29 years of experience, and is licensed to practice in both Puerto Rico and Florida.

    As the Architecture Department Head and Business Development Executive at Benítez Ramos & Associates, she spearheads the architectural department, fostering a collaborative environment for the next generation of architects.

    Monique's dedication to the profession is evident in her past role as AIA Puerto Rico Chapter President in 2022, where her visionary leadership elevated the Women in Architecture initiative and was instrumental in launching the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program.

    Currently, as Co-Chair of the AIA Puerto Rico Women in Architecture Committee, she continues to champion emerging talent and celebrate the contributions of women in architecture. Monique holds a LEED Green Associate certification and is committed to social transformation through her board service at Caras con Causa.

  • Emma Colón Muñiz, AIA, is a licensed architect and the past vice president of the American Institute of Architects, Puerto Rico Chapter.

    She currently co-chairs the Women in Architecture Committee. With extensive professional experience in architecture, project management, and facilities management, Emma has dedicated a large part of her career to healthcare and medical projects.

    She is currently an architect and project manager at the Veterans Hospital in San Juan and also a professor of Interior Design at the University of Puerto Rico, Carolina campus.

  • Mariela Bravo Pascual, AIA, earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico in 2011. She is a Partner at Manuel Bermúdez Arquitecto PSC (MBARQ), an Architecture and Urbanism firm in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    Since 2008, Mariela has held leadership roles focused on the professional development of architects, from their time as students to emerging professionals. She served as both Vice-President and President of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico’s chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). She was also a Delegate for the Architects and Landscape Architects in Training Commission of the Colegio de Arquitectos y Arquitectos Paisajistas de Puerto Rico (CAAPPR), where she developed an online platform to help emerging professionals study for the ARE exams.

    Mariela is passionate about an architect's role in a project's construction phase and has been in charge of MBARQ’s Construction Observation Department since 2014. After Hurricanes Irma and María in 2017, her work shifted to focus primarily on disaster recovery projects in Puerto Rico.

    Mariela serves as the Liaison between the Women in Architecture Committee and the AIA PR Board of Directors.

  • Marialy Pérez Rodríguez, Assoc. AIA, LEED® Green Associate, is a Senior Project Manager at V Architecture, PSC, with over 18 years of experience in architectural practice.

    Marialy is known for blending creativity, collaboration, and technical precision to lead innovative, client-centered projects. As a key member of V Architecture, she oversees the entire design process, from research and conceptual development to the successful execution of integrated architectural, interior, and graphic design solutions.

    A graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Marialy holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor in Environmental Design and Communications. Her academic background, combined with her LEED® Green Associate accreditation, demonstrates her commitment to sustainability, excellence, and impactful design. She excels at managing complex, multidisciplinary projects and is passionate about fostering strong client relationships.

    As the Communications Director for the Women in Architecture Puerto Rico Committee, Marialy champions visibility, equity, and empowerment for women in the profession. Her leadership in both practice and advocacy reflects her dedication to shaping a more inclusive and vibrant architectural community.

  • Elisa Marie Umpierre López, AIA, LEED AP+BD&C, is a licensed architect, Environmental Design Expert, and the founder of EMU ARCH Green Architecture Studio LLC.

    Elisa proudly serves as a Senior Mentorship Director for the Women in Architecture (WIA) Committee, where she uses her passion for sustainable design and leadership to empower the next generation.


  • Verónica Castro, AIA, is an Associate and Senior Architect at Marvel, with over 15 years of experience in the design and construction of hospitality, multi-family, transportation, and commercial projects. She is a registered architect who has contributed to projects of various scales, budgets, and teams across California, New York, and Puerto Rico.

    Verónica is passionate about creating well-executed projects from concept through design and construction. Her collaborative approach involves working closely with clients, consultants, and contractors to deliver projects that both the client and community can be proud of.

    As a former scholar of the AIA-PR CKLDP Program, she values mentoring emerging professionals in both the soft and hard skills needed to succeed in their architectural careers. Verónica is now a Senior Mentorship Director for the Women in Architecture Committee.


  • Sofía Capllonch Pérez, Associate AIA, is an architect in training and a licensure candidate. She is also an artist and composer. She holds both a Bachelor in Environmental Design and a Master in Architecture from the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.

    Sofía's interests include architectural theory and research, graphic design, and the intersections between art and architecture.

    She has mentored children in architecture workshops and worked as a graduate teaching assistant at the UPR's School of Architecture. In addition to working at an architecture firm, she is the guitarist for her punk band, Tapaboka.

    Sofía volunteers as the Junior Mentorship Director for the Women in Architecture Committee.

  • Neishaly Rivera, Associate AIA, is an architect in training, designer, and project coordinator at M2A Group.

    She has experience in both public and private projects, including commercial and urban planning. She has worked as a BIM Coordinator for Álvarez Díaz & Villalón, CMA, and Sustech. She has also taught Revit and BIM Coordination as a professor at the University of Puerto Rico – Carolina Campus and the Liceo de Arte y Tecnología.

    Neishaly serves as the Finance Director of the Women in Architecture Committee for AIA Puerto Rico.

  • Kiara De León Rivera, Associate AIA, is an architect in training. She holds both a Bachelor in Environmental Design and a Master in Architecture from the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.

    Kiara's work explores sustainability, bioclimatic design, and the integration of emerging technologies in architecture. She is currently a Project Architect at Manuel Bermúdez Arquitecto csp, where she helps develop construction documents and administers ongoing projects.

    Her past experience includes working as a research assistant at the UPR's FabLab, where she contributed to projects that explored the convergence of digital fabrication, parametric design, and biomaterials. She also provided guidance on digital prototyping, including laser cutting and 3D printing operations.

    Kiara serves as the Continuing Education and Website Director for the Women in Architecture Committee.

  • Zairiangely García Planas, Associate AIA, is an architect in training from Ponce, Puerto Rico. She is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.

    As a student, she contributed to several notable projects, including Casa Amparo, an architectural response to the aftermath of Hurricane María in Loíza, Puerto Rico. This project received an Honorable Mention in the Student Work category at the 2018 AIA Awards. Her thesis, From Vestiges to Memories: Resignification of the Road Worker Shelter System, was also highly acclaimed, receiving the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Award in the Student Category for Theory and Research. It also won awards for Best Project in the Urbanism category and Best Final Project from the Puerto Rico College of Architects and Landscape Architects (CAAPR).

    With experience at various architecture firms, Zairiangely has collaborated on the design and development of projects of diverse scales and programs. She currently works as an architect in training at Benitez Ramos and Associates, where she is working towards her architectural license.

    Zairiangely serves as the Research and Data Collection Director for the Women in Architecture Committee.

  • Adriana Michelle Torres Martínez, Associate AIA, is an architect in training with a Bachelor of Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. With three years of professional experience, she began her career during her third year of studies as an intern at AD&V's Maker Lab. After graduating, she joined AD&V's architecture team as a Design Staff member.

    Currently, Adriana is actively pursuing her architectural license and serves as the Administrative Director of the Women in Architecture (WIA) Committee. She is passionate about representation and equity, and is inspired to be part of a community that empowers, uplifts, and promotes leadership and growth for women in the field of architecture.

  • Valery Vega Varela, Associate AIA, is an architect in training. She holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in architecture from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.

    Valery is a dynamic and innovative professional with a passion for neuroarchitecture, tropical architecture, and heritage conservation. She is driven by the connection between humans and their environment, believing that nature is the primary architecture of our lives. Inspired by this truth, Valery strives to design spaces that not only meet functional needs but also promote human well-being.

    Her professional journey is rooted in a collaborative vision that integrates environmental, cultural, and human elements into every project. She has also served as a mentor in the summer workshops at the University of Puerto Rico, guiding new generations of future architects.

    Currently, Valery is a member of the team at Coleman-Davis Pagán Arquitectos. She is one of the administrative directors for the Women in Architecture (WIA) Committee. She firmly believes in creating architecture that harmonizes with its surroundings, celebrates our roots, and looks to the future with sensitivity and responsibility.

WIA Volunteers

  • Juan Carlos Ramos, Associate AIA, is an architectural professional and licensed Interior Designer with six years of experience in architecture and urban design.

    Currently, he is an Architectural Designer and Render Specialist at ÁD&V, where he works on commercial, mixed-use, and hospitality projects, as well as urban master plans and affordable housing initiatives.

    Juan Carlos holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture from the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. He also earned an Associate Degree in Interior Design from the University of Puerto Rico, Carolina Campus.

    In 2022, Juan Carlos was a scholar in the second class of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) of the AIA Puerto Rico. His session was honored as the most inspiring of the year by the CKLDP Class of 2023-2024, reflecting his commitment to professional growth and innovation.

    He was awarded the prestigious Benjamin Vargas Scholarship by AIA Puerto Rico for his thesis, "El Nuevo Distrito: Regeneración, Reinvención e Integración de Centros Comerciales."

    Juan Carlos volunteers as the Graphics Lead, Website & Social Media Advisor for the CKLDP-PR. He has also been instrumental in the vision and execution of the AIAPR WIA Branding since 2022.