Yolanda is the Senior Principal and owner of Hickok Cole Architects, a large commercial architecture and interiors firm located in Washington, DC. She has over 25 years of base building and interior design experience in a variety of project types from large-scale, mixed-use developments to small commercial interiors, both around the world and in the region. She is widely recognized for her leadership in the region’s business community and for her work on many award-winning projects in the commercial/corporate, government, and institutional markets.

Prior to joining Hickok Cole Architects as a partner, Ms. Cole was a partner with Arlington-based LyrixDesign, which merged with Hickok’s firm to become Hickok Cole. LyrixDesign was one of the top 25 woman-owned and interior design firms in the region. She began her career with New York-based Kohn Pederson Fox Associates (KPF), where she was a senior designer of large-scale high-rise office buildings. While with KPF, Ms. Cole served as senior designer for the 1.2-million square-foot Chifley Tower in Sydney, Australia, where she lived for two years; and the award-winning Capital Cities/ABC headquarters in New York.

For over 30 years, Barbara Mullenex has focused her career on people; an attribute that embodies the Perkins Eastman manifesto of Human by Design. Recognized by many for her unique contributions to hospitality, residential, mixed use and workplace projects, her professional legacy will be one of passion for mentorship, inclusion, growth and change. Barbara joined Perkins Eastman as a studio leader in Washington, DC in 2013 bringing with her an expertise in strategic planning, organizational strategy, talent development, and outcome based management for projects of all scales. In 2015, she joined the firm’s Board of Directors, and is now the Managing Principal in Washington, DC – Perkins Eastman’s second largest office. As a local and international leader, she is responsible for actively supporting and strengthening the firm’s mission and values through consistent communication and participation with clients, support organizations, and philanthropic associations.

Through her collaborative leadership approach, Barbara has maintained a focus on producing creative and innovative solutions for her clients. She builds inter- and intra- organization teams that effectively work together to share information, make decisions, and solve problems to achieve mutual goals. Barbara has lead the design and management of numerous high-profile projects for clients such as Marriot, WeWork WeLive, Global Holdings, and World Bank. From large, complex projects to the most intimately scaled spaces she brings clarity of vision, consistency of intent and focus on purpose.

In addition to her expansive portfolio of work, Barbara is committed to leadership through service and has been recognized for her philanthropic and community engagement. She serves on the Executive Committee and Membership Committee of the Federal City Council, is a member of the Economic Club of Washington DC, and the International Women’s Forum. In her commitment to bringing the arts into our daily discourse she has served on the Board on the National Symphony Orchestra and is currently Vice Chair of the Maryland Youth Ballet Board. She has earned service awards that include Washington Business Journal’s CEO Leadership in Philanthropy, and the Corporate Award from the March of Dimes Heroines in Technology. Guided by her passion for mentorship, Barbara has dedicated much of her career to fostering the growth of those around her. Whether participating in events such Learn From the Best with ULI Washington’s Young Leaders Group, or clearing a path for our work force’s next generation, her commitment to every individual’s personal and professional growth has made her the leader she is today.

Paola Moya is a Colombian-American entrepreneur, architect, and

creative innovator—serving as CEO and Creative Director of Moya Design

Partners (MOYA). She is widely recognized for her visionary leadership in

the areas of architecture, urban design, interiors, experiential and graphic

design, and communication strategies.

Background & Education

Born in Colombia, Paola moved to the U.S. at age 19. While supporting

her family, she completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in

Architecture at the Catholic University of America and later earned a

finance certification from Wharton’s Executive Education program.

Design & Entrepreneurial Leadership

In 2017, Paola founded Moya Design Partners to anchor design in social

purpose and innovative placemaking. As the firm’s CEO and Creative

Director, she sets strategic direction, fosters a collaborative culture, and

personally drives design outcomes across all projects.

Signature Projects & Social Impact

Paola’s portfolio includes impactful and highly visible Washington, DC

projects—like the adaptive reuse of the historic Howard Theatre, the new

Audi Field, home of the DC United soccer team, MGM National Harbor,

one of DC’s newest urban parks, Eastern Market Metro Park, Diane’s House

(affordable housing), the Downtown Day Services Center (a respite for

people experiencing homelessness), and the new DC Department of

General Services headquarters.

Recognition & Awards

Paola’s career is distinguished by numerous accolades:

• Power 100 Playmakers and Minority Business Leader of the Year by

Washington Business Journal

• Winner of the 2022 WAN Female Frontier Awards

• Her graduate thesis, honored by NOMA, was featured at the

UNsponsored World Humanitarian Summit

• Awards from AIA, NOMA, International Design Awards, and more

Erin McDannald, CEO and co-owner of Lighting Environments and its sister companies, Elevated and Environments, has guided clients throughout the entire lighting design and construction process for over two decades.

Trained as an interior designer, McDannald joined Baltimore’s New Design Light firm in the sales department in 2003 before becoming co-owner in 2009. Under her leadership, the company rebranded to Lighting Environments to reflect the company’s expansion into lighting technology offerings for all built environments. Honored as a 2022 Bisnow “Innovator of the Year” in commercial real estate, Erin is recognized as a top female leader in DC’s real estate field.

Now a pioneer for IoT (Internet of Things) integration and building and workplace management, McDannald is leading today’s workforce through powerful digital transformation with the Elevated™ app.

Elevated, a proprietary building management application, grants users unmatched access and awareness of their built environments. Elevated’s all-in-one interface supports interactive, engaging spaces and supports real estate ROI.

Environments is an IoT integrator and software development company offering full-scale adaptable solutions that support businesses from end-to-end, from energy management to health monitoring.

With every development and service, Erin McDannald and the Lighting Environments brands continue to innovate for spaces that are expertly designed, well-connected, and flexible for each user and occupant.

Santiago Manent is General Manager for Porcelanosa USA Mid-Atlantic and South East regions. With over 15 years of experience in the building materials industry, he has held roles in various states and positions within the company, gathering a holistic view of the industry. He is responsible, alongside the executive team of the Spanish manufacturer, for the growth, diversification and brand recognition the company enjoys in the U.S.

Today Porcelanosa USA operates 35 locations and employs close to 500 people in the U.S., with Charlotte, opening in 2024, being the next addition to the business units.

Santiago is originally from Spain, has and MBA from I.E. Business school in Madrid, Spain, and currently lives in Bethesda with his wife and three kids.