August 27, 2025

AIA Seattle BOD

Burk

Ovsak

Dahlquist

Falcetti

American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle ushers in a new slate of directors on Sept. 1. With 11 directors, the team will be led by officers Melissa Falcetti, Kirsten Dahlquist, Laura Ovsak and Sarah Burk.

Falcetti will serve as president, bringing her experience from a small construction defects/owner's representative firm to one of the largest design firms in the world. Falcetti has two bachelor's degrees from Scripps College and a Master of Architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Falcetti is a licensed architect in Washington, a Certified Construction Specifier, and has passed the CSI's CDT exam.

Dahlquist, who will serve as president-elect, is an associate at Rice Fergus Miller and brings 17 years of architectural expertise to her role as a design architect. Dahlquist has a diverse portfolio including community-centric projects like food banks, tribal wellness facilities, and cultural gathering centers, and founded the firm's internal justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion committee.

Ovsak is an architect working as a project manager with GLY Construction and joins the slate of AIA Seattle officers as treasurer. She has a combined 11 years of experience in architecture/design and construction management. Ovsak holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University).

Burk will serve as secretary in the upcoming term. Burk is an architect focusing her career on enhancing communal spaces, especially libraries and community designs. Burk frequently volunteers with the AIA and Seattle Design Festival. Burk holds a certification in Safety Assessment Program which addresses safety and resilience of the built environment.

The full slate of directors can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/AIASeaBOD2025