EQIA Executive Board
Fall 2023 → Spring 2024
President | Natalie Rose
Natalie Rose is a Master of Architecture student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she previously received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Cities. During her undergrad, she spent two years as Equity in Architecture’s Graphics Chair before graduating and becoming the Vice President of Graduates and then later, President. She was on the School of Architecture’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee during her last undergraduate year and is now working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. She is currently a designer for Potts Lang Architects where she works towards promoting sensitivity for compassionate and intersectional design. Natalie believes that equity must be at the root of every design decision and plans to carry EQiA’s values with her in her future career.
Vice President of Graduates | Ellery Susa
Ellery Susa is a second-year Master of Architecture student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, previously earning her Bachelor of Design in Architecture with a minor in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida. During her time at Florida, she served on the executive board of the American Institute of Architecture Students & the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students so she is extremely excited to bring what she has learned in those roles to Equity in Architecture this year. Ellery is very passionate about designing spaces that bring people of all cultures, ethnicities and religions together in one place such as stadiums, theaters, and mixed-use structures. On the contrary, she also enjoys the larger picture associated with architecture, as seen with urban planning, and its impact on the environment & buildings that surround us. Outside of architecture, Ellery enjoys playing and watching sports (Go Bills), taking photographs anywhere she goes, thrifting, constantly traveling to New York City, and scrolling on Nike’s website.
Vice President of Undergraduates | Swathi Kovvur
Swathi is a first-year undergraduate architecture student here at Georgia Tech. She is especially passionate about encouraging sustainability through architecture and plans to continue exploring this field in her coming years. Additionally, she is a strong advocate of cultural diversity and admires how architecture can reflect various cultures. As she continues to research these fields, she hopes to eventually make an impact in her community and increase social connectivity. Swathi is excited to work with the EQIA team and fulfill her goals as the new External PR.
Public Relations | Anna Wiles
Anna is a first year Master of Architecture student from Davidson, NC and a recent graduate of the undergraduate program at Tech. She is passionate about helping to support students through their academic and early professional journeys. As a strong supporter of mental health and equality in the architecture field, she knows that young women are the perfect people to start these conversations - which is why she loves EQiA!
Secretary | Sarah Griffith
Sarah is a third-year graduate student in the 3.5-year program. She worked as an interior design consultant in Nashville, TN before moving to Atlanta last year to pursue architecture. Through the experiences and opportunities she has had thus far, she has developed an even greater appreciation for architecture and its impact on humanity, no matter how small a project may appear. She has found herself gravitating specifically towards international projects that promote communal sustainability, the use of local materials, farming, and the empowerment of education in impoverished communities that oftentimes seem overlooked. Architecture should be meaningful and all-inclusive, and Sarah believes EQiA’s values and objectives solidify this notion.
Treasurer | Spandana Grandhi
Spandana is a third year undergraduate architecture student from Cincinnati, Ohio. She is passionate about the intersection of sustainability and design and is pursuing a minor in Sustainable Cities. From her time at Tech she has become interested in GIS, architecture, and sustainability and hopes to incorporate all these aspects into her future endeavors. Spandana is committed to making architecture a more inclusive and equitable space and hopes to make a positive impact on campus with EQiA this year.
Marketing Chair | Maya Assaad
Maya is a second year Masters of Architecture student from Lebanon. She is particularly interested in historic preservation and adaptive reuse. She strongly believes that architecture and the built environment have a unique way of capturing history and is passionate about giving everyone a voice and an opportunity to make their mark in our field. Outside of architecture, she loves biking, travelling, and has a passion for music. She even used to do competitive a capella with an on campus group, for which she as the Social Media Chair! Her previous experience is what makes her so excited to be the Marketing Chair for EQIA!
Graphics | Julia Leftwich
Julia Leftwich is a Master of Architecture student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she previously received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a certificate in Sustainable Architecture. She spent her final year of undergrad as EQiA's Graphics co-chair, and is excited to continue this role in grad school. Julia is passionate about the future of the profession and practice of architecture and how we can work towards a more sustainable and inclusive built environment. Outside of architecture, she loves to run and bake!
Faculty Advisor | Julie Kim
Julie Ju-Youn Kim RA AIA is the Associate Chair of the School of Architecture, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and Associate Professor with tenure at Georgia Institute of Technology. She is also the founder and principal of c2architecturestudio, an award-winning architectural practice. At c2architecturestudio, Julie searches for opportunities where academic research and collaboration can inform her professional efforts. As an educator and practitioner, Julie is committed to broadening the platform and audience of architecture by building bridges and fostering connections between the academic and professional studios. Julie has been the faculty adviser for Women in Architecture and now Equity in Architecture since 2015.