Name: April Women in Architecture Conversation Series
Start: 2026-04-07T17:30:00-07:00
End: 2026-04-07T19:00:00-07:00
Location: Mission Audio Video

April Women in Architecture Conversation Series

Join our monthly WIA gathering as we speak with the new Architectural Historian and Ellen Kokinda, Santa Barbara City Planner!
About this Event

1 LU Pending

We hope you’ll join us for our monthly Women in Architecture gathering. This month, we will be hearing from Ellen Kokinda, Santa Barbara City Planner & previous Design Review Supervisor will be joined with Santa Barbara's new Architectural Historian.

Ellen Kokinda is an urban planner with over a decade of experience in community development, land use policy, and public engagement. She currently serves as City Planner with the City of Santa Barbara's Community Development Department, having previously served as Design Review Supervisor. In both roles, she has guided applicants through the City's permitting and design review processes and advised on how to keep projects moving forward. Ellen is currently overseeing the City’s Single Family Streamlining Project — an initiative to simplify the approval process for single-family residential projects through Zoning Ordinance and Single Family Design Board amendments, balancing greater flexibility for homeowners with Santa Barbara's tradition of quality architecture and neighborhood character. Prior to moving to the West Coast, Ellen worked with the City of Cambridge's Community Development Department, leading the development of a Net Zero Action Plan — a multi-stakeholder process that resulted in the City adopting a 25-Year roadmap toward net zero carbon emissions from building operations. Ellen holds a Master of Arts in Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning from Tufts University and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts & Design from James Madison University.

More information to come about the new Architectural Historian!

AIA Women in Architecture (WIA) is dedicated to fostering relationships among women in the design industry, supporting career growth, and increasing the visibility of women in architecture. Our group includes a diverse range of architects and allied professionals – from firm owners to recent graduates – working together to make a positive impact in our profession and community.