2026 Slate of Electors

The VANOMA Nominations Committee has confirmed the 2026 Slate of Electors for the upcoming board election that will take place virtually from September 15th through September 30th, 2026. The following esteemed candidates will be on the ballot for 2026. Please take a moment to learn more about their passions and vision prior to submitting your vote.

Voting privileges are available to all active (fully paid) VANOMA members. You will receive a link via email to cast your ballot. Results will be announced at on September 30th.

VICE PRESIDENT

One open position | One candidate

Brian Gore

SECRETARY

One open position | No candidates

Write-in candidates accepted.

TREASURER

One open position | One candidate

Kelly Lersch

PARLIAMENTARIAN

One open position | One candidate

Dr. Daya Irene Taylor is a registered architect in the State of Florida. She received a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from Florida A&M University. She also earned a Master of Architecture Degree from Clemson University. Her career in architecture and design education has included serving as National Secretary of the National Organization of Minority Architects, appointment to Interim Dean, and also to Architecture Department Head of the Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science at Tuskegee University. While residing in Alabama, Dr. Taylor earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Law from Alabama State University. Currently, she is the Department Chairperson at Hampton University Department of Architecture, an Associate Professor of Architecture, and a member of the State Board of the American Institute of Architects, Virginia (AIAVA).

Dr. Taylor has been a student of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised for over 30 years. She is adept in understanding documents and parliamentary order. She is a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians as well as the current President of the Magic in Motion Parliamentary Unit. Additionally, she serves as the current parliamentarian for the Pink Pearl Foundation Board. 

AT-LARGE DIRECTOR

Four open positions | Four candidates

Sidney Griffin requests your consideration for the position of At-Large Director with the VANOMA board for the 2026-2027 term. This 1-year appointment would be complimented by his AIA Central Virginia Presidency (2025) where he capitalized on opportunities to synergize efforts to support our architecture community. At the conclusion of the At-Large Director term, Sidney's intent is to pursue other positions on the VANOMA board in future nomination seasons.

In the At-Large Director role, Sidney intends to serve at the direction of the President to bring awareness of our profession to a diverse public and encourage and support minority students in pursuit of architecture as a profession. His past contributions to VANOMA, including participating in the last 5 years of Project Pipeline and volunteering time to Hampton University for presentations and portfolio review.  Sidney has worked in architecture for 25+ years in a myriad of roles and responsibilities, including 22 years alongside Kim Thompson Smith at VMDO where he worked his way to the position of Director of Digital Technology. Sidney's current occupation as BIM Project Manager for the University of Virginia's Facilities Management department has helped him to round out his perspective of the architecture profession from service to served and to identify where organizations like VANOMA can offer resources, guidance, and support.  

Sidney considers current, past, and future board members dear colleagues and friends and he looks forward to serving the NOMA community with all of you.

Sangyoon Park is a Korean-American healthcare architect working and living in Alexandria, VA with a passion for promoting professional development and diversity both within and outside her office, HCM. Sangyoon has lived in Virginia her whole life, including undergraduate at UVA and graduate school at VT (WAAC). Over the past three years, she has joined VANOMA and helped push through events and initiatives. For example, she partnered with AIA NOVA to organize a joint Spring Social at the WAAC in Alexandria in 2023. Over the past year as part of VANOMA's Professional Development Committee, Sangyoon co-chaired a presentation called "Charting Your Course" that was live in all 5 regions of Virginia for a shared virtual and in-person ambitious event. In the coming year, she hopes to do even more to help VANOMA grow and give members the tools to flourish on their professional journeys.

Starting in NOMAS as an undergraduate at UVA, Sangyoon found a passion for equity early. Through her previous two firms she has helped with forming DEI groups and executing initiatives. Sangyoon also helped form an office group called “Emerge” for emerging professionals across the firm. They prepared skills learning presentations such as communication, conducted surveys, and prepared a licensure and certification presentation that also spun off into several study groups - of which she led a LEED & WELL AP study group covering each chapter or concept in chunks. Sangyoon believes she could help bring the right resources to VANOMA members who are on the path to licensure and help promote what is possible. Her own journey to licensure has helped shape the architect she is and put her on a path to success. Sangyoon wishes to help similarly push others up in the field of architecture and design.

Eliezer Lee

Ananth Jayaraj (AJ)

Thank you for reading more about the VANOMA 2026 Slate of Electors for the board election that will take place virtually from September 15th through September 30th, 2026. Voting privileges are available to all active (fully paid) VANOMA members. You will receive a link via email to cast your ballot. Results will be announced on September 30th.

More information about elections results coming soon!

Learn more about NOMA

Learn more about our current board.