Executive Committee
The IDC Execuitve Committe is made up of leaders from top architecture and engineering firms. Their shared expertise and forward-thinking vision help shape IDC’s mission to create innovative tools and initiatives for the industry.
Brooke Peschel
IDC | Executive Committee Chair
CannonDesign | Chief Information Officer
A dynamic business and technology leader, Brooke Peschel is the Chair on the Executive Committee of the IDC. She is CannonDesign’s Chief Information Officer and a member of the firm’s executive team. She leads one of the most innovative design firms in the world as it works to develop a technology infrastructure and solutions that differentiate the firm each day. A catalyst for change, Brooke is deeply engaged in leading the design industry forward and keeps herself and those she works with at the leading edge of technological possibilities. She’s continually pushing what’s possible with breakthrough and emerging technologies, helping rapidly transform company cultures and capabilities.
Bob Rayes
CIO, Architect, NACD, JD, MBA, PMP
IDC | Executive Committee Member
Corgan | Principal, Chief Information Officer
As Chief Information Officer at Corgan, one of the top five global architecture and interior design firms in the nation, Bob leverages his expertise in digital transformation and cloud transitions, manages cyber security risks, facilitates business continuity and disaster recovery, and leads improvement initiatives across the firm. With more than two decades of experience leading all aspects of technology including system design, software development, process improvement, and cloud-based implementations, Bob provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative and secure information technology environment that supports the firm’s goals. Bob leads and mentors the IT Team, managing all aspects of information technology and technical support for the firm’s 900+ employees and serves on the firm-wide leadership team.
A strategic and analytical problem-solver, he is a trusted partner in navigating leading-edge technology to support operations and project development across all departments. With extensive knowledge and background in A/E/C as well as technology, Bob is instrumental in implementing the latest solutions for various firm-wide management, data processing, and communications systems that support the firm’s growth.
Bob is a registered architect in both Texas and Michigan, a licensed attorney in Texas, is certified as a Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certified, and has earned the NACD Directorship Certification® (National Association of Corporate Directors). He is also a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Passionate about learning and teaching, Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from Lawrence Technical University’s School of Architecture as well as a Masters in the School of Business and has earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of North Texas College of Law. Bob has been nominated for Dallas CIO of the Year numerous times and selected as a finalist in 2019 and 2022 for the corporate category. “Working with technology allows for continuous improvement, and I enjoy the fact that my work is never complete — every day represents an opportunity to have a positive impact on my colleagues’ professional capabilities, our firm, and ultimately on our clients’ projects.”
Dan Knowles
IDC | Executive Committee Member
Little | Chief Technology Officer
Dan is Chief Technology Officer and is responsible for the strategic direction of Little’s technology and information resources, ensuring a safe and secure environment that supports the firm’s strategies, goals and priorities. He’s a technology expert focused on security and automation. Dan has over 25 years in the AEC industry and is passionate about proactively seeking opportunities to automate processes to increase productivity and quality.
Natasha Luthra
IDC | Executive Committee Member
HKS | Chief Technology Officer
Natasha is passionate about the role technology plays in shaping all types of buildings. In her role as the Chief Technology Officer at HKS, she leads efforts to establish firmwide digital standards, integrate advanced tools, and embed innovation across practices. Her rare blend of architectural training, technological fluency and strategic foresight drives her mission to propel the AEC industry toward a more data-informed, digitally empowered future.
With deep expertise in emerging technologies, R&D and application development, she has 15 years’ experience leading technological advances at global design firms. One of her greatest strengths is identifying and demystifying technology trends to help teams anticipate what the future of design will look like and stay focused on those that can achieve true impact.
Natasha is a sought-after thought leader, having presented at the Executive Summit at Autodesk University, BILT NA, BIMForum and the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) National Convention. She has been featured in and written articles for Architect Magazine, Design Intelligence, AIA YAF Connection and AUGIWorld. In 2018, she was the Chair for Technology in Architectural Practice, the American Institute of Architects’ knowledge community focused on the intersection of technology and architecture. She is currently part of the executive committee at the CIO/CTO group of the AIA’s Large Firm Round Table.
Jeff Bailey
IDC | Executive Committee Member
HLW | Director of Digital Practice
Jeff Bailey is Director of Digital Practice at HLW, where he leads the firm’s digital practice strategy, BIM standards, computational design, and emerging technology initiatives. With nearly two decades of experience in architectural technology, he works at the intersection of design, technology, and operations to help shape the future of project delivery.
Jeff drives the development of firm-wide digital standards, AI strategy, and data-driven workflows that improve collaboration, strengthen design quality, and scale delivery across multidisciplinary teams. His work focuses on transforming emerging technologies into practical capabilities that empower designers, streamline operations, and create measurable business value.
Passionate about advancing the AEC industry, Jeff champions a pragmatic approach to innovation—building digital ecosystems that democratize technology, accelerate knowledge sharing, and enable architects and engineers to focus on what they do best: designing exceptional places.
Brian Cavanaugh
IDC | Executive Committee Member
Huitt-Zollars | Vice President & Managing Principal
Brian Cavanaugh, AIA, is a Vice President and the Managing Principal of Huitt-Zollars’ Portland office. With more than 30 years of experience, he has led the planning and design of higher education, civic, cultural, transportation, and public infrastructure projects throughout North America. His work is defined by a commitment to design excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creating places that deliver lasting value for clients and communities.
In addition to leading major projects, Brian helps guide firmwide design leadership at Huitt-Zollars. He has been instrumental in developing the firm’s Sustainability Action Plan and Design Excellence Framework, advancing an integrated approach to sustainability, design quality, and innovation across the practice.
Brian’s contributions to architecture have been recognized through numerous professional honors, including the 2025 AIA Oregon President’s Award. His work has received over 40 design awards at the local, state and national level, and he has served as an educator, lecturer, design juror, and professional leader, reflecting his longstanding commitment to advancing the profession through design, mentorship, and collaboration.
Kristen Forward
IDC | Executive Committee Member
NBBJ | Technology Futures Director
Kristen Forward is NBBJ’s Technology Futures Director, leading emerging technology strategy across a 600-person global practice. She shapes the firm’s long-range vision for how design practice evolves, advises firm leadership on technology risk, competitive positioning, and investment decisions, and drives the organizational change needed to keep the firm ahead of industry shifts. As part of that mandate, she leads NBBJ’s Data & AI strategy, setting the firm’s multi-year roadmap for AI capability and guiding its adoption, governance, and integration into everyday design practice.
Beyond NBBJ, Kristen is committed to driving transformation across the AEC industry as a whole, championing shared research, responsible AI adoption, and new models of collaboration between firms as the profession redefines itself for an AI-augmented era. She serves on the AIA AI Task Force and is a regular speaker and panelist on the future of technology in design. Kristen is also an active educator, teaching design technology, strategic foresight, and design futures, including at the University of Calgary, where she works to equip the next generation of designers to navigate an increasingly complex, tech-shaped built environment.
Kristen holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria, a Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary (Student Gold Medal), and a Master of Environmental Design focused on robotic fabrication and circular design.
Michele Stanton
IDC | Executive Committee Member
HGA | Chief Information Officer
Michele is Chief Information Officer at HGA, a nationally recognized architecture and engineering firm. She leads HGA’s enterprise technology strategy, advancing the firm’s digital practice through data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and enterprise platforms that enable design innovation and business transformation.
Partnering closely with executive leadership, Michele drives technology initiatives that advance HGA’s long-term strategy while enabling innovation for clients and communities. She leads cross-functional teams in applying data, automation, and artificial intelligence to improve business performance, enhance project delivery, and create lasting value. Throughout her career, Michele has successfully led technology modernization and business transformation initiatives that strengthen organizational capabilities and elevate both client and employee experiences.