BREAKING BARRIERS: WHAT AN ALL-FEMALE
LEADERSHIP TEAM BROUGHT TO A PROJECT
Moderator:
Laura Knauss, Architect (AIACV VP) | Lionakis
Laura Knauss, AIA, LEED AP, ALEP is a Principal and the Education Practice Leader for Lionakis, overseeing that market for its four California offices. Additionally, she sits on the AIA Central Valley’s Board of Directors as the Vice-President/President Elect as well as the AIA California’s Board of
Laura Knauss, AIA, LEED AP, ALEP is a Principal and the Education Practice Leader for Lionakis, overseeing that market for its four California offices. Additionally, she sits on the AIA Central Valley’s Board of Directors as the Vice-President/President Elect as well as the AIA California’s Board of
Panelists:
Ray Montalvo, Vice President, Real Estate and Workplace | Blackline
Ray Montalvo has 25 years of experience in the corporate real estate and workplace services sector, most recently as Vice President of Real Estate and Workplace at BlackLine. In this role, Ray leads a growing global real estate portfolio and workplace operations team, providing services and amenities to BlackLine’s offices around the world. Ray’s passion in developing the company’s culture and manifesting the brand through the workplace environment has resulted in innovative and inclusive offices around the world. Prior to BlackLine, Ray served in various roles in real estate and corporate services at numerous Silicon Valley companies, including GoPro, Walmart eCommerce, Shutterfly and Electronic Arts.
Ray Montalvo has 25 years of experience in the corporate real estate and workplace services sector, most recently as Vice President of Real Estate and Workplace at BlackLine. In this role, Ray leads a growing global real estate portfolio and workplace operations team, providing services and amenities to BlackLine’s offices around the world. Ray’s passion in developing the company’s culture and manifesting the brand through the workplace environment has resulted in innovative and inclusive offices around the world. Prior to BlackLine, Ray served in various roles in real estate and corporate services at numerous Silicon Valley companies, including GoPro, Walmart eCommerce, Shutterfly and Electronic Arts.
Maria Damas, Superintendent | Webcor Builders
Over the course of her nearly decade-long tenure at Webcor, Superintendent Maria Damas has built an exceptional project resume encompassing a wide range of market sectors including healthcare, hospitality, housing, commercial office, and tenant improvement (TI). Maria is the eldest of three and a proud bilingual (English/Spanish) first-generation college graduate with a BS in civil engineering from California State University, Chico. When she isn’t busy leading her team and managing her job site, you can find Maria volunteering with her church and spending time with her family.
Over the course of her nearly decade-long tenure at Webcor, Superintendent Maria Damas has built an exceptional project resume encompassing a wide range of market sectors including healthcare, hospitality, housing, commercial office, and tenant improvement (TI). Maria is the eldest of three and a proud bilingual (English/Spanish) first-generation college graduate with a BS in civil engineering from California State University, Chico. When she isn’t busy leading her team and managing her job site, you can find Maria volunteering with her church and spending time with her family.
Shevelle Baunach, Project Manager | JLL
Shevelle Baunach’s concierge-style project management provides her clients with the utmost care and attention to ensure their new spaces go above and beyond expectations - while staying within budget and on schedule. She is a true partner to her clients, providing guidance and consultation to bring their vision into reality. Shevelle values open and proactive communication with a track record of managing expectations and delivering on promises. Whether supporting clients’ growth, working with established real estate departments or first-time project teams, Shevelle can nimbly manage competing needs and expectations to create a space of which her clients can be proud and comfortable in for years to come.
Shevelle Baunach’s concierge-style project management provides her clients with the utmost care and attention to ensure their new spaces go above and beyond expectations - while staying within budget and on schedule. She is a true partner to her clients, providing guidance and consultation to bring their vision into reality. Shevelle values open and proactive communication with a track record of managing expectations and delivering on promises. Whether supporting clients’ growth, working with established real estate departments or first-time project teams, Shevelle can nimbly manage competing needs and expectations to create a space of which her clients can be proud and comfortable in for years to come.
Laura Wall, Interior Designer | Quezada Architecture
Laura Wall is a conceptual designer who firmly believes that great design needs even better concepts. While she has dabbled in many arenas of design, her focus is predominately commercial of all sizes. She strives to make each space as unique as her clients, playing with unusual materials, thoughtful lighting and boundary pushing furniture. When she is not busy creating interiors, she is a mother, artist, plant whisperer, David Bowie worshiper, an extroverted extrovert, and the kind of person who will cross a street just to pet a dog.
Laura Wall is a conceptual designer who firmly believes that great design needs even better concepts. While she has dabbled in many arenas of design, her focus is predominately commercial of all sizes. She strives to make each space as unique as her clients, playing with unusual materials, thoughtful lighting and boundary pushing furniture. When she is not busy creating interiors, she is a mother, artist, plant whisperer, David Bowie worshiper, an extroverted extrovert, and the kind of person who will cross a street just to pet a dog.
Robin Sedor, Director, Account Development | Inside Source
Robin has a unique and valuable perspective because she has worked on both the client and service side of the industry. She is a Certified Facilities Manager (CFM) and has more than 20 years of experience in facilities management. Her roles have primarily been in sales and sales management, where her multi-tasking, strong communication, and leadership skills have been invaluable to customers and colleagues alike. Robin’s attention to detail, work ethic, and passion for the industry are unparalleled. She has worked on large Silicon Valley projects such as BlackLine, LinkedIn, Interline, Shutterfly, Symantec, and Webcor.
Robin has a unique and valuable perspective because she has worked on both the client and service side of the industry. She is a Certified Facilities Manager (CFM) and has more than 20 years of experience in facilities management. Her roles have primarily been in sales and sales management, where her multi-tasking, strong communication, and leadership skills have been invaluable to customers and colleagues alike. Robin’s attention to detail, work ethic, and passion for the industry are unparalleled. She has worked on large Silicon Valley projects such as BlackLine, LinkedIn, Interline, Shutterfly, Symantec, and Webcor.