TRUE NORTH MENTORSHIP

The NC NOMA True North Mentor Program is a direct benefit to NOMA members to guide you on your career journey through impactful interactions and conversations with experienced leaders in the design community. This mentorship program aims to accelerate the personal and professional development of NOMA mentees.

MEET THE MENTORS

FREDRICK DAVIS, AIA

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS | Orange County Public Schools

BIO

Fredrick is an architect, problem solver and servant leader who has embedded community engagement and advocacy into his career. He is able to leverage his skills as a designer, planner and connections within the community to provide cross-sector design solutions to make a positive impact in underserved and underrepresented neighborhoods. Fredrick has become a subject matter expert on K-12 operations with experience across the spectrum of 21st Century learning environments. Fredrick has a passion to increase the participation of minorities in the field of architecture while highlighting the rich history of HBCU Architecture programs. Fredrick currently serves as Orange County Schools district Chief Operations Officer.

VINCENT J. SPENCER, AIA

CLIENT REP, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

LECHASE CONSTUCTION | LeChase Construction

BIO

Spencer has more than 20 years of industry experience, working in project and design management roles for two Charlotte-area firms prior to joining LeChase. He holds a B.S. in architectural engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, as well as a master’s in architectural design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has a LEED AP® certification through the U.S. Green Building Council and earned the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Certified Professional distinction in 2019. Spencer is an Executive Board member of the North Carolina Chapter of The National Organization of Minority Architects, and is involved in the ACE Mentor Program of Charlotte. He is also a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Workforce Development Board.

KRISTEN M. HESS, FAIA

FOUNDER & CEO

HH ARCHITECTURE | HH Architecture

BIO

Kristen M. Hess is founder and CEO of HH Architecture, a full-service design firm focused on creating spaces that promote discovery, wellness, recreation, and civic service. Kristen's passion for sustainable design is a driving force in HH Architecture's continued growth and success, including the design of the North Carolina Agricultural Sciences Center for the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the State Farmers Market Master Plan for the Dix Park Conservancy, and the expansion and ongoing renovations of the North Carolina Zoological Park. In 2018, HH Architecture was honored with the Firm of the Year award from AIA Triangle.

A proud Gold Award recipient, Kristen began her Girl Scout career in western North Carolina and went on to serve as a troop leader and Board Member with Girl Scouts of NC Coastal Pines where she remains active today. Kristen is a devoted volunteer, as she has donated countless hours to non-profits and helps students, mentors entrepreneurs, serves as a role model to young women, and is an annual guest lecturer at the NCSU College of Design.

In 2011, Kristen was awarded the prestigious Marshall Memorial Fellowship by the German Marshall Fund of the United States and, in 2016, was honored with the Zhi-Xing China Eisenhower Fellowship. Through these affiliations, she forges connections around the world and advocates for other minority and women-owned businesses.

MITCHELL SILVER, FAICP, H. ASLA

CITY COUNCIL

PRINCIPAL

MCADAMS ENGINEERING | McAdams

BIO

Mitchell is a principal with McAdams, a land planning and design company. He provides advisory services in urban planning, parks, and public space planning. He is an award-winning planner with more than 39 years of experience and is internationally recognized for his leadership and contributions to contemporary planning issues. He is a prolific public speaker specializing in urban planning, placemaking, and implementation strategies. Before joining McAdams, Mitchell served as the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation commissioner, Chief Planning Officer in Raleigh, NC, and president of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners. Mitchell is one of the nation’s most celebrated urban thinkers. He was selected to Planetizen’s list of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists in the world. In addition, he has been honored as one of the top 100 City Innovators in the world by UBM Future Cities, and the Urban Times named him one of the top international thought leaders of the built environment.

TREVOR HOLMES, ASSOC. AIA

PRACTICING PROFESSIONAL

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR

LS3P | LS3P

BIO

Trevor Holmes is a designer, researcher, and educator living in Charlotte, NC. He earned his Master’s of Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2019, and taught design studios as Teaching Fellow from 2021 to 2023. He is currently employed at LS3P’s Charlotte office where he has worked primarily in the K12 studio since 2019, focusing on the unique potential of educational facilities as cornerstones of community.

KATHRYN NICHOLSON, ASSOC. AIA

PRACTICING PROFESSIONAL

HCM | Hord Coplan Macht

BIO

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ALEXANDRIA RIOS-MARTINEZ, ASSOC. AIA

PRACTICING PROFESSIONAL

MORRIS-BERG | Morris-Berg

BIO

APPLY TO BE A MENTEE