Chapter Officers

President – Natalie Newman, SDA

Natalie has worked in the A/E industry since 2000 and has been an SDA member since October 2002, and has worked at ECORP Consulting, Inc. for almost 5 years. She started her active member career writing ‘Member Profiles’ and other articles for the chapter newsletter, volunteers for different SDA and AIA/OC events, then joined the board and has held the positions of Corresponding Secretary, Vice-President, President and Director.

Natalie currently serves on the National Awards Committee, and she also served on the National level as the Communications Committee Chair (fka Connections Committee) and held the office of National Secretary, National President-Elect, National President and is currently a National Past President.

Natalie has attended thirteen National Conventions, four Western States Regional Conferences and three Leadership Conferences. She chaired the Host Chapter Party for the SDA National Convention in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum in 2006. She chaired the Western States Regional Conference in 2007 and in 2008, she chaired the 1st Annual Canstruction Design/Build Competition in Orange County and has been on the committee in some capacity ever since.

The best part of SDA for Natalie is “the education I have received. What I’ve learned from being a member of the SDA has enriched my career remarkably.”

Natalie’s hobbies include painting, cooking, camping, reading, and loves Game Nights! She has been married to Jason Newman for 22 years, and they love to do weekend get-away’s. Her three favorite people in the world are her beautiful children – her son Drew, her daughter Brittney, and her adorable grand-daughter Abigail.

Vice-President – Henry Levis, SDA

Henry Levis is a proud member of SDA and will serve as Vice President for 2023. Being fairly new to SDA Henry is excited to get involved with and expand our membership.

Henry is a Benefits Advisor with Relational Advisors. Relational specializes in working with white-collar entrepreneurial services firms, primarily in the A/E/C space, to find the best strategy or solution for their employee benefits. Relational was started by Mike Rankin and was brought about by the practice of creating strong long-lasting relationships with clients through exceptional service, access to premium benefits, and industry experience.

In his free time, Henry loves finding new recipes to put together, visiting his favorite restaurants, and staying fit.

Recording Secretary — Marsha Bastian, SDA

Marsha Bastian has been a member of the SDA since 2015 and a licensed insurance broker for 35 years. As an Insurance Professional, she has worked with design firms for over 25 years, specializing in Professional Liability and all lines of Business insurance for architects and engineers.  Marsha works closely with her clients to design insurance programs customized to meet their needs. She is an Assistant Vice President at Risk Strategies Company in Irvine, CA.

As a relatively new member to SDA, Marsha looks forward to working with this great group of leaders.
Risk Strategies is a specialty national insurance brokerage and risk management firm offering comprehensive risk management advice and insurance and reinsurance placement for property & casualty, employee benefits, and private client risks.   Our A/E Professional Practice Team has offices throughout the United States and works together on a consultative basis, and understands the complex risks design professionals encounter daily and offers insurance products and consultation to help our clients address the diverse exposures they encounter.

When not working, Marsha enjoys game nights with friends; traveling; and spending time with her family.

Corresponding Secretary – Connor McCulloh, SDA

Connor McCulloh is new to SDA. She works at ENVIRON as Operations. More information to follow.

Treasurer – Betsy Nickless, FSDA

Betsy Nickless, FSDA, was a co-founder of the Orange County Chapter and has filled all chapter board positions. She was the recipient of SDA’s National Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by SDA. In addition, she was in the first class of SDA Fellows in 2018.

She is the Controller with Architecture Design Collaborative, recently having joined the firm. ADC specializes in retail and residential projects nationwide and has accumulated many awards and honors. She is learning to work with people she’s never met remotely – after 30+ years in the design industry, this is a new challenge.

She served on the national Executive Committee as Treasurer, President-Elect, President, and Past President from 2011-2015. She currently chairs the national Bylaws Committee. She has also served continually as a member of Canstruction Orange County’s executive board since its inception in 2007 and hopes that the 13th Annual Canstruction competition this year won’t be virtual.

Canstruction has provided nearly $200,000 and over 400,000 pounds of food to the Orange County Food Bank since its inception.

Betsy and her husband of nearly 39 years, Steve, enjoy trying new local restaurants (especially those that are still open!), and her favorite music is contemporary Christian. She met Steve at the car races on the east coast, where she was in charge of timing and scoring, and he was doing PR work for one of the teams. They have two grown children who are both married and says the best thing that happened in 2020 was the arrival of her first grandchild, Emery Elizabeth.

Past-President – Cheryl Champagne, CDFA

Cheryl Champagne is a proud member of the SDA since 2001 and has worked in the A&E industry for over 25 years. She is the Controller for QK.

Over the years, the SDA has been an integral part of Cheryl’s professional career. The SDA programs allow her to collaborate with other professionals, learn and keep updated with current trends, and network within the A/E/C industry. She has attended National and Regional conventions and participated on the local Board, monthly seminars, and committees. Cheryl is a proud supporter of the SDA and enjoys participating in all that the SDA offers.

Director – Penny Nelson, CDFA

Penny Nelson is the Chief Financial Officer for Douglas Pancake Architects, Inc. in Irvine, California, where she has worked since 2010. Douglas Pancake Architects (DPA) is a boutique architectural practice serving the senior housing and healthcare industry across the Western United States. Penny manages the financial, accounting, human resources, contracts and administrative functions of DPA. Penny graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Finance. During her 30+ years of experience, Penny directed the financial and office management functions in manufacturing, technology and advertising firms before joining an architectural firm in 2008.

Penny finds SDA to be an invaluable source of information, education, and networking, and has formed many great friendships with members across the United States and Canada. Penny attended one SDA Western States Regional Conference, and four EDSymposium Conferences. Penny previously served the chapter one term as Corresponding Secretary, three terms as Chapter President, and one term as Chapter Past President.

Penny has been married to her husband Mike for 31 years. They have two adult children: a daughter who is 27 and a son who is 25. Penny and her husband enjoy sailing in their Harbor 20 sailboat, camping in their RV, ballroom dancing, and spending time at Disneyland.

Director – Nancy Burt, SDA

Nancy Burt spent many years in administrative positions in the architecture industry and is now the Office Administrator for a CPA firm, Lesley, Thomas, Schwarz and Postma. No matter the industry, SDA continues to provide multiple educational and networking opportunities.

Nancy feels there are many benefits to being a member of SDA. One is the ability to query members around the country on any number of topics such as insurance costs, payroll problems and employment-related issues. But the other is by far the greatest benefit and that is the local networking and group of loyal friends that have been made during her membership.

Nancy’s fifteen year involvement with SDA has included serving as Chapter President, Co-Vice President, Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary as well as other Newsletter and Conference committees.

Nancy enjoys travel (which she does not get enough of!) reading and walking. She and her husband, Kevin, have two sons.

Director – Wendy Woolsey, Emeritus, SDA

With more than 35 years in the architectural arena, Wendy Woolsey has seen many changes. She has enjoyed working for firms that have left their mark on the OC map (Ladd, Kelsey, Woodard Architects (original South Coast Repertory), Architects Pacifica Ltd. (South Coast Plaza on Bear St.) and Bassenian/Lagoni Architects (The Tides). In 2015, Wendy retired early from MCG Architecture, although she plans to continue her support of the SDA/OC Chapter.

Wendy first discovered the SDA in 1986 and credits the knowledge she gained over the years through numerous seminars and conferences, along with networking with her peers, to contributing greatly to her success. Having served as President, Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary of our Chapter, she is continuing to serve as a Director. The SDA/OC Chapter honored Wendy as the first “Member of the Year” in 1994 and again in 2008. A career goal was realized in 2003 when she became SDA certified. She has enjoyed participating in HomeAid Orange County’s Project Playhouse and Homeless Awareness events and volunteering at Canstruction as part of the SDA/OC community outreach.

Wendy cherishes friendships made with SDA members and has wonderful memories from educational and social events through the years.

Director – Connie McKenna-McCulloch, Emeritus, CDFA

As former Chief Financial Officer and Principal of Danielian Associates, Connie was responsible for the firm’s financial and business administrative activities. Prior to joining Danielian Associates in 1999, Connie successfully managed a number of architectural firms that specialized in the design and construction of custom homes, restaurants, libraries, community centers, office buildings, and the master planning of residential developments. Connie’s background provided the leadership team at Danielian with a demonstrated excellence and understanding in the operations of architectural firms.

Connie held a number of positions with the AIA Orange County Chapter from Component Executive to Executive Director, representing the chapter on State and National levels. In recognition of Connie’s voluntary contributions to the architectural industry, she was recognized in 1994 with the title Hon-AIAOC.

After serving the A/E/C Industry for forty plus years, Connie retired in 2016 but remains an active emeritus member of the Society for Design Administration.

Director – Karen Henderson, Emeritus, SDA

Karen Henderson retired as a Senior Business Development Coordinator with Ninyo & Moore, a professional services company established in 1986 to provide geotechnical and environmental engineering, and materials testing and inspection services to clients in the governmental (federal, state, and local); commercial; and private sectors.

Except for a two-year hiatus in the mid-1990s, she has been a SDA/OC member since 1988. Karen has been an active Orange County chapter member, serving as Secretary, Vice President and a three-term President.

“To me the Society for Design Administration is a valuable organization, both professionally and personally.”

Honorary Member – Judy Merrill, SDA

Judy attributes much of her professional success to her involvement with SDA, where she has had the opportunity to learn all aspects of operating an architectural firm. She held the office of Chapter President for four terms. At the 2002 National Convention, Judy’s hard work and continuing education paid off as she was honored with the prestigious title of SDA Certified.

Judy says “the best part of membership is working with, learning from, and socializing with all the wonderful people.”

Judy retired in 2007 as an Associate at Nadel Architects, Inc. It took about eight months to get used to being retired, but now wonders how she managed to work nine hours a day and do everything she does now during the day. Judy continued her role as Director of the chapter through 2010; then retired her National membership at the beginning of 2011.

On July 23, 2011, the Chapter board and several member friends surprised her with a lovely luncheon and presented her with an Honorary Membership.

Judy has been married to her husband Dale for 32 years and has one daughter and three grandchildren.

Honorary Member – Carl Irwin, SDA

In 1966, Carl Irwin founded Irwin Architectural Group with a focus on architecture specializing in the design for the aging and senior housing. The dba today, Irwin Partners Architects, is headed up by his son, Greg Irwin and the firm continues to play an instrumental role in the evolution of design of communities and care centers for the aging.

Carl is a graduate from USC, enjoys golfing and travel. Carl was voted Honorary Member several years ago and has fully supported SDA and likes what the association brings to his office.

Honorary Member – Geri Eckner, SDA

More information to follow.

Honorary Member – Mark Lowry, Director, Orange County Food Bank

Mark Lowry is director of the Orange County Food Bank. During his tenure, the quantity of food distributed by the Food Bank has grown from two million pounds per year to nearly 20 million pounds annually. Over 100,000 vulnerable people now receive food from the Orange County Food Bank each month.

The Orange County Food Bank distributes food to nearly 400 other charities. Those organizations include churches, senior centers, shelters, community centers and social services agencies. Those charities feed seniors on fixed incomes, individuals with disabilities, the unemployed, homeless persons, and the working poor. The Food Bank also feeds 1,400 people directly each day in communities throughout the region.

As an advocate, Mark works closely with elected officials on the local, state and federal levels, on issues related to social and economic justice. He works specifically on agriculture and tax policy and improving access to basic assistance programs including the Food Stamp program.

Mark has served on the Board of Directors and as an officer of several local, state-wide and national groups, including serving as President of the California Association of Food Banks. Under his leadership, the Food Bank has, on two occasions, received the annual Hunger Fighter Award from the California Hunger Action Coalition.

The Orange County Food Bank is a program of the Community Action Partnership of Orange County, a private non-profit charity.