Candidate for
AIA 2027 President-elect / 2028 President
Willy L. Zambrano, FAIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Architect, Educator, Citizen Architect, Mentor
Founder Zambrano Architectural Design
Architecture is for Everyone!
Lets transform this world together
Experience Through Service
As the youngest of nine siblings, Willy became the first to earn a college degree and went on to build an award‑winning design firm over two decades ago. His work has focused on serving under‑represented communities, nonprofit organizations, and both public and private sector clients. A leader at every level of AIA, from local chapter treasurer to leading the second largest state component as president.
Willy Zambrano is running to lead with a holistic regenerative design mind set, elevating architecture’s value through strong advocacy, championing justice for those we serve and bringing back collective solutions to break down silos between all components, foster open collaboration across every level of AIA, and ensure no voice goes unheard.
Willy’s journey is defined by diligence, compromise, and an unwavering commitment to society, the architectural community and beyond.
The Immigrant Journey
Born in Manta, Ecuador, Willy arrived in the US with the resilience of a first-generation immigrant. He earned his degrees from the CCNY Spitzer School of Architecture, a public institution that served as a working-class pathway into the profession. " As the youngest of nine siblings, I would not have survived if I was not a good compromiser." This foundational empathy drove him to build his own practice, ZAD, from the ground up in 2005, now a 9-person studio dedicated to healthcare and community-centric design.
The AIA Leadership Ladder
Willy’s leadership is defined by the "AIA Leadership Ladder", a progression from local chapter treasurer to AIANYS President. He didn't skip steps. As the first Latino president of AIA Queens and later AIANYS, he focused on tangible tools for architects, creating the "No Firm Left Behind" Digital Transformation Roadmap and the Small Firm Symposium. His service is a record of turning aspirations into action, ensuring that small firms and diverse voices are not just heard, but empowered with real resources.
Community Roots
Beyond the studio, Willy founded the Queens Foundation for Architecture, providing $10K+ in annual scholarships to first-generation students. His civic roles as Freeport Landmark Preservation Commissioner and Economic Development Chair reflect his belief that architects must be engaged citizens. Whether teaching as an adjunct professor or advocating on Lobby Day, Willy's mission remains the same: Architecture is for everyone.
