Our Team

CAA Council is drawn from its member organisations and elected at its biennial General Assembly. Council is supported by two steering committees, on Education and Practice, together with a part-time secretariat and a Board of Trustees.

CAA Council Members

Steven Oundo

President

Kenya

Steven Oundo

Stephen is CAA President. He is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, past Chairman of Architectural Association of Kenya, former Treasurer of African Union of Architects and former Vice President of East African Institute of Architects. He is appointed by the President of Kenya to the Selection Panel for Members of the National Gender and Equality Commission.

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John Brown

Senior Vice President

Canada

John Brown

John Brown is a registered architect, professor, and Dean at the University of Calgary. He has led significant expansions, including launching new degrees and a $40 million building project. Partner at Housebrand and Garden Loft, he focuses on innovative architectural practices and age-in-community design. As past RAIC President, he developed the first Governance Manual and new Strategic Plan. He has received several awards for his contributions.

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Peter Oborn

Immediate Past President

United Kingdom

Peter is CAA Immediate Past President and is a member of the UN Habitat Stakeholder Advisory Group. He is former RIBA Vice President International and UIA Council Member, was lead author of the Survey of the Built Environment Professions in the Commonwealth, and has been an active contributor to the Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation across the Commonwealth.

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Flora Runumi

Treasurer & Honorary Secretary, and Trustee

Uganda

Flora Runumi

An architect serving with the Uganda Society of Architects who was elected to serve as the CAA’s Honorary Secretary & Treasurer and joins the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member.

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Wilson Mugambi

Vice President Africa

Kenya

Wilson Mugambi

With over 20 years of experience, Wilson began his career as an apprentice at Planning Systems Services Limited and graduated with an honours degree in Architecture from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He is currently the Managing Partner at Artcore Design Build LLP, specializing in Architecture, Interior Design, and Property Development. Previously, he was a Director at Insignia Dezyns Limited for 10 years. He aims to impact the built environment through good design, efficient management, and environmental respect.

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Maira Khan

Vice President, Asia

Pakistan

Maira Khan, is both an experienced educator and prominent architect. She served as CAA Executive Director from 2019-2024 currently serves as Vice President at the Institute of Architects Pakistan. She works as Assistant Professor at COMSATS University and Principal Architect at J & M Associates, where she inspires innovation and sustainability in future architects and design.

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Curisa Smith

Vice President, Caribbean and Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

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Mina Hasman

Vice President Europe

United Kingdom

Mina Hasman

Mina is the CAA Regional Vice President, Europe and the CAA’s Focal Point at the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). As a recognised expert in her field, Mina has also been elected to, and is actively involved with the UK Green Building Council’s Board of Trustees, RIBA Council, the joint UN Environment Programme, GlobalABC COP Task Force, and the UK Construction Industry Council Climate Change Committee.

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Vince Pirrello

Vice President, Pacific

Australia

Vince Pirrello

With 35 years in the Architecture/Built Environment sector, Vince has led design studios, chaired executives, and served as a global board director. Experienced in Australia, Asia, and the USA, he excels in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and business development. He grew revenues and managed teams of 1,000 staff. Currently semi-retired, Vince continues mentoring and contributing to industry committees.

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Umar Saeed

Chair of Education

Pakistan

Umar Saeed

Umar is CAA Chair of Education. He is a Council member of IAP National Council, Chairman of the Board of Architectural Education (BAE‐IAP), a Member of the Punjab Housing Task Force (PHTF) and convener subcommittee of “New Cities”. Umar is engaged in developing architectural education in Pakistan and is a Board member at three universities. He is a visiting faculty member the at National College of Arts & University of Lahore.

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Nazmul Haq

Chair of Practice

Bangladesh

Nazmul Haq

Nazmul holds a B-Arch from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and various certificates from esteemed institutions, including Cornell, Harvard, and MIT, in fields like hotel planning, urban life, and sustainability. Registered with the Institute of Architect Bangladesh (B-024), he has over 22 years of expertise in managing diverse architectural projects in commercial, hospitality, and healthcare sectors. Notable projects include the Le Meridien Dhaka, BNSB Eye Hospital Mymensingh, and Radisson Blu Water Garden renovation.

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Hugo Chan

Youth Representative

Australia

Hugo Chan

Hugo is the Director of StudioHC, specializing in ecological and cultural sustainability. With a background in architecture and environmental law, he is also the Architect & Associate – Operations at Cracknell & Lonergan Architects. He has over a decade of experience, focusing on heritage conservation, urban design, and environmental planning. Hugo is an academic, writer, and award-winning researcher.

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Jacob Mwangi

Executive Director

Kenya

Jacob Mwangi

Architect Jacob Mwangi serves as CAA Executive Director, has advanced architecture in East Africa and beyond, with an emphasis on sustainable design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and resilient communities.  Jacob also champions professional standards, networks, and innovation across the Commonwealth and continues to serve as CEO of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK).

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CAA Secretariat

Jacob Mwangi

Executive Director

Kenya

Jacob Mwangi

Architect Jacob Mwangi serves as CAA Executive Director, has advanced architecture in East Africa and beyond, with an emphasis on sustainable design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and resilient communities.  Jacob also champions professional standards, networks, and innovation across the Commonwealth and continues to serve as CEO of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK).

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Asim Jalal

IT Manager

Pakistan

Asim Jalal is the CAA’s IT Coordinator. He graduated in computing science from Pakistan and then moved to UK to pursue post graduate studies in IT, where he held several positions in London before joining a Press Office as IT Manager. Asim has also worked for the Government of Punjab, and the Board of Revenue, Punjab.

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Tiriveedhi Dileep Kumar

GIS Administrator

India

Dileep Kumar

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CAA Trustees

Vincent Cassar

Former Treasurer & Honorary Secretary, and Trustee

Malta

Vincent is a former President of the CAA. He is currently the President of the Kamra tal-Periti, National Delegate to the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) and the European Council of Civil Engineers (ECCE). He is a Fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers (FICE) and of the Institute of Health Estate Engineering Management (FIHEEM). He served as Director General of Public Works until February 2023 when he was appointed Chair of the Environment and Resources Authority Board.

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Meg Collin

Trustee

United Kingdom

An architect with experience of working in public, private and third sectors both in the UK and Africa, having most recently served as primary researcher for the East African Schools Design Guide on behalf of the Feilden Foundation in partnership with the Belgian development agency Enabel.

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Mark Harvey

Trustee

United Kingdom

An engineer with 40 years of experience in infrastructure development in low-income countries, most recently as Head of Profession (Infrastructure and Urban) at the UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office.

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Christopher Martin

Trustee

United Kingdom

An urban designer and strategist working to maximise the value of urban public space. As a Trustee and Vice Chair of ‘Living Streets’, Christopher brings a wealth of experience in charity governance and funding.

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Sumita Singha

Trustee

United Kingdom

Sumita Singha

Sumita is an award-winning architect, Professor of Architecture, and author of many books. Sumita founded Architects for Change, the Equality forum at RIBA. Sumita is a trustee of four built environment charities including the Architects Benevolent Society and RIBA. Sumita received the OBE for services to architecture in 2021.

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CAA Professional Pratice Steering Committee

Nazmul Haq

Chair of Practice

Bangladesh

Nazmul Haq

Nazmul holds a B-Arch from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and various certificates from esteemed institutions, including Cornell, Harvard, and MIT, in fields like hotel planning, urban life, and sustainability. Registered with the Institute of Architect Bangladesh (B-024), he has over 22 years of expertise in managing diverse architectural projects in commercial, hospitality, and healthcare sectors. Notable projects include the Le Meridien Dhaka, BNSB Eye Hospital Mymensingh, and Radisson Blu Water Garden renovation.

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CAA Education Steering Committee

Umar Saeed

Chair of Education

Pakistan

Umar Saeed

Umar is CAA Chair of Education. He is a Council member of IAP National Council, Chairman of the Board of Architectural Education (BAE‐IAP), a Member of the Punjab Housing Task Force (PHTF) and convener subcommittee of “New Cities”. Umar is engaged in developing architectural education in Pakistan and is a Board member at three universities. He is a visiting faculty member the at National College of Arts & University of Lahore.

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