Keynotes

After uncovering a 30-year-long history of poisoning the groundwater in Hinkley, CA by PG&E, Erin Brockovich famously dug in and didn’t give up until she had exposed the truth—and had gotten justice for its victims. Now, as President of Brockovich Research & Consulting, she is currently involved in numerous environmental projects worldwide where she combats a number of environmental issues, including fracking, sinkholes, cancer-causing emissions, groundwater contamination, and oil spills. She is proof that one person can make a difference, and she believes that everyone—in their own way—can do the same.

Erin is a true American hero who’s icon status and “stick-to-it-iveness” only fuels her determination to expose injustice and lend her voice to those who do not have one.

Introducing Beth Ziesenis, your self-proclaimed “Nerdy Best Friend”! She is an expert in tech tools and AI, bringing a fresh and funny perspective to industry advancements.

She is exciting, fun, and packed full of knowledge that she shares in easy-to-digest sound bites. Beth takes the fear out of technology and helps you get right to the point with effective apps and tools that you can integrate into your everyday work and life.

Join her at Aspire to learn how to navigate through digital clutter, uncover tricks and tips to solve everyday problems, and optimize productivity.

Evelyn Lee is a multifaceted professional who uniquely blends her architectural background with a tech-driven focus. As an architect now immersed in the tech industry, she serves as an angel investor, startup advisor, and fractional COO for SMB architecture firms, playing a pivotal role in their growth and success.

Despite her career transition, Evelyn’s passion for architecture remains unshaken, fueled by a deep admiration for the professionals in the field, their dedication to serving clients, and the indelible impact they imprint on communities. She currently serves as AIA National president-elect, beginning a one-year term as president in 2025.

A sought-after speaker, Evelyn regularly shares her insights on the evolution of architecture practice, leadership and team development, the integration of technology in practice operations, and the exploration of alternative careers. Outside of her architectural pursuits, she is a founding advisor for Women Defining AI, championing a more inclusive and diverse landscape in artificial intelligence. Lee’s leadership and forward-thinking approach are not just about innovation and progress; they’re about guiding the architectural profession toward new, uncharted directions to keep the profession relevant in an ever-evolving world.