Global recognition
for exceptional design

Yekaterina Pupchenok is an architectural environment designer specializing in spatial design through the principles of cognitive ergonomics. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Environment Design and a certificate in Managerial Thinking. She is a member of the Industrial Committee of the International Educational Corporation (IEC) and a participant of the international Humane Pedagogy Festival “Zyorna”.

Madina Kassymbekova is an architect and architectural environment designer specializing in conceptual design. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Master’s degree in Art History. She serves as Chair of the Industrial Committee for Design at the International Educational Corporation (IEC).

Together, Madina Kassymbekova and Yekaterina Pupchenok are recognized speakers at the international construction and interior exhibition KazBuild, and members of several professional associations, including the Professional TANU Association and the VELLURE Club.

As co-leaders of Vertex Studio, they combine professional expertise and a strong design vision in projects across Kazakhstan. Their work has received international recognition, including the IDA Awards. They serve on academic and governmental committees, bridging architecture, education, and public engagement, and influencing the development of the design industry in Kazakhstan.

Zi Zhuo is an award-winning architectural designer at NAC Architecture in Seattle, Washington, with experience spanning planning, design and research across multiple project types. Before joining NAC, he contributed to architectural work at Ayers Saint Gross in Washington, D.C. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Chongqing University and a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Virginia.

As a core contributor to numerous projects, Zi Zhuo has played a meaningful role in shaping designs that serve diverse communities, consistently recognised for his collaborative approach and strong professional competence. His portfolio ranges from detailed exhibition design to large-scale commercial and high-rise developments, demonstrating his ability to translate ambitious conceptual thinking into innovative architectural solutions.

His work has received international attention through distinctions from respected global design platforms, including honours from the MUSE Design Awards, the French Design Awards, the A’Design Award, the New York Design Awards, the London Design Awards and others. These achievements highlight both the breadth of his design capabilities and the global reach of his work.

Combining design, analysis and research, Zi Zhuo continues to focus on creating architecture that engages creatively with real-world challenges while maintaining clarity, function and imagination.

Yefan Liu is an award-winning product and industrial designer with professional experience in human-centered consumer product development. She is currently a Product Designer at iSpring Water Systems (North America), where she works across product interaction design, user experience, and brand-oriented design systems for global markets.

Yefan Liu’s practice bridges industrial design, sustainability, and storytelling, with a strong focus on how design can balance usability, cultural context, and long-term social impact. She has contributed to end-to-end product development for international clients, covering research, concept development, engineering collaboration, and manufacturing implementation.

Yefan Liu holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and regularly serves as a portfolio mentor for emerging designers. Her work has received multiple international design awards, including the Red Dot Design Award, IDA Gold Award, DNA Paris Design Award, London Design Awards, and others.

Jose Armando Roman is an architect with more than 15 years of international experience, drawing on the cultural heritage of Mexico and Spain alongside the technical and professional expertise developed through studying and working in the United Kingdom. His career spans a wide range of iconic projects that integrate innovation, functionality, sustainability and distinctive design. He is currently a Project Designer and a leader within the Latin American Venues sector at HKS Architects, a global practice recognised for its work in sports and entertainment.

His professional focus is rooted in innovation and computational design, consistently exploring advanced technologies to create dynamic, user-centred environments. Alongside his architectural work, Jose Armando Roman has contributed to academia by teaching at several universities, encouraging emerging architects to engage with the evolving possibilities of design and technology.

With a combination of international perspective, technical skill and creative vision, he remains committed to developing sustainable, compelling and intelligent design solutions.

Johana Carolina Mendoza Rodriguez is an Ecuadorian architectural designer whose practice blends technical precision with creative storytelling. Currently based in Seattle, she contributes to award-winning international projects at Olson Kundig, bringing a global sensibility informed by diverse experiences across Latin America and the United States. Her work spans architectural design, visual representation, and digital media, with a growing reputation for expressive illustrations that connect architecture with culture and imagination.

Trained at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Johana Mendoza has collaborated with a range of firms including Rivera + Bracaci, MAE, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Her portfolio includes residential, cultural, and institutional projects, and she has also contributed to urban regeneration initiatives. Johana Mendoza’s architectural illustrations, often featured in publications and online platforms, reinterpret iconic landmarks through playful, narrative-infused imagery—most notably through her series blending Disney characters with world architecture, which has received international media attention.

She has been recognised in multiple competitions including Inspireli Awards, Drawing of the Year, and IDOARCH, and has served as a jury member and honorary reviewer for international design awards. A passionate advocate for inclusive and expressive design, she brings a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural lens to her work, grounded in research, creativity, and public engagement.

Ilana Seleznev is a visionary leader in Product Strategy, Business Transformation, and Industrial Design, with over 15 years of proven success turning complex ideas into breakthrough results.

As Director of the Enterprise Transformation Office at Salesforce, Ilana drives strategic growth and maximizes profitability while opening doors to new global markets. Her leadership has been instrumental in Salesforce’s international expansion and record-breaking revenue growth. With a background in Industrial Design and an MBA in Marketing, Ilana developed her signature approach — The Math Of Design: Thinking Inside The Box. This unique method blends the logic of mathematics with the creativity of design to craft promotional products and branded merchandise that are not only functional but unforgettable. Known for her sharp eye for detail and a deep commitment to personal client service, Ilana oversees every stage — from initial concept to final launch — ensuring every project exceeds expectations and delivers measurable value.

Beyond the corporate world, Ilana is dedicated to empowering communities and shaping the future of product leadership. She is a featured speaker at Product School, an active board member of the Salesforce Women’s Network for Equality, and an advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech and design. Her achievements have earned her international recognition, including A Design Award, MUSE Design Awards and a seat as a jury member for the Globee Awards. Her influence extends to mentoring, thought leadership, and championing innovation wherever she goes.

When she’s not driving transformation, you’ll likely find her behind the wheel of a sports car — fueling her passion for speed, precision, and pushing boundaries in every sense. Ilana Seleznev continues to redefine how businesses think, design, and grow — proving that when creativity meets strategy, anything is possible.

Dr. Xiwei Shen is a landscape architect, educator, and researcher whose work bridges environmental restoration and theoretical design. With a strong academic foundation that includes a Ph.D. in Planning, Design, and the Built Environment from Clemson University, a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard University, and a Bachelor’s from Louisiana State University, Xiwei Shen approaches landscape design through both scientific rigour and creative insight.

His professional and academic achievements reflect a consistent pursuit of innovation in landscape architecture. As a practitioner, Xiwei Shen has received major accolades, including multiple national and regional ASLA awards, with notable recognition from the Boston Society of Landscape Architects and the Landscape Institute in the UK. His awarded projects have addressed themes such as remediation, urban resilience, and ecological performance, including a recent IDA award for sustainable urban planning in desert environments.

In parallel, Xiwei Shen contributes to scholarly discourse through peer-reviewed publications, and he has served as editor and reviewer for several international journals. His academic and professional path reflects a clear commitment to integrating ecological research with impactful design, making him a significant voice in contemporary landscape architecture.

Dichen Ding, AIA, is an award-winning architect with more than a decade of experience leading civic and cultural projects throughout the United States.

Her work is characterised by a focus on social impact, sustainability and design excellence, represented by projects such as the L10 Arts & Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NASA’s Glenn Research Support Building, the Make the Road NY Community Center and the New York Public Library 53rd Street Branch. Her portfolio has received recognition from organisations including the AIA, SARA and NYCxDesign, and has been exhibited internationally at venues such as the Center for Architecture in New York and the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City.

Dichen Ding has served as a juror for international architecture competitions and is recognised for her contributions to industry discourse. Her distinctions include being named an Emerging Fellow of the Urban Design Forum and a finalist for the AIA Women in Architecture Award, reflecting her continued influence in shaping equitable and resilient cities.