Youth Program
Applying for an internship, especially for the first time, can be daunting. Student moderators from the AIASF student board sat down with leaders from the architecture and construction industry to find out what it really takes to land an internship, from building a resume with no experience to standing out with no professional network.
Joy Zhan, Interim Director of the San Francisco Youth Commission, opened the evening with a Commendation to AIASF for Architecture Week on behalf of Mayor Lurie, followed by the panel discussion and a soft happy hour with snacks.
This event was part of the 2026 Youth Design Festival, presented during Architecture Week 2026 by AIA San Francisco and the Center for Architecture + Design. This event has already taken place.
5:40 PM
Joy Zhan, Interim Director of the San Francisco Youth Commission, presented a Commendation to AIASF for Architecture Week on behalf of Mayor Lurie.
5:50–7:00 PM
Panel discussion, with panelists offering honest answers to questions from student moderators.
7:00–8:00 PM
Soft happy hour and snacks.
Founding Principal, Y.A. studio · AIASF Board President
Yakuh Askew is the founder and principal of Y.A. studio, a San Francisco based architectural practice. At Y.A. studio, he has built a design team that excels in the design of restaurants, offices, and both single-family and multi-family residences, taking particular pride in his work on over 1,200 permanently affordable residential units within San Francisco. Diversity, equity, sustainability, and social responsibility are key focuses professionally and personally. Yakuh was previously a member of the San Francisco Arts Commission and the Civic Design Review Committee.
Vice President & Director of Preconstruction, GCI General Contractors · AIASF Board Public Director
Overseeing GCI’s Preconstruction department and national work, Seth Berling is an expert in building repositioning and renovation, bringing new life to existing spaces from the very first conversation. He believes construction is one of the few remaining industries where honesty, hard work, and perseverance still directly pay off.
Founding Principal, Jackson Liles Architecture · AIASF Board Treasurer
Julie Jackson is the co-founder and principal of Jackson Liles Architecture (JLA), a San Francisco–based practice dedicated to creating thoughtful, resilient, and community-serving architecture. With nearly three decades of experience, she has led projects ranging from early education and nonprofit facilities to adaptive-reuse, industrial, commercial, and residential work. She is the founder of AIA San Francisco’s Women in Architecture knowledge community, has mentored more than 35 aspiring architects through JLA’s internship and early-career program, and serves as Treasurer of the Center for Architecture + Design. She has been a licensed architect in California since 1997.
Preconstruction Executive, Nibbi Brothers General Contractors · AIASF Board Public Director
Randall Thompson is the Preconstruction Executive of NibbiPrefab at Nibbi Brothers General Contractors, working directly with clients, design teams, modular manufacturers, and Nibbi operations staff on the design, procurement, and construction of modular projects. With over 20 years of construction industry experience, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Owner / Managing Principal, Zack | de Vito
Jim Zack brings a wealth of knowledge, deep commitment, and emphasis on craft to lead Zack | de Vito’s practice of architecture and design build. Licensed as both an architect and contractor, he learned to build before he learned to design, working as a journeyman carpenter and contractor before founding the firm in 1995. He is also an accomplished furniture designer, with pieces in the SFMOMA permanent collection, and was elevated into the AIA College of Fellows in 2025.
The Real Talk series is a platform for the student members of the AIASF board to strengthen the connection between schools and firms. Students determine the topic, prepare questions, and moderate the event. The 2026 AIASF student board members are:
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