Argelia Bárcena is an architecture graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, with an executive education certificate from Harvard Graduate School of Design. With a diverse career in the field of architecture, she has been affiliated with renowned firms, from small to global-sized companies. Currently she is a Regional Manager of Design Technology at Gensler, for their Northwest Region. Her commitment to the profession extends to her role as adjunct faculty at the Academy of Art University School of Architecture, having previously taught at City College of San Francisco and California College of the Arts (CCA).

Argelia is an award-winning international speaker. Her notable achievements include receiving Top Speaker Awards at Autodesk University and contributing to the development of Autodesk’s Revit Certified Professional Exams. Recognized with a BIM Hero Medal and as an Autodesk Expert Elite, Argelia’s transition from traditional architecture to design technology was driven by her exceptional technical proficiency. Additionally, she holds the esteemed position of Associate Director for the American Institute of Architects San Francisco Board of Directors, serves as a Regional Lead for Women in BIM and is the Chair of the Technology in Architectural Practice AIASF Knowledge Community.