Stacey Pfingsten Named New Executive Director of the Louisiana Architectural Foundation

The Louisiana Architectural Foundation (LAF) is pleased to announce its first Executive Director, Stacey Pfingsten. She officially came on-board with the Foundation in mid-January. Formerly of Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Pfingsten brings a breadth of experience in the non-profit, architecture field, as well as in communications, fundraising, and public policy.

Prior to working for the City of Chicago as an aldermanic aid, Ms. Pfingsten devoted several years professionally towards grassroots efforts to maintain and improve Chicago’s historic neighborhoods and places. She began her career in historic preservation as an intern on Capitol Hill with the national advocacy group, Preservation Action. In 2006, Stacey joined the non-profit organization, Preservation Chicago, as Communications Director during an era of demolition to advocate on behalf of Chicago’s iconic architectural sites and spaces. She worked on several prominent campaigns, including the nationwide fight to save Bertrand Goldberg’s modern masterpiece, Prentice Hospital, which was eventually demolished. In addition to her architectural advocacy work, she was highly involved in Chicago’s communities, volunteering with local park councils, working on public school education reform, and working on city-wide environmental issues.

Jesse D. Cannon, Board President: “Stacey’s successful body of experience is exactly what is needed by the Louisiana Architectural Foundation to raise the relevance and value of architecture to the profession and communities throughout Louisiana.”

Lynn Robertson, Executive Director of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects: “Stacey’s background in historic preservation will help to assure that our rich architectural heritage will be passed on to future generations along with a commitment to excellence in the built environment.”

Ms. Pfingsten has a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design and a Business Administration minor from Eastern Illinois University. She attended graduate school at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a focus in historic preservation. Upon her relocation to New Orleans, she participated as a fellow in the 2015 Bryan Bell Leadership Forum presented by the Committee of Better New Orleans, which selects 30 emerging leaders of New Orleans.

“I am honored to have been chosen as the first Executive Director of the Louisiana Architectural Foundation”, says Pfingsten. “Working closely with a dedicated, passionate Board of Regents, we will be taking the organization to the next level by increasing our presence statewide not only to the architecture and design community, but also beyond that by offering exciting programs and events for the public.”

If you would like to get involved, or to find more information on the foundation, see: www.aiala/missionstatement or email at: info.lafoundation@gmail.com.