Emerging Professionals Business Development Panel

Michael Malone, FAIA is the founding principal of Malone Maxwell Dennehy Architects, a full-service architectural firm based in Dallas, Texas. Since 1992, the firm has specialized in the design of retail and commercial interiors, single and multifamily residential, facilities for worship, and corporate marketing centers. The award-winning practice is frequently published in professional and shelter publications and is widely recognized for its thoughtful and considered designs. In 2013 the firm was selected as the Firm of the Year by the Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Michael is a frequent contributor to professional journals and is a Contributing Editor for Texas Architect magazine. He is the author of “The Architects Guide to Residential Design” published in 2010 by McGraw Hill.

Active in the Texas Society of Architects, he was the 2015 President. Previously he served as President Elect, Vice President for Outreach, Chairman of the Publications Committee, Chairman of the Texas Society of Architects Design Committee, and Chairman of the Honors and Awards committee. He initiated and chaired the first three Texas Society of Architects Design Conferences in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He currently serves as the President of the Texas Architectural Foundation and chairs the AIA Dallas Community Honors Committee. He is a frequent speaker at professional meetings and conventions, with his programs focused primarily on the importance of design, the role of drawing in design and issues affecting the architectural profession. He was elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2017.

Vandana leads the Education Practice for Perkins&Will’s Southwest Region.  She brings over two decades of specific experience of working with K-12 and Higher Education clients on complex, top tier projects. She recognizes that education is a key element in providing opportunities to all people to build a better community. Her passion is to make a difference through design.

As an empathetic leader, she has a unique ability to understand her clients’ intentions and aspirations beyond simply listening to the words they say. This is especially powerful for her education clients who typically have a large number of constituents involved, all with diverse perspectives. She is able to navigate through the many voices, create a clear vision, and translate that into a built facility that exceeds her clients’ expectations.

Clemente is a Partner and Design Director at MODUS Architecture. As a first-generation entrepreneur and architect, he champions the role of the Master Architect as the orchestrator of the built environment and our quality of life. His global and local experiences have shaped his approach to creating contextually and culturally rooted spaces. The diversity of his projects and experiences has been crucial to his development as a leader, designer, and business entrepreneur.

In 2019, Clemente co-founded MODUS Architecture, an organization built on two principles: Design for People and Work with Purpose. Since its inception, MODUS has expanded its portfolio to include projects in the healthcare, commercial, and hospitality sectors. Notably, MODUS architecture is part of the design team tasked with renovating and expanding the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium at Dallas Fair Park.

Clemente is a passionate community advocate, serving as the 2024 President of the Dallas Architecture and Design Foundation, a Dean’s Advisory Council member for Kansas State University, and a dedicated Board Member of St. Paul Classical Catholic School. He holds a master’s degree from Kansas State University and is a registered architect in Texas. Beyond his professional endeavors, Clemente is committed to educating his two young boys and two younger girls to be design thinkers and to embrace life’s challenges and opportunities.