College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs
601 W. Nedderman Drive
Suite 203
Arlington, TX 76019-0108
CAPPA Dean’s Advisory Council
Meet the advisory council of the Dean
About The Council
The CAPPA Dean’s Advisory Council brings together distinguished alumni, community leaders, and business professionals who provide strategic guidance, expertise, and connections to advance the college’s mission. Members advise the dean on programs, partnerships, research, fundraising priorities, and emerging opportunities in design, planning, and public policy. As ambassadors for CAPPA, they strengthen relationships with alumni, professional organizations, community partners, and industry leaders while helping shape the college’s future and expand its impact locally, nationally, and globally.
Zaida Basora, FAIA
Zaida Basora, FAIA, joined AIA Dallas and the Architecture and Design Foundation as Executive Director in January 2020. An architect, consultant, advocate, and former firm owner, she brings more than 35 years of experience in design, construction, sustainability, public policy, and organizational leadership. Her extensive service with AIA Dallas, the Texas Society of Architects, AIA National, and numerous nonprofit organizations has helped advance the profession and strengthen community engagement.
Before joining AIA Dallas, Basora led the Dallas architectural practice of Huitt-Zollars and served as the firm’s sustainability manager. Before that, she spent more than two decades with the City of Dallas, primarily as Assistant Director of Public Works, overseeing the implementation of more than $800 million in public facility projects and leading the city’s award-winning green building program.
A founding member and former chair of the USGBC North Texas Chapter, Basora has held numerous leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. She was elected to the AIA College of Fellows in 2012.