HED is proud to announce a strategic leadership enhancement for its Boston Healthcare practice with the appointment of Noelia Bitar AIA ACHA as a Healthcare Sector Leader. Bitar, whose career spans over 25 years in innovative healthcare design and medical planning on an international stage, has joined the firm, marking a new chapter of growth.

Bitar joins forces with industry expert, Healthcare Strategy & Development Leader, Ronda Paradis, whose leadership has propelled HED's growth in healthcare on the East Coast. Paradis has consistently demonstrated a forward-thinking vision and an ability to drive impactful solutions in healthcare. Since joining HED, Paradis's leadership has strengthened HED's presence in Greater Boston, advancing the firm's work on healthcare projects and deepening partnerships with prominent institutions.

Together, Paradis and Bitar will co-lead HED's design practice for the Healthcare sector in Boston, leveraging their combined experience to further elevate the firm's integrated design strategies and expand its impact in the region.

"Noelia's extensive background and visionary approach to healthcare design align perfectly with our commitment to delivering environments that foster innovation, healing, and operational excellence," said Brett Paloutzian, HED's Healthcare National Business Leader.

Bitar brings a wealth of expertise as an award-winning, board-certified healthcare architect. Her experience encompasses high-profile projects ranging from academic medical centers to state-of-the-art patient towers and specialized clinical environments.

"By uniting Noelia's global deep expertise and perspective with Ronda's strategic approach to understanding client needs, HED is connecting experts to solve complex challenges withing the healthcare environment" says Enrique Suarez, CEO at HED. "We are poised to redefine what's possible in healthcare design—creating spaces that not only meet the highest standards of functionality and sustainability but also inspire transformative patient care."

HED remains committed to integrating cutting-edge design with operational efficiency and community engagement. The appointment of Bitar and the continued leadership of Paradis signal a sharpened focus on innovative, patient-centered design solutions that meet the evolving challenges of the healthcare landscape in Boston and beyond.

HED is pleased to announce the addition of Dan Frank as Strategy & Development Leader supporting the PreK12 and Higher Education sectors. Based in Los Angeles, Dan brings more than two decades of proven expertise in client engagement and strategic growth across the AEC industry.

Dan's approach is defined by strategic curiosity and a deep appreciation for research and discovery. He is known for immersing himself in the unique dynamics of each client and district, examining capital programs, bond measures, board agendas, and institutional goals to identify meaningful opportunities that align with HED's strengths.

Throughout his career, Dan has directed student housing strategies, driven design-build partnerships, and guided efforts across multiple California regions—from LA to Sacramento to San Diego. His leadership has supported contracts totaling tens of millions in net fees, and he has built deep relationships across the UC and CSU systems, California Community Colleges, PreK–12 districts, and private institutions.

Dan joins HED during a moment of opportunity and momentum, partnering closely with sector leaders to extend the firm's integrated design delivery across California.

"What drew me to HED was the people and the process," Dan shared. "The integrated design model here gives us an incredible platform to deliver solutions that are both innovative and grounded. I'm excited to be part of this team and this mission."

Dan is a member of multiple education and planning organizations, including the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), CASH, SCUP, and the Community College Facility Coalition.

HED proudly announces the appointment of Roberto Vazquez, AIA, as Sector Leader for Housing and Mixed Use. Based in Los Angeles, Vazquez brings over two decades of adaptive reuse expertise, technical leadership, and advocacy-driven design to one of HED's fastest-growing practice areas.

"Roberto is a passionate advocate," said Otis Odell, AIA, LEED AP, Business Leader for Housing and Mixed Use. "He's a proven technical leader, and a creative thinker who understands how to turn underutilized buildings into dynamic places for living, working, and community."

Vazquez's career has been defined by a definitive approach to adaptive reuse projects. From high-rise conversions in downtown LA to boutique hospitality and cultural centers, his work has consistently revitalized city cores while expanding access to housing and opportunity. His portfolio includes nationally recognized projects such as the Garfield Hotel, the Singer Building, and the Sears Landmark redevelopment.

Vazquez is helping drive a renewed focus on housing resiliency and urban transformation nationwide. "Adaptive reuse offers a real path forward," said Vazquez. "The convergence of a housing crisis, an office market collapse, and the urgency of climate action demands bold ideas. It's not just about buildings. It's about advocating for policy change, financial innovation, and design that serves people."

Vazquez has built a reputation as a trusted voice in the field. He has served as a consultant and working group member for adaptive reuse ordinances and planning efforts in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Jose, and at the county and state level, helping shape frameworks that lower barriers and accelerate impact.

"Architects have a responsibility to lead, not just on drawings, but on ideas," he said. "I'm here to help cities see what's possible, to support clients with clarity and vision, and to make sure the design process leads to outcomes that are thoughtful, inclusive, and transformative."

With Vazquez's addition, HED strengthens its national positioning as a leader in Housing and Mixed-Use design and its commitment to Integrated Design, a practice model that harnesses the collective insight of architecture and engineering to produce sustainable, resilient, and human-centered environments.

HED is proud to announce the appointment of Ralph Mocerino AIA, as Corporate Sector Leader. With more than 35 years of experience leading multidisciplinary firms around the globe, Mocerino's role with HED is intended to drive visionary leadership in client relationships and design thinking as new technologies advance and markets grow increasingly complex.

Mocerino's appointment signals a momentous chapter for HED, one focused on deepening partnerships and positioning design intelligence across every facet of the firm. His philosophy aligns with HED's vision for integrated design where architecture, engineering, and emerging technologies as inherently interconnected. This is a marked industry differentiator ushering stronger collaboration, innovation, and project delivery.

"Ralph brings a design-forward mindset to our leadership, integral to who we are as a firm," said Enrique Suarez, Co-CEO of HED. "His work will be a driving force behind future development and client relationships, bringing enhanced business to the forefront of every market we serve."

Throughout his career, Mocerino has driven global growth initiatives, led billion-dollar project pursuits, and pioneered growth strategies for healthcare, advanced manufacturing, mission critical, and workplace practices. His passion lies in cultivating high-performing teams, challenging conventional thinking, and pulling clients into a three-dimensional conversation.

"Design is our shared language, across disciplines, across sectors," said Mocerino. "At HED, we're embracing the opportunity to build something bigger, uniting strategy, creativity, and technical excellence to create meaningful impact."

As HED continues to grow nationwide, Mocerino will play a critical role in shaping the firm's business strategy, client engagement, and cultural cohesion, advocating for a unified voice and forward-looking vision to redefine the way architecture is delivered. His appointment marks a pivotal step in advancing the firm's evolution as a bold and imaginative force in integrated design.