A global thinker and creative thought leader, Mani Ardalan Farhadi brings over three decades of planning experience, including at Stanford University School of Medicine, Taylor Design, Steinberg Hart, and Sasaki Associates. Her expertise is in the pre-design phase, when visioning and partnering brings about stakeholder concurrence with positive solutions. Using exploratory skills, she is integral to campus projects, collaborating on strategies with educational clients throughout the US. Described as ‘the client in the room,’ Mani brings a keen ability to listen and build consensus. She has been instrumental in campus planning, setting initiatives and promoting thought leadership. Leveraging her perspective, Mani enjoys leading workshops, stakeholder presentations, and conferences nationwide (SCUP, AIA, EQXD, ACSA, SPUR, CCFC, CCLC, A4LE).

A graduate of Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA with a B.A. in Architecture, she also has a B.Arch from Boston Architectural College. A lifelong learner, her formal education is supplemented with certificates from Stanford University in LEAP (Leadership | Education | Access | Power); Stanford’s Supervisor Academy; SCUP Planning Institute (Step III); Leadership Los Gatos; LEED AP; MIG (Management in Governance) training; and Lean Processes.

Mani’s leadership extends into volunteer duties: former Board of Trustee member at Los Gatos Union School District, and Chair of the Bond Oversight Committee, for which she received the ‘Citizen Architect’ award. Highlighting her passion for advocacy, other activities include WIA (Women in Architecture) Silicon Valley; co-founder of BIBI (Banous in Building Industry) for Persian professional women; Advisory Board for NICART (Niosha International Conservatory of Arts); DEI Officer for Wellesley College Alumna; Member of Stanford Interfaith Council; and a Persian Cultural Ambassador for Children’s Discovery Museum. Mani wakes up each day with the goal of making a difference in someone’s life.