January MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 2026

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT | Morina Peterson

Morina Peterson, NOMA, AIA, LEED AP

MORINA pETERSON: Architect, Leader, and mentor

Morina Peterson, NOMA, NCARB has built a distinguished career grounded in client-centered project delivery, sustainable design, and a deep commitment to mentorship and professional advocacy. With more than two decades of experience across architecture, facilities management, and healthcare planning, Morina’s work reflects a holistic understanding of how design can support both people and institutions. Her approach consistently balances functionality, identity, long-term performance, and stakeholder needs. An ethic shaped by her unique experience on both the designer and client sides of practice.

A graduate of Hampton University with a Bachelor of Architecture, Morina’s professional journey spans a diverse range of roles and project types, including education, worship, and healthcare. Early in her career, she gained valuable perspective as a Facilities Project Manager within Howard University’s Architecture and Engineering Department, where she managed deferred maintenance, demolition, and renovation projects. This experience deeply informed her collaborative, client-focused design philosophy. 

Morina’s design expertise has been shaped through impactful roles at Devrouax + Purnell (now dp+partners), ZGF Architects, Fields Devereaux Architects (now HED), Waldon Studio Architects, and HDR. Across these firms, she has served as an owner’s representative, project architect, senior project manager, staffing manager, IDE Ambassador, and LEED Coordinator, demonstrating exceptional versatility and leadership. Her healthcare portfolio alone encompasses approximately three million square feet of work, ranging from small renovations to large-scale clinical research facilities exceeding 850,000 square feet, all grounded in a commitment to improving patient care and strengthening community impact.

Depth of Experience and Leadership in Practice

Currently, Morina serves as a Senior Healthcare Project Manager and employee-owner at HDR, where she brings over 25 years of experience to complex projects requiring strategic thinking, technical rigor, and collaborative leadership. Her ability to navigate challenges while fostering strong relationships with clients, consultants, and communities has earned her a reputation for excellence and integrity across the profession.

Morina’s leadership extends beyond practice and into professional service. She previously served as President of DC NOMA, where she played a pivotal role in advancing the chapter’s mission, strengthening member engagement, and advocating for greater equity within the architecture profession. Her tenure reflected the same values that define her career, intentional mentorship, community-building, and a deep commitment to creating pathways for emerging designers of color.

Mentorship & Advocacy

Beyond her professional practice, Morina is widely recognized for her dedication to developing the next generation of designers. She is a founding contributor to WIELD (Women Inspiring Emerging Leaders in Design), where she helped establish a platform committed to equity, leadership development, and professional advancement. Her ongoing service includes participation in DC NOMA’s Project Pipeline, the NOMA HBCU Professional Development Program, and contributions as a juror, portfolio reviewer, and critic at Howard University, the University of the District of Columbia, and Marymount University. She has also served as an interviewer for the AIAS #AskAnArchitect series, further extending her impact to students nationwide.

Morina’s mentorship is not simply an extension of her work, it is central to her identity as a leader. Through every role she holds, she actively champions access, representation, and career growth for emerging professionals, especially those historically underrepresented in the field.

DC NOMA is proud to recognize Morina Peterson for her exceptional contributions to the profession and her unwavering commitment to uplifting the next generation of design leaders.