Comprised of distinguished professionals from various fields, who can bring different perspectives to the Foundation’s deliberations and strategies, the Board of Trustees addresses current and future needs for sustainable construction, taking into account architectural, engineering, environmental, economic and social issues.

Christian Benimana, Co-Executive Director and Senior Principal, MASS Design Group, Rwanda is dedicated to empowering leaders who will design a more equitable, just, and sustainable world. He is a recognized global thought leader with extensive knowledge of the architectural industry in Rwanda and East Africa. He joined the Board of the Holcim Foundation in May 2024.

Loreta Castro Reguera, Design Director & Founder, Taller Capital and Professor of Architecture, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico brings her expertise in water-sensitive urban design and public space revitalization from extensive work in Latin America. She is a former Holcim Foundation Awards prize winner for La Quebradora Hydraulic Park that applies sustainable design to tackle both infrastructural and social challenges of urban water management.

Nollaig Forrest, Chief Sustainability Officer and member of the Group Executive Committee, Holcim Ltd, Switzerland, provides vast experience in leading industry transformation and stakeholder engagement with a focus on decarbonization and circularity in the built environment.

Both Loreta and Nollaig joined the Board of the Holcim Foundation in November 2023.

Enormous thank-you to outgoing Board members

As part of the Board’s planned succession process, Alejandro Aravena, Brinda Somaya, Marilyne Andersen and Magali Anderson have stepped down over the past year. Chairperson of the Holcim Foundation, Maria Atkinson AM recognized the important contribution from the outgoing Board members.

Alejandro Aravena, Executive Director, Elemental, Chile and Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize 2016 stepped down after a decade of dedicated service. He participated in multiple Holcim Foundation Awards juries, delivered keynote speeches, and panel discussions. His visionary contributions have been invaluable in advancing our mission.

Marilyne Andersen, Professor of Sustainable Construction Technologies, EPFL, Switzerland served on the Board for 9 years. She played a pivotal role as the head of the Academic Committee which provided technical competence to the Foundation, and as a Holcim Foundation Awards jury member across all five world regions.

Brinda Somaya, Principal Architect, Somaya & Kalappa Consultants, India joined the Board in 2017, bringing a rich perspective from her extensive background in Asia restoration work. Her long-standing involvement with the Foundation, even before her formal Board membership, underscores her commitment and impact on our global efforts.

Magali Anderson, former Chief Sustainability Officer, Holcim Ltd joined the Board in 2019. As a change-leader in sustainability, innovation, and health and safety, her contributions left a lasting impression on the Foundation’s evolution.