The Rice Design Alliance

Linda L. Sylvan

(713) 348-3288

sylvan[at]rice[dot]edu

Linda Sylvan, RDA Executive Director since 1988, works directly with the president to oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization. Prior to her appointment as executive director, Sylvan was managing editor of Cite for five years. RDA has joined with other organizations as a founding member of the Organization of Architecture Associations because of Sylvan’s leadership. She holds a B.A. from Rice University.

Mary Swift

(713) 348-5670

mswift[at]rice[dot]edu

Mary Swift, Associate Director, Membership, has been with RDA since 1993. She grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration / Marketing from LSU Baton Rouge – Geaux Tigers! She provides staff support for the Fundraising, Gala, and Membership committees. Mary and her architect husband, Hill, have two grown daughters. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering, and her first passion, waterskiing.

Mary Beth Woiccak

(713) 348-5583

mbwoiccak[at]rice[dot]edu

Mary Beth Woiccak joined the RDA in January 2012 as Assistant Director, Programs. She received her B.F.A. in Communication Design from the State University of New York, Buffalo and graduate studies at Georgia State University in Drawing and Painting. Originally from New York State, she found her way to Texas four years ago. She brings her communication and organizational skills from her art management and art consulting background. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors or on a rainy day making art or reading biographies.

Raj Mankad

(713) 348-4783

mankad[at]rice[dot]edu

Raj Mankad has been Editor of Cite magazine since 2008. He has a B.A. from Northwestern University and a PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Houston. Before joining RDA, he served for four years as Managing Editor of Feminist Economics, an academic journal based at Rice University. Raj is proud that his 6-year-old daughter, Lila, and his wife, Miah Arnold, can write circles around him while his one-year-old son Vishwa runs circles around him.

Cathy Bauer

(713) 348-4876

csbauer[at]rice[dot]edu

Cathy Bauer joined RDA in February 2005 as a part-time employee and handles finances. During her free time she works with interior designers and often travels around the country to assist with installations. She was born and raised in Houston and is in the process of remodeling and enlarging the house she grew up in, located in Meyerland.

Raquel Puccio

(713) 348-4876

rcpuccio[at]rice[dot]edu

Raquel started at RDA in July 2005 as a part-time staff assistant. She attended the University of Dallas, receiving a Bachelors of Arts. When she’s not greeting visitors at the RDA front desk, she’s usually home with her family. Raquel loves cooking, reading good books, visiting friends, and working the daily sudoku.

Lynn Kelly

(713) 256-3244

lynnkellyrda[at]gmail[dot]com

Lynn Kelly was CITE advertising director before starting the RDA Hometown Tour travel program in 2000. A passionate traveler, Lynn discovered she was also an architectural aficionado and loves to brag about the architectural masterpieces she has seen. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin.