The World Stood in Awe.
In March 2022, Ukrainians thwarted Russia’s attempt to capture Kyiv, the nation’s capital. In retaliation, Russia destroyed 70% of the town of Irpin, including the State Tax University, its largest employer.
Build Forward with Strength.
In San Francisco, a group of architects, builders, and university leaders stepped forward to help Ukraine rebuild to scale, even as the war continues. In Fall 2025, this group created a new nonprofit: Build Forward Ukraine, dedicated to advancing resilient design and construction.
We now invite visionary donors and partners to join us. Early conversations with global funders are promising, and we want you at the table with us. Together with Ukrainian universities, government leaders, and NGOs, we are developing a model for reconstruction that is rooted in partnership, learning, and resilience.
How Partnership Sparks a Movement
The Hero City of Irpin
Today, we seek support for a Diplomacy Trip to London in January 2026
This trip will guide Ukrainian leaders in the final design of STU, a flagship for how education and architecture can transform a university and unite to inspire a nation.
Trip budget: $25,000
Your contribution: Priceless
Led by architectural firm, Stantec over one week, STU leaders will:
Learn from cutting-edge campus design and pedagogy at Oxford and Cambridge.
Study university environments that foster innovation, democratic thinking, and student success.
Build partnerships with UK universities and educators.
Share Ukraine’s story of rebuilding with global media and design leaders.
Meet the Build Forward Ukraine Team
Build Forward Ukraine Board of Directors
With over 35 years of expertise in the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage in the US and abroad, David Wessel has dedicated his career to integrating architectural conservation theory and methodology with practical, hands-on fieldwork. As a principal at Architectural Resources Group and the CEO of ARG Conservation Services, a design/build conservation construction firm, David holds ultimate responsibility for all heritage conservation initiatives. Currently, David serves as the board chair of Filoli, a property of the National Trust located in Woodside, California. Additionally, he is a member of the board for the U.S. Federal National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, as well as the Center of Innovation.
David is the BFU President
David Wessel, AIA
Jamienne S. Studley has served as President of Skidmore College, WASC Senior College and University Commission (international accrediting agency), and Public Advocates, and as general counsel and deputy undersecretary of the US Department of Education. A graduate of Barnard College and Harvard Law School, she lives in Northern California and is active in education policy, student success, and arts organizations. Her grandfather was Ukrainian.
Jamienne is the BFU Secretary
Jamienne S. Studley
Michael J. Romo, CFRE, has been an administrator, fundraiser, and fundraising consultant for educational, religious, social service, environmental, and historic preservation organizations for over 30 years. He has directed successful capital campaigns for the restoration of Mission Dolores in San Francisco, Marin Catholic High School, the Nature Conservancy of Alaska, the Diocese of Santa Rosa, San Francisco Heritage, and the building of the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California. He is currently the fund-raising consultant for the Mission San Juan Bautista Preservation Fund and a Trustee of the Diocese of Monterey Bishop Harry A. Clinch Endowment Fund. He has an M.A. degree in English from the University of Oregon and a B.A. degree in English from the University of San Francisco.
Michael J. Romo
Wendy Hillis
UC Berkeley, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Campus Architect
Wendy has served as Assistant Vice Chancellor at Campus Architect at UC Berkeley since 2019. In this role, she provides strategic and long-range planning for the programming, design, and development of campus properties, including buildings, infrastructure, and landscape projects. Before joining UC Berkeley, she was the University Architect at Tulane University and the Campus Historic Preservation Architect at UNC Chapel Hill.
Wendy is the BFU Treasurer
Build Forward Ukraine Advisors
Margie leads efforts at Build Forward Ukraine to provide innovative and proven ideas to assist Ukrainian reconstruction efforts, even as the war continues. She has held senior leadership positions at several institutions and government agencies, including the American Institute of Architects-San Francisco, San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Center for Innovation. She has visited Ukraine twice since the full-scale invasion.
Margie O’Driscoll
This project is more than a university reconstruction—
it’s about hope and renewal.
In 2026, we will deepen our partnerships with universities, philanthropy, and governments; engage a local Ukrainian architect to help realize the design of STU, and share our process widely. By documenting each stage, we aim to offer both lessons learned and best practices as the world mobilizes to support Ukraine’s recovery.