Michelle Acosta, AIA, ACHA, EDAC

As health practice leader for the U.S. Southwest region, Michelle drives growth through business development, partners with local studios to create new opportunities and recruits new talent. As the conduit to our global health practice in the region, she connects regional expertise to our global resources to inform and deliver design. 

“I love solving the complex challenges of healthcare design, a field that uniquely combines technical complexity with profound human impact.”

Over her career, Michelle has developed a specialization in healthcare and science planning and design. Familiar with diverse planning modes, including integrated project delivery, she skillfully leads projects from programming through construction. Her portfolio spans a range of project typologies, from acute care tenant improvements and large ambulatory care facilities to campus master plans, replacement hospitals and labs. For three years, Michelle led our Phoenix architecture studio as managing principal. An action-oriented leader with a track record of providing excellent design and client service, she has gained a reputation for improving collaborative processes, connecting with communities and mentoring staff. 

Michelle’s commitment to mentorship is not just a part of her professional life; it’s a deeply ingrained value. She believes in the transformative power of mentorship and is dedicated to providing others with the same care and attention she received early in her career.  

A natural leader, Michelle’s professional achievements underscore her dedication to and expertise in leading in the industry. She currently sits on the AIA Phoenix Metro Academy of Architecture for Health Steering Committee, is a member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and participates in the Healthcare Innovation Council. In 2021, Encyclopedia Britannica honored her as one of the “20 Young Shapers of the Future Under 40,” in 2018, she received the Young Architects Award from The American Institute of Architects. Her active participation in AIA, including a pilot mentoring program with the College of Fellows and serving as a juror for the 2020 Architecture Awards and the prestigious 20-Year Award, further highlights her commitment to advancing the design profession.