Illya is a Professor, New York City College of Technology (CUNY), a recognized leader in climate adaptation, mitigation, resilient planning and regenerative design with more than 30 years experience. He consults with design teams across the US and the world. Currently, he is leading the AIA National COP 28 delegation. He has been appointed to the New York State Climate impact assessment team by Governor a Hochul and served on New York City Mayor Adams’ transition team for resilience and infrastructure. Professionally he is working with many cities and stake holders from the city of Houston on Vision 2020, throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, USVI, with indigenous communities such as the Kalinago first people of the Island of Dominica, and Hau’ula community in Hawai’i. He recently worked as part of a national task force developing a 5 volume set of resilient housing guidelines with HUD (2023)– Housing and Urban Development. In 2018 he worked with ANCR/ICC on develop community resilience benchmarks. He advised the City of New York (2019 & 2024) and USVI (2019) on Hazard Mitigation Plans. Prior he served as a Technical Advisor to ASPR-Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response informing the NDFR-National Disaster Recovery Framework. His guidance is evident in NYC The Department of City Planning - Housing Retrofit Guidelines, FLASH - Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Resilient Housing Guidelines and Enterprise Community Partners Multi-Family Resilient Strategies and the 2019 Keep Safe: A Guide to Resilient Housing for Island Communities. He contributed to the 4th edition of the AIA Disaster Assistance Handbook. He co-founded the AIANY DfRR Design for Risk & Reconstruction committee serving as co-chair for 10 years, playing a key role to the Post Sandy Initiative Report. Azaroff has been an SME to the Rockefeller Foundation 100RC, New York City, the City of Oakland Park Florida and RCPT- Regional Catastrophic Planning Team and the DCP Housing Recovery Center in NYC. He is an instructor with NDTPC-National Disaster Training Preparedness Center and is a trainer for post disaster damage assessment (SAP) by Cal EMA. He has degrees in Geography and Architecture with research emphasis in climate-related disasters and regenerative building strategies. Illya served on the AIA National Strategic Council 2016-2018 and is currently serving on the AIA National Board of Directors (2023-25). Prior to coming to New York Illya worked in Berlin Germany and Milan Italy.

McKenzie Jones is USDN's Resilience Hub Director. In this role, McKenzie provides vision and leadership to USDN’s Resilience Hub programs and is responsible for continuing to build out Resilience Hubs in the US and Canada and support the evolution of the program. McKenzie supports members in planning, design, development and implementation of Resilience Hubs. McKenzie has spent over a decade working with local and tribal governments to amplify just solutions to the climate crisis and grow community resilience. Before joining USDN, she worked for the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, supporting a national peer-learning network of Tribal climate practitioners. McKenzie served as the first Sustainability Manager for the City of Sedona, Arizona and Sustainability Specialist for the City of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Maria M. Galarza is a registered architect and passionate local government professional with a diverse range of expertise. She is a skilled senior project manager, successfully leading teams and delivering complex projects. Most recently she led the engagement for the planning of the first Resilience Hub to have back-up solar energy storage in the City of Detroit. Maria's abilities extend to comprehensive planning work, where she has contributed to developing and implementing strategic plans that shape the built environment. Her expertise in capital implementation strategies has enabled the city to optimize resource allocation and maximize impacts. With a keen focus on the intersection of the built environment, resilience, and civic life, Maria understands the importance of creating spaces that enhance functionality, foster community interactions, and withstand challenges. Maria obtained her dual master’s degree in architecture and urban and regional planning from the University of Michigan.