Associate / Housing Development Lead (she/her)

Athena Carter, NCARB, LEED AP, is a connector of ideas, people, and processes—working at the intersection of design, construction, and innovation.

As an Associate at FORA, Athena leads construction administration with a builder’s mindset and a systems-thinking approach. Her background in both architecture and general contracting gives her a rare dual fluency in design execution and field coordination. With a sharp eye for interiors and tenant improvements, she’s the kind of person who can spot a finish detail before it becomes a punchlist item—and who knows how to keep complex projects moving with clarity and care.

Athena’s work spans real estate development, AI strategy, brand storytelling, and small-scale housing innovation. She’s playing a key role in shaping FORA’s emerging Community Development Corporation and contributes to firmwide transformation as part of the AI Committee. She also leads our marketing and visual storytelling efforts, helping translate project work into powerful narratives.

In and out of the office, Athena is a lifelong maker. She builds furniture, renovates homes, curates design-forward Airbnbs, and has a soft spot for upcycled objects with a story. She holds a B.Arch. from UC Berkeley and an M.Arch. from CCA, and lives in the Bay Area with her cat and a passport always ready for the next adventure.