Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture + Design

Founder | Betirri Creative, LLC • Founder, President | Goal Park Foundation

Born in Puebla, Mexico, Betirri is a local artist based in Houston, Texas. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Architecture in 2007 and a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts in 2009, both from the University of Houston. His brand and signature body of work express the crossover between art and sports with a distinctive surrealistic style allowing the viewer to explore the identity and impact of sports in current society.

His portfolio includes hundreds of paintings and over thirty murals. He has acquired international recognition through the exhibit of his art around the world, including the last three FIFA World Cups (Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, and Qatar in 2022).

He is passionate about helping the local community through his philanthropic efforts, including his initiative to enhance seven blocks of the Columbia Tap trail through sports and art activities, calling it Goal Park. Moreover, he has donated hundreds of artworks for charity and fundraiser events since 2012.

Betirri is the organizer of Tour de Mural which is an annual bike tour around his murals in Houston since 2019. He has been the official artist of the Lamborghini Festival in Houston since 2014 and a TEDx speaker in 2022. His latest accomplishment is the design and construction of his iconic pink gallery/studio in East Downtown Houston with the vision to host classes and events motivating younger generations to pursue their artistic endeavors. 

Director of User Experience | Renaissance Learning

Mariel Piña is a human-centered designer and empathetic leader with a passion for creating meaningful user experiences. Originally from Ciudad Juárez, México, and now based in Arizona, she earned her B.S. in Industrial Design from the University of Houston’s Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design in 2011. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Education from Arizona State University, with a focus on educating multilingual learners—further deepening her commitment to inclusive and equitable design.

Mariel serves as Director of User Experience at Renaissance Learning, where she leads cross-functional teams to craft intuitive, user-focused digital solutions in the education technology sector. Her career began in industrial design, where she contributed to award-winning products, including her senior thesis—a dual-function grater and colander—which earned first place at the International Housewares Association student competition and was brought to market. 

Driven by the belief that design should improve lives, Mariel emphasizes collaboration, storytelling, and continuous learning. She is known for cultivating inclusive, feedback-driven environments and for her seamless transition from physical product design to impactful digital experiences, always grounded in empathy and a deep respect for the diverse communities she serves.

CEO & Founder | GreeNexus Consulting, LLC

Driven to create a profitable regenerative legacy for people, nature, and the built environment, Amanda brings an in-depth understanding of architecture and proven success at facilitating some of the most sustainable projects in the nation. Core competencies include: 

• Creative and technical expertise in green strategies and project design issues 
• Leadership in high-performance integrated design 
• Strong collaborative spirit and an inclusive solution-generating approach 
• Ability to inspire clients and achieve their vision within schedule and budget 
• More than 150 LEED certifications including 11 LEED-Platinum buildings 

As founder and Principal of GreeNexus Consulting, Amanda’s talent and passion direct the sustainable design efforts for a variety of project types including: higher education, retail, commercial office, civic, multi-family, and municipal facilities. 

Amanda leverages the expertise of project team members in a collective pursuit of holistic strategies best suited to the project goals. The result is award-winning projects and more than 15 million square feet of LEED-certified space. 

Amanda’s design sensibilities and advocacy in the green building movement make her an active participant in the Texas and southern regional sustainable community. Amanda has served as the co-chair for the AIA Houston Committee on the Environment (COTE) and the COTE regional team leader for the Gulf Coast and Southeast regions. A recognized sustainability expert, Amanda performs third-party verification and influences policy changes. She wrote Appendix R to the Building Code for the City of Houston for guidelines that clarify materials’ reuse. 

As Founder and Principal of GreeNexus, Amanda works primarily in projects at inception with a specialization in Integrative Charettes and Regenerative Design. She currently works closely with her project managers to assist in the development of successful and sustainable buildings.