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"Design fundamentally impacts the daily life of people. Architects are armed with aggressively creative ideas and innovative solutions to complex problems. With more designers taking leadership and focusing their talent on socially responsible design, the world would be a better place."

Tina Hovsepian, an architect and social entreprenuer, graduated from the University of Southern California with her Bachelors of Architecture in 2009. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tina always had a consuming interest in humanitarian causes, especially the plight of the homeless on Downtown’s infamous Skid Row. During her time at USC she had the opportunity to synthesize this interest with her architectural studies. In 2007 she designed and built a prototype of a temporary shelter made of folded cardboard, Cardborigami. Tina received a Prize from the Steven's Institute of Innovation for Cardborigami as Most Innovative at the 2009 USC Undergraduate Symposium for Creative Work. That was the first time an Architecture student had won an award in this school-wide category.

Since then, Tina has successfully launched a non-profit with the shelter as the centerfold and designed programs to support those who have lost their homes. As Executive Director she has garnered support, attracted media attention, and raised over $1.3 million in funds and in-kind services. Tina was recently titled Mother of Invention for her innovation and ingenuity in the realm of social entrepreneurship. Hovsepian’s shelter has been requested by over 92 different countries and she is featured on the Huffington PostNew York TimesLA TimesInterior Design Magazine, and Archinect.