Mark Finlay, AIA

President and ceo

President and founder of the firm, Finlay received an Associate Degree in Architectural Engineering from the Wentworth Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. He then continued his studies at the University of Kentucky at Lexington, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture Degree and won top honors for architectural design. During his last semester at the University of Kentucky he traveled to Europe, primarily Paris and Venice, to further his studies in architecture. Upon his return to the U.S., Finlay went on to work for the firm of Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo and Associates in Hamden, Connecticut for seven years. In 1984, Finlay established Mark Finlay Architects. As principal and senior designer of the firm, he oversees and personally directs the design and execution of each of the firm’s projects.

Since its opening, Finlay’s work has been recognized by numerous awards and widely published in Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Golf Digest and Town & Country, among other leading national and regional publications. The firm’s work has been featured in many books including Architect Russell Versaci’s “Roots of Home,” released in 2008. He was inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame in 2018 for his work in architecture. Finlay is a registered architect in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Maryland, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming, and also in Canada. He is also a member of the American Institute of Architecture and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America. Finlay and his wife Jeanne have four children and reside in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Joseph P. Mulligan

Partner

Joseph P. Mulligan a Partner at Mark  Finlay Architects. Originally from Stratford, Connecticut, he graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York. After graduation, he worked at A. J. Palmieri Architects & Associates, where he spent ten years working primarily on small scale commercial properties. From there he moved to Kasper Associates for three years as the Director of Architecture and Engineering for many small and large scale commercial projects. Mulligan joined Mark Finlay Architects in 1999 and was named partner in 2005. Today, he leads the firm’s technical teams in residential and commercial projects. He is a registered architect in the state of Connecticut. Mulligan lives in Stratford, Connecticut with his wife Donna and three sons.

Jay L. Valade

Partner

Jay L. Valade Jr. has been with Mark Finlay Architects full time since 1987.  Originally from Trumbull, Connecticut, Valade attended the University of Notre Dame’s School of Architecture in South Bend, Indiana where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 1987.  During his studies, Valade took part in the University’s year-long Rome Studies Program in Italy.  Upon returning to the United States, he took an internship at Mark Finlay Architects as he continued with his university studies.

After graduation, Valade joined Mark Finlay Architects full time as an Architectural Associate. In 2005, he was named Partner.  As Senior Designer, Valade leads the firm’s design teams for various residential and commercial projects.

Valade lives in Fairfield, Connecticut with his wife, Maire.

Bryan Kocher

Architectural Associate

Bryan Kocher serves as a project manager for local residential and commercial projects.  Bryan is originally from Philadelphia and received a Bachelor of Architecture from Philadelphia University. Prior to joining the firm, Bryan worked on commercial projects at J. Stevens and Associates in Glenside, Pennsylvania.  He then gained experience in high-end custom home design at Stokes Architecture in Philadelphia.  Bryan is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Maureen Kokorda

Senior Architectural Associate

Maureen started at MFA as an intern while attending Wellesley College. She graduated cum laude from Wellesley with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, which included coursework at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Maureen’s enthusiasm for architecture was cultivated through her time spent living abroad, during which she enjoyed exploring Europe’s medieval towns.  As a senior associate, Maureen is an integral part of the interior architecture team.

Matt Lian

Senior Architectural Associate

Matt Lian joined MFA in 2001.  As a project manager, he is responsible for the design, drawing production, and construction administration of several large residential projects throughout New England.  Matt graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.  While at school, Matt was a member of the American Institute of Architecture Students and an avid volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. His work with the program began when he worked on several projects in New Haven, Connecticut, while still in high school at Fairfield Prep.

Debbie Szabo

Architectual Interior Designer

Deborah Szabo is a longstanding associate of the Mark Finlay Architects team and has been here since she joined the firm in 1994.  As a senior associate, Debbie provides expertise in interior architectural design of residential and commercial projects. Debbie began her education at Becker Junior College in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she received an Associate Degree in Interior Design. Continuing her studies, Debbie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design from Winthrop University in South Carolina (an accredited FIDER/CIDA university). Debbie is also certified by the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). An avid photographer, Debbie enjoys traveling – to locations as distant as New Zealand – and discovering new inspirations that contribute to her architectural work.

Kurt Wayne

Architect

Kurt Wayne is a Senior Architect at Mark Finlay Architects, with over 25 years of experience across a broad range of project types and scales. A registered Architect in the state of Connecticut and member of the AIA, Kurt is a highly effective project manager with the ability to coordinate all project activities and build consensus among clients and contractors.  An alumnus of Greens Farms Academy in Westport, Kurt received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lehigh University and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania.  Prior to joining Mark P. Finlay Architects, Kurt worked as a project manager on commercial projects for both Gensler and Studios Architecture in New York City, and on commercial, education, and residential projects at Roger Ferris + Partners in Westport.  Kurt is a founding board member of the Stratfield Village Association in Fairfield, which facilitates community awareness and involvement in the neighborhood. Kurt lives in the Stratfield neighborhood with his wife and two children.

Fabiana Baker

Architectural Associate

Fabiana moved to the US shortly after graduating from Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. She worked several years in New Canaan, CT for an architectural firm and then for MHH, an interior designer. She then gained experience in high-end custom residential projects at Forehand + Lake in Fairfield, CT.

She lives in Norwalk, CT with her husband and daughter.

Andrew Vaccarelli

Architectural Associate

Originally from Prospect, CT, Andrew received a Master’s degree in Architecture from Roger Williams University in 2019. Prior to starting at MFA, he worked at BSC Services, LLC in Wallingford for 6 years developing cognitive skills in commercial construction processes as well as adopting a hands-on work ethic

Andrew maintains a continuous experiential pursuit of greater knowledge and desire to create, formulating his passion for architectural design.

Kaitlyn Cunningham

Architectural Associate

Kaitlyn grew up admiring the beautiful and historic residential properties in her hometown of Greenwich, CT. She enjoyed drawing and art through her young academic career which led her to study architecture. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture from UMass Amherst then went on to earn her Master of Architecture from Roger Williams University in 2019. Kaitlyn joined the MFA design team in November 2021.

In her free time, she coaches a competitive travel cheer team, sees her Italian family for macaroni dinner, and hangs out with friends where she currently resides in Stamford, CT.

Naxhi Semo

Architectural Associate

Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Naxhi attended the University of Texas in Arlington where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture. After graduating he moved to New York City to attend Parsons School of Constructed Environments where he would obtain his Master’s Degree in Architecture. Prior to joining Mark Finlay Architects, Naxhi Co-owned an Italian restaurant in Arlington, Texas. He also worked at Fahey Design Build in New York City as a project manager/draftsman. Naxhi is on the production team for MFA and working towards his license in architecture for the state of Connecticut.

Mary Cavazos

Landscape Architect

Mary Kokorda Cavazos is a Landscape Architect on the MFA team, creating the outdoor spaces where people form their most cherished memories. Mary earned her Master of Landscape Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, and a BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont. She views Landscape Architecture as the confluence of ecology, design, and human experience. Over the past several years she has worked for an engineering firm, a plant nursery, and as a landscape designer for Pellettieri Associates in New Hampshire, developing concepts and planting plans for lakefront vacation homes. She is thrilled to be back in Fairfield County where she grew up. Mary enjoys painting, cooking, exploring walking trails, and fishing – all activities that inform her relationship to the landscape. She and her husband live in Monroe with their family.

Alex Goossen

Executive Project Coordinator

Joining Mark Finlay Architects in the fall of 2017, Alex is native to upstate New York where she graduated from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics. Immediately following graduation, she moved to Los Angeles where she was right hand to Christine London, a high-end Landscape Designer in Beverly Hills. Her passion for architecture and design has shaped the make-up of her work experience, ranging from a luxury furniture showroom to real estate here in Fairfield. Moving back east to be closer to family, she now lives in Stratford, Connecticut.

Tugce Sternemann

Senior Interior Designer

Born in Turkiye, Tugce now calls Fairfield, Connecticut, home. She studied Interior Design at the University of Bridgeport, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. She also has an associate degree in Architecture. During her studies, she completed an internship alongside her professor, specializing in residential projects. After graduating, Tugce began her career as a lighting designer and has since spent more than 10 years working in luxury residential interior design.

Her passion for interiors began at an early age during trips to Ankara with her mother, where she was inspired by the beauty of Turkish textiles and handmade rugs. That appreciation for craftsmanship, texture, and timeless design continues to influence her work today.

With a love for antiquing and fashion, Tugce is always looking for inspiration, whether browsing a favorite antique market, discovering a one-of-a-kind vintage piece, or taking in the latest in fashion and design. She believes the most beautiful spaces are those that feel personal, layered, and collected over time.

Her passion for art, architecture, and design is reflected in everything she does. Bilingual and a devoted animal lover, Tugce brings curiosity, warmth, and a distinctive eye to every project.

Dazjon Freeman

Studio Assistant

Growing up in Connecticut, Dazjon’s passion for creating came about from a young age. Inspired by the classical and contemporary styles of houses along the Long Island Sound, he began a course towards a career within the design field. His appreciation for architecture and interior design introduced him to Mark Finlay Architects, starting as a recurring intern. In his role as Studio Assistant, he supports the team wherever possible, in architecture, interiors or general office work. Dazjon’s involvement in all branches of the firm fosters his ability to learn and understand the many facets of the design industry. Outside the office, Dazjon continues taking architecture classes at a local CT college and continues to pursue his design career ambitions.

Aggie Crescente

Office Manager

Aggie moved to CT from Buenos Aires, Argentina shortly after graduating from St. Paul’s College, a private bilingual British school. She then attended Western Connecticut State University to obtain a degree in Business Administration, after which she began her 21 yearlong Bookkeeping career at a high-end Interior Design/Home furnishing company in Fairfield County, CT. She lives in Trumbull with her daughter Emily.