Biography
Dena Prastos, AIA, is a nationally recognized architect, civil engineer, and Founder and CEO of Indigo River, a women-owned design studio specializing in waterfront infrastructure, climate adaptation, and future-focused policy. She leads transformative projects for major civic institutions including the NYC Economic Development Corporation, Trust for Governors Island, and Hudson River Park Trust. Her portfolio spans coastal resilience master plans, climate-adaptive infrastructure, and marina design. As lead author of the architectural chapters for New York City's first Waterfront Code, she has shaped critical municipal frameworks. Nationally, Dena chairs the Futures Collaborative at NCARB, guiding strategic discourse on licensure, emerging technology, and climate-responsive practice. A sought-after speaker, she has lectured at Yale and Columbia universities and keynoted major conferences including the 2023 Future Cities Conference and 2025 AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference. She serves on the Planning Board for Grand View-on-Hudson and contributes to the AIA's National Resilience and Adaptation Advisory Group.
