Our Team
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Marian Pulford – Co-Founder & CEO
Marian Pulford is a strategic leader with a track record of scaling organizations, securing multimillion-dollar funding, and driving technology adoption across industries. She specializes in operational strategy, AI implementation, and fundraising, with a focus on transforming complex challenges into high-growth opportunities.
Before co-founding Kestrel Labs Marian led operations at two strategic consultancies, managing large-scale projects that optimized business workflows through AI-driven solutions. She also spearheaded a $5M capital campaign for RiNo Art District, securing major state grants and orchestrating cross-sector partnerships among government agencies, private donors, and corporate sponsors to bring a transformative community project to life.
Beyond Kestrel Labs, Marian is deeply involved in philanthropy and community leadership and serves on multiple nonprofit boards.
With a background in scaling organizations, raising capital, and implementing technology-driven solutions, Marian is leading Kestrel Labs’ mission to revolutionize compliance and risk management in architecture and construction.
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Austin Pulford, AIA, NCARB – Co-Founder & Architect
Austin Pulford is a licensed architect with over 15 years of experience leading the design and management of large-scale commercial and mixed-use projects, totaling more than 2 million square feet and $750 million in value. As a Senior Architect at Davis Partnership Architects, he specializes in high-rise residential towers, expansive commercial developments, and urban master planning, expertly navigating complex regulatory frameworks.
A recognized expert in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Revit, Austin has pioneered advanced digital workflows that optimize project efficiency, reduce compliance risks, and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration.
At Kestrel Labs, he is leading the development of an AI-powered compliance engine that seamlessly integrates into architects' workflows, eliminating inefficiencies and streamlining regulatory analysis.
Austin’s deep industry expertise ensures Kestrel delivers real-world value, transforming architectural practice through AI-driven automation and positioning the company at the forefront of innovation in architecture and construction technology.
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Dave Tarasi - Founding Advisor
Dave Tarasi is a senior software engineer and former attorney with deep expertise in AI infrastructure, backend systems, and regulatory technology. He has taken three startups from concept to production and brings a rare blend of technical depth and legal fluency. Dave has led backend and data engineering at venture-backed companies where he architected scalable platforms for complex, high-stakes domains.
Before entering tech, Dave spent five years as a corporate attorney focused on private equity and venture fund formation. He holds a JD from the University of Colorado and a Master’s in Computational Data Analytics from Georgia Tech. His experience spans backend development, data architecture, ML prototyping, and legal tech, positioning him as a critical advisor as Kestrel builds out its rule-based AI compliance engine.
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Sámuel Balogh - AI Engineer