Since 2009 , Martha Thorne has been the Executive Director . The director asks many people , including past winners , academics , critics and others `` with expertise and interest in the field of architecture '' to suggest possible winners . The Executive Director of the prize , as of 2009 , Martha Thorne , solicits nominations from a range of people including past Laureates , academics , critics and others `` with expertise and interest in the field of architecture '' .