Rebecca Sharkey is a Principal at EHDD, a West Coast Architecture and Interiors firm based in San Francisco and Seattle. Through projects including the recent transformation of KQED’s Headquarters in San Francisco and the AIA Headquarters Renewal in Washington DC, Rebecca prioritizes climate action through design with a focus on reimagining existing buildings and strengthening the ecological, cultural, and financial resilience of our communities. With additional expertise in community, cultural, and higher education facilities, she leads with an eye towards creating places that inspire and engage, and designing welcoming and nurturing environments where people and organizations thrive.

A licensed architect with over seven years of professional experience, Patricia believes in the ethical responsibility of designers to create healthy human habitats that exist in harmony with their surrounding natural context. She seeks unique design solutions for every project, integrating ecological aesthetics and sustainable techniques with considerations for wellbeing and equity into visions that will positively impact people and nature. She prioritizes research and evidence-based approaches, leveraging measurable information to ensure the very best possible building performance and environments for all the people that inhabit them. Patricia’s work spans many different project types, including higher education facilities, non-profits, interior office & event space renovations, high-end residences, and museums. She is enjoying her role as a project architect and sustainable design specialist with EHDD in Seattle, WA.

Sindu has managed several of the firm’s highest profile projects, including the historic Johnson Building transformation of the Central Library at Boston Public Library (2017 Harleston Parker Medal), Taussig Cancer Center at the Cleveland Clinic and the Boston Museum of Science. Over her 26 years in architecture including 10 years at William Rawn Associates, Sindu recently completed the Net-Zero Emissions and LEED v.4 Platinum Cambridge Community Complex which is a AIA COTE Top Ten Award winner. She is currently working on the Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts at Colby College, the South Residential Village at Case Western Reserve University and the Boston Museum of Science. 

Sindu serves as a Library Trustee for the town of Milton, MA and serves on the board of the Boston Society of Architects. Sindu is also the Chair of the Society of Indo-American Architects and Designers. Sindu is committed to helping civic and private institutions create welcoming and inclusive environments for all.

Ganesh Ramachandran, AICP, is the Deputy Director of Planning at the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), Commonwealth of Massachusetts. DCAMM is responsible for capital planning, public building construction, facilities management, and real estate services for the Commonwealth. Ganesh oversees capital planning for Health and Human Services agencies and the Judiciary, comprising of 11.5 GSF of state portfolio. In addition, he manages the Designer Selection Process for the Office of Planning in collaboration with the Designer Selection Board and the user agency leadership.

Prior to public service, Ganesh was a Senior Urban Designer and Planner at Goody Clancy, CBT Architects, Wallace Roberts and Todd, and Skidmore Owings and Merrill, where he contributed to campus planning, neighborhood planning, and affordable housing redevelopment efforts in more than 30 cities and municipalities across the US and abroad. In 2022, Ganesh successfully led the citizens ballot measure to fund affordable housing, open space conservation, and historic preservation through the Community Preservation Act in Natick, MA, where he resides. He Chairs the Natick Affordable Trust Fund and co-chairs the Housing Committee at the Boston Society of Architects.

Ganesh earned his graduate degrees in public administration (Harvard Kennedy School), urban design (University of California, Berkeley), and architecture (Ohio State University) and his undergraduate degree in architecture (National Institute of Technology, Trichy, India)

Yoonjee Koh is Director of Intermediate Architecture Studios and faculty at the Boston Architectural College (BAC), an open-admissions and practice-based institution. She is a board member of Architexx, which strives for gender equity in architecture. She is an associate editor and board member at Journal of Architectural Education. Yoonjee received her B.Arch from Cornell University, and her M.Arch and Masters in History and Philosophy in Design Studies from Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Robert L. Easter, FAIA, NOMAC, has been the chair of the Department of Architecture at Hampton University since 2008. He has overseen the reaccreditation effort of the professional program, securing an eight-year affirmation of the program's standing with the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Professionally, he is President of KEi architects in Richmond, Virginia. A graduate of Hampton University, he also holds a Master of Architecture degree in Architecture / Urban Design from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He is the 2023 recipient of the AIA's Whitney M. Young Award, a past .national president of NOMA and the immediate Past-President of AIA-Virginia.

Glenn W. Birx, FAIA, is a Vice President and member of the Board of Directors of Ayers Saint Gross. He was the Chief Operating Officer for twenty years. He has served on the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland School of Architecture for 25 years, and is a past Chair. He is currently Chair of the AIA Trust, and has been a Trustee for five years. He was an editor of the Architects Handbook of Professional Practice, and wrote the section on Defining Project Services. He was been involved in the design of technically complex building types across the United States and internationally. For over 50 years Glenn lead the technical and management side of the firm, overseeing contracts, quality control, construction document QC, and construction administration. Glenn endeavors to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of architects through his work as past president and board member of the Maryland and Baltimore AIA chapters, and through the AIA Trust.

Daniel S. McKelvey, AIA, LEED AP, NIBS, Principal, Ayers Saint Gross

Dan is an architect with the architectural firm of Ayers Saint Gross in Baltimore, Maryland where he manages projects from design through construction in the firm’s Arts and Sciences Studio. Dan has over 40 years of experience in architectural design and construction with project types in higher education, performing arts, and health care. Dan is committed to architectural education and has spoken at numerous international and national conferences and academic institutions. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, a LEEP Accredited Professional, and a member of the National Institute of Building Sciences and is the co-founder of the Building Enclosure Council-Baltimore, an organization that brings building professionals together to share ideas and experiences on the built environment.

Dan’s current project, among other completed buildings on the Johns Hopkins medical campus, is the design and construction of the CMSC North Tower Addition, a project that includes over 440,000 SF of new and renovated space, with 200,000 SF of research laboratory space.

The recently completed Skip Viragh Building at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. A 10-story, 184,000 SF building focused on an interdisciplinary approach to treating cancer through an array of diagnostic and treatment programs and multidisciplinary clinics. This building occupies a prominent hilltop location on the campus and in the city.

The Nelson Harvey Building, a 10-story, 180,000 SF facility renovated and repurposed to provide patient care for the Department of Medicine, pulmonology, gastroenterology, and cardiac medicine. To address the needs of the aging Nelson Harvey Building in this renovation project required an innovative and sustainable approach in developing a hybrid double-skin exterior envelope that resulted in a high-performance thermal skin with a modern design aesthetic that is energy efficient, environmentally sustainable, and highly resilient.

A Partner in the Design Professionals Defense & Counseling Group, primarily representing and counseling architects and engineers. He has represented design professionals, in a wide range of projects. As an experienced trial attorney, Mr. Furukawa has litigated complex construction delay and cost claims, construction defect, land use and personal injury lawsuits. Mr. Furukawa has special expertise in legal technology. He supervises effective review and production of electronic documents for leading design and real estate firms.

Kristi Avalos, President/CEO of Accessology Too, LLC, is a nationally renowned leader in providing accessibility consulting services and is a sought-after speaker with a knack for using an upbeat approach to help others understand the complexities of ADA compliance. With over 40 years of experience, she provides expert witnessing on ADA, 504, Federal Housing Administration, and Air Carrier Access Act legal cases. Kristi has been involved with the United States Access Board, Department of Justice, and other agencies and organizations that have shaped accessibility legislation and trends since the early 1980’s. In 1990 Kristi founded Accessology Too, LLC which is a national leader in providing accessibility consulting services and is one of the largest U.S. firms dedicated solely to access issues. With Accessology, Kristi has worked on accessibility compliance with numerous multi‐million-dollar projects, including education institutions of every type and size, during all stages from schematics to construction. Since 2005 Accessology has specialized in the development, execution, and monitoring of the required ADA Transition Plans for Title II entities to help them avoid access-related litigation since so much litigation is tied to not having a Transition Plan on file. Kristi Avalos and her team at Accessology are committed to removing structural and attitudinal barriers that adversely impact people with disabilities

Catherine Pfeiffenberger joined Jamestown in 2019 to head up the development and construction unit. She works with the team to expand the brand by focusing on development opportunities where Jamestown can deliver its unique approach to creating vibrant mixed-use communities. Recent developments include: mass timber CLT office building with locally sourced timber, a 400 unit flex/hospitality living concept and a rental multi family lifestyle building designed for the 55+ demographic. In her previous role at Skanska, Ms. Pfeiffenberger was a founding member of the development group where she helped to establish the brand and grow the platform throughout the US

Tom S. Chung FAIA, LEED BD+C is a Principal at Leers Weinzapfel Associates, recipient of the national AIA Firm Award. Tom is recognized for his creation of a nourishing public realm by pioneering sustainable Mass Timber Architecture, celebrating material and craft, and sharing his knowledge with current and future generation of architects. He has led the firm’s mass timber design for the John W. Olver Design Building at University of Massachusetts Amherst, one of the most advanced cross laminated timber building in the US and Adohi Hall at University of Arkansas, the largest cross laminated timber building in the US at the time of its completion. Both were awarded the national AIA Education Building Award and Housing Award, respectively. Tom speaks frequently at conferences and workshops throughout the country sharing his experience in mass timber design with his colleagues. He also teaches design studios focusing on Mass Timber, having taught at various Universities and currently is a Professor of Practice at Auburn University. Born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in the US, Tom received his degrees in Architecture from University of Virginia and the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University.

Annie works to inspire and advance positive change by accelerating sustainable development through the use of certified wood products. Her experience in product transparency, climate change, and the circular economy, coupled with her passion to improve communities near and far, supports that mission. As an accredited LEED Green Associate, Chair U.S. Green Building Council MN, Middle St. Croix Watershed board member, and Council Member for the City of Afton, Minnesota, Annie casts a wide net in efforts to improve the world. Her love for all living things fuels her work and play - where you’ll find skiing or biking in the mountains or chillaxing along the banks of the National Wild & Scenic St. Croix River.

Bernhard has over a decade of international experience, delivering projects in Canada, US, Germany, Portugal, Israel and Switzerland. Within the timber design and construction world, he is involved all along the vertical supply chain. From overall or specialized building designs, procurement, production drawings, logistics and site installations to product R&D and developing new markets. Though Bernhard’s expertise and heart lies in timber engineering, he is accomplished in all major building materials.

Dr. Black founded the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, a nonprofit organization that oversees the International GREENGUARD Certification Programs. She founded Air Quality Sciences, Inc. (now UL Air Quality Sciences) a testing and research leader focused on chemical and biological air pollution. Dr. Black currently leads ULRI’s non-profit Chemical Insights Research Institute whose mission is to deliver scientific insight policymakers, healthcare providers, business leaders and consumers depend on to make informed environmental health decisions.

Birgitte Messerschmidt is Director, Research, National Fire Protection Association. She is responsible for NFPA’s Research Strategy, Research on fire problems and other safety issues, Data collection efforts to maintain NFPA’s fire incident and fire service databases and the NFPA Research library. She has a M. Sc. In Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark and has spent her entire career working on fire safety issues. Making our built environment more resilient to fire through better understanding of the impact of construction products and methods, as well as testing procedures and policy has been a career long passion. She has been involved in testing and research as well as standardization and advocacy. She has published and presented numerous papers on fire safety issues.

Holley Henderson (LEED Fellow, WELL AP + Fitwel Ambassador) is the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Education for Chemical Insights Research Institute. Her background includes interior design, sustainability consulting and providing education for the built environment community. A frequent speaker on sustainable design issues, she has presented for many groups including Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, IFMA World Workplaces, NeoCon, Greenguard Summit, Hospitality & Design (HD) Conference, CBRE World Conference, the International Convention Center Conference, as well as numerous professional associations, academic institutions and corporate audiences. Holley is author of the book Becoming a Green Building Professional. 

Dr. Horner’s research includes: indoor mold growth, water losses, microbial VOCs, indoor allergens, aerobiology, and emissions of ultrafine particles and ozone. He taught IAQ training, has written numerous peer reviewed papers, and presented at numerous conferences.

He has responded to hurricanes and conducted field work investigations in courthouses, offices, hotels, hospitals, housing, assisted living, schools, defense factories and marine vessels.

He served on the IAQA BoD and serves on ASHRAE 62.1 and other IAQ-related committees.

Richard Piacentini is the President and CEO of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Since 1994 he has led the Pittsburgh institution from public to private management and is responsible for its green transformation including: the opening of the first LEED® certified visitor’s center in a public garden; the first LEED® certified greenhouse (LEED® Platinum EBOM); the Tropical Forest Conservatory, one of the most energy-efficient conservatories in the world; the Nature Lab, a zero-energy Petal certified modular classroom; the zero-energy and LEED Platinum and WELL Platinum certified Exhibit Staging Center; and the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, a net-zero energy and water building and the only building in the world to meet the Living Building Challenge®, LEED® Platinum, WELL® Platinum (the first), SITES™ Platinum (the first), BREEAM Outstanding for Operations and Maintenance (first in U.S.), Fitwel 3 Star and Zero-Energy certifications. 

The sustainability efforts Piacentini initiated at Phipps are based on recognizing the vital connections between people, plants, health, and the planet. This regenerative based way of thinking influences the organization’s actions and programs. 

Piacentini is a past Chair and Treasurer of the Board of the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) and now serves as chair of its Advisory Board. He is a member of the Mission and Community Needs Committee for Magee-Womens Hospital, the Pennsylvania One Health Task Force, Biophilic Design Initiative Advisory Board, and the Advisory Committee for the Biophilic Cities Network. He is a Past President and Treasurer of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), and has received ILFI, US Green Building Council (USGBC), and APGA leadership awards.

Piacentini holds a MS in Botany from the University of Connecticut, an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island. He is a Registered Pharmacist and a WELL® Accredited Professional.

Chris Minnerly has been practicing architecture for nearly 35 years with a focus on creating environments that inspire our imagination. He currently works for a small real estate development firm that focuses on complex transformational projects. While a principal and shareholder at the Design Alliance Architects he led the design of the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, a certified Living Building. He has been an adjunct studio instructor at Carnegie Mellon University.

Sonja Bochart IIDA, LEED AP BD&C, WELL AP, LFA, director at Lens – Shepley Bulfinch, has an extensive background in creating spaces to support social and ecological well-being. She works nationally as a regenerative design and development strategist - guiding teams and projects in living-systems approaches. Sonja is one of the foremost facilitators for integrative workshops, including consulting for LEED, Living Building Challenge, and WELL Building design charrettes.