Domesticity Design jury.

Christopher Garris

Principal, Perkins + Will

Sharon Lee

Executive Director, Low Income Housing Institute

Joyce Sheperd

Councilmember Distric 12, City of Atlanta

Gwen Washington

Current resident of the Santa Fe Villas

Nisha Botchwey

Associate Professor, Georgia Tech School of City and Regional Planning

Botchwey is an Associate Professor of City and Regional Planning at the Georgia Institute of Technology and an adjunct professor in Emory University’s School of Public Health. An expert in health and the built environment as well as community engagement, she holds graduate degrees in both urban planning and public health. Dr. Botchwey co-directs the National Physical Activity Research Center, PARC, both the Atlanta Neighborhood Quality of Life and Health Dashboard and the data dashboard for Health, Environment and Livability for Fulton County, and directs the Built Environment and Public Health Clearinghouse.

Dr. Botchwey’s research focuses on health and the built environment, health equity, community engagement, and data dashboards for evidence-based planning and practice. She is co-author of Health Impact Assessment in the USA (2014), convener of a national expert panel on interdisciplinary workforce training between the public health and community design fields, and author of numerous articles, scientific presentations and workshops. Dr. Botchwey has won distinctions including an NSF ADVANCE Woman of Excellence Faculty Award, a Hesburgh Award Teaching Fellowship from Georgia Tech and the Georgia Power Professor of Excellence Award, a Rockefeller-Penn Fellowship from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing and a Nominated Changemaker by the Obama White House’ Council on Women and Girls. She has also served on the Advisory Committee to the Director for the Centers of Disease Control Prevention, is a Social Sciences Panel Member for the Ford Foundation’s Fellowship Program, and member of the Voices for Healthy Kids Strategic Advisory Committee for the American Heart Association.

Merrill Elam

Principal, Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects

Merrill Elam is a Principal in the firm of Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to her practice she lectures and teaches frequently, having served most recently as Visiting Faculty at the Georgia Institute of Technology in fall 2015.

In 2014, Merrill Elam was selected as the inaugural Design Leader in Architecture, Architectural Record. With Mack Scogin, she received 2013 Shutze Medal from Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award in Architecture, a 2008 Honorary Fellowship in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the 2006 Boston Society of Architects Harleston Parker Medal, and a 1996 Chrysler Award for Innovation in Design. The American Academy of Arts and Letters awarded the firm the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in 2011 and an Academy Award in 1995. The Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects awarded the firm the Sliver Metal for Consistent Pursuit and Achievement in Architectural Design in 1989 and the Silver Metal Award in 2012.

Current projects include a Boathouse and Lodge at A Gathering Place for Tulsa, Oklahoma; One Museum Place in Atlanta, Georgia; projects for Tishman Speyer including the Queens Plaza in Queens, New York, and Three Alliance Center in Atlanta Georgia. Recent work includes the United States Courthouse in Austin, Texas; and the Yale Health Center at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

Christopher Garris

Principal, Perkins + Will

Chris Garris is an advocate for design excellence both on individual project teams as well as office-wide initiatives. His enthusiasm and curiosity guides him to meaningful solutions to complex problems. As a senior leader in the office, he guides his teams with his experience in cultural, higher education, programming and office projects.

Chris’s broad based experience leads him to think creatively about project opportunities from programming and site considerations, to the details which reinforce the project’s conceptual basis.

Chris is a native of North Carolina and earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from North Carolina State University. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and a member of the American Institute of Architects.

Michael Hopkins

NPU-X Chair, City of Atlanta

I am a home owner who has lived in Atlanta for the last 25 years. During this time, I have been actively involved in both my neighborhood (Hammond Park) and Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPUX). I am the current 2017 NPUX Chair, a position I have held since 2015. Prior to this, I served as the NPUX Vice Chair for 3 years. I have been an active member of the Hammond Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA) since its inception and over this ten- year period of time have served each year in an executive role (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer). My primary focus with these organizations has been to be a steward for the people of the community to ensure their voices are heard and their needs met through the various agencies and governmental groups in the City and County.

In addition to the leadership roles I have held, I have also volunteered with C. A.M.P. and sat on their Board were I assisted with plans to revitalize and bring new businesses to Dill Ave, Capital View, Capital View Manor, and Sylvan Hills. I have also been involved in the Metropolitan TAD and sat on the Cleveland Avenue TAD Advisory Committee. I currently serve on the Lakewood Amphitheatre Oversite Committee and I have been recognized by Georgia Secretary of State to be one of Georgia’s most outstanding citizens.

In addition to holding a degree in Early Childhood Development, with a minor in Business Management and am currently working towards a (Biosciemce Degree). I pride myself on standing up for my community and citizens being treated fairly, with dignity and respect.

Tim Keane

Commissioner, City of Atlanta Department of City Planning

The Office of the Commissioner provides leadership, policy direction, and centralized staff support for the Offices of Planning, Buildings, and Housing. Support services include administration, budget, personnel management, legislative liaison, policy collaboration and coordination and technical support and workload functions.

Sharon Lee

Executive Director, Low Income Housing Institute

SHARON LEE is the founding (1991) Executive Director of the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), a non-profit organization based in Seattle. LIHI develops and operates housing for low-income and homeless people, and also provides a range of supportive service programs to assist tenants in maintaining stable housing and increasing self-sufficiency.

Sharon oversees a staff of 140 engaged in housing development, management, advocacy and supportive services. LIHI staff has developed over 4,000 units of rental and homeownership housing in Washington State, including transitional, permanent, and housing first. LIHI owns over 1,800 units serving individuals, families, seniors, homeless people and those with special needs. LIHI operates 3 Urban Rest Stops to meet the hygiene needs of homeless people. LIHI is a leader in developing green affordable housing. Lee is Executive Editor of the statewide Housing Washington newsletter and is an advocate on issues of housing justice, housing preservation, and ending homelessness.

She holds a Master of Architecture and a Master of City Planning from M.I.T. and a B.A. with honors from the University of Pennsylvania. LIHI’s housing has won numerous national and local awards for design excellence and environmental sustainability

Jacob Lindsey

Director, City of Charleston Department of Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability

Jacob Lindsey, Director of the City of Charleston Department of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability. Lindsey received his degree in Urban Planning from the University of Georgia and was appointed by then Mayor Joe Riley to head the City’s planning department in 2015.

Garfield Peart

NOMA and Renew Atlanta

Garfield Peart is the Program Management Officer for Vertical Portfolio of the Renew Atlanta Bond Infrastructure Program. He is directly responsible for management of the Vertical Renew Atlanta staff, coordinating the development of Portfolio and project level scopes, schedules and budgets with project staff, and assuring that all requisite approvals are obtained as required. As PMO, he administers the over $65 million dollar Portfolio which comprises of citywide and local projects including the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fitness and Aquatic Center, upgrade police and fire stations and recreation centers across the City, public art restoration and technology and equipment upgrades for City’s Video Integration Center.

A career project manager and architect for both the public and private sector, he has personally developed, managed and negotiated over $650 million dollars in federal, state, domestic and international design as well as construction, and maintenance projects. He is a registered architect in Georgia and Virginia. He received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree at Howard University in Washington, DC, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Sustainability Business with a concentration in Green Development from Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon. He is a Lieutenant Colonel with the Air Force Reserves.

Garfield is passionate about protecting our natural resources while ensuring the availability of those resources for future generations. He uses his architectural design, project management, sustainable business practice and military leadership skills to address long-standing development and building design issues in our communities.

Garfield is President of his own sustainability design firm, Syntony Design Collaborative, LLC, where he focuses on using a systems approach to complete designs in dynamic harmony with nature and protects our natural resources. Garfield hopes to facilitate collaborative efforts on all levels to create more fully integrated, healthy and sustainable buildings and communities not only for the Atlanta metropolitan region but the nation.

Garfield currently serves as the Chair of the Atlanta Urban Design Commission and Design Committee Co-Chair for the Sweet Auburn WORKS Mainstreet Organization focused on the economic revitalization of the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood in downtown Atlanta. He is on the National Board as the South Region Vice-President for the National Organization of Minority Architects. Garfield’s honors include the 2016 James Gant Fausett, FAIA Service to the Profession Award by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and 2012 Ford Freedom Unsung Heroes Award, by the Ford Motor Company and Atlanta Center for Civil and Human Rights, for his positive impact on his community and ability to enlighten and inspire others. He was also featured in the 2002 Atlanta Journal Constitution article, “Up Close: Garfield Peart”; an effort that recognizes Atlanta’s up and coming business people.

Joyce Sheperd

Councilmember Distric 12, City of Atlanta

Rising from experience as chair of her Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU X) and other community organizations, Atlanta City Councilmember Joyce Sheperd is in the full swing of her fourth term as council representative for District 12. She is a champion for community education, neighborhood safety, economic development, jobs and more. Sheperd is a listener, a community advocate, and friend.

Sheperd holds leadership positions all over the City Of Atlanta. Dedicated to service on Atlanta City Council, Sheperd is a committee member of Community Development and Human Services, City Utilities, Transportation and Zoning Committee. Fervent about the environment, Sheperd is the founder and Co-Chair of the Code Enforcement Commission and a board member of Keep Atlanta Beautiful. She also is a member of the Homeless Continuum of Care. Sheperd also served on the Blue Ribbon Efficiency Committee to address Waste and Efficiency in Government. Sheperd is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Fort McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority, The Diabetes of Atlanta Association and Advisory member of the Villages at Carver Family YMCA.

In addition to local appointments, Sheperd also serves her constituents on a state and national level. Locally Sheperd has served on the Board of the Georgia Municipal Associations and now serves as a member of the Community Development Committee and Georgia Municipal Black Caucus. A proud and active member of the National League of Cities (NLC), she also serves on The Community Development Committee, a member of the Board of Women in Municipal Government and National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. Sheperd’s State and National presence and involvement has brought great programs to the City of Atlanta including the launch of the NLC CVS/ Caremark Prescription Discount Card Program and NLC Utility Service Partners Warranty Program which offers residents options to reduce the high costs of home utility repair on water infrastructure.

Sheperd is the recipient of numerous awards recognizing her dedication and leadership in the Atlanta community, including the National Common Cause Public Service Achievement Award, Atlanta City Council President Community Service Award, and the John C. Birdine Distinguished Leadership Award. She is also a graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute class of 2007 and a 2015 graduate of Leadership Atlanta.

Raised in the City Of Atlanta, Joyce Sheperd is a graduate of Booker T. Washington, Atlanta Public School System, a fifty eight year resident of the City of Atlanta, and a thirty eight year resident of District 12. Sheperd is a 31 year retiree of Avaya Communications and the Commnications Workers of America Union. She broke through the glass ceiling in the telecommunications industry in the late 70’s when she became one of the first female line persons. She retired as one of only a few women serving the position of a telecommunication engineer. Among her notable achievements, none is greater than her role as a mother and grandmother!

Stephanie Stuckey Benfield

Chief Resilience Officer, City of Atlanta

Stephanie Stuckey received both her undergraduate and law degree from the University of Georgia. She graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1992. After law school, she served as a public defender and then went into private practice before being elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1999. Stephanie served as a State Representative from the Decatur area for 14 years, during which time she was a member of the Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees. She then went on to serve as Executive Director of GreenLaw, an Atlanta-based public interest law firm dedicated to giving Georgia’s environment its day in court. In May 2015, she was appointed by Mayor Kasim Reed to be Director of Sustainability for the City of Atlanta. In November 2016, Stephanie was named the Chief Resilience Officer for Atlanta, working in conjunction with the Rockefeller Foundation’s “100 Resilient Cities.”

Stephanie’s legal expertise was recognized in 2011 when she was given the Outstanding Lawyer in Public Service Award by the Atlanta Bar Association. Stephanie serves on the Boards for the Green Chamber of the South, EarthShare of Georgia, and the Olmsted Linear Parks Association. She is a member of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership Class of 2013.

Katie Swenson

Vice President National Design Initiatives, Enterprise Community Partners

Katie Swenson is a national leader in sustainable design for low-income communities. Katie oversees National Design Initiatives for Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., directing the Affordable Housing Design Leadership Institute and the Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship, which cultivates a new generation of community architects through hands-on, high-impact projects in local communities across the country. The 50+ program fellows remain leaders in community design, spearheading a national movement of architects dedicated to community development and social activism.

After completing her own Enterprise Rose Fellowship at the Piedmont Housing Alliance in Charlottesville, Virginia, Katie founded the Charlottesville Community Design Center and led it to establish, with Habitat for Humanity, an influential and acclaimed international design competition. The competition’s innovative lessons are recounted in “Growing Urban Habitats: Seeking a New Housing Development Model,” which Katie co-authored with William Morrish and Susanne Schindler. Named an emerging leader by the Design Futures Council, Katie is also listed among Steelcase’s prestigious Green Giants. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from the University of California-Berkeley and a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Virginia.

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