BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA SEPTEMBER 14–15, 2012 PRESENTED BY AIGA WITH SUPPORT FROM PEPSICO NUTRITION VENTURES
WELCOME Welcome and thanks to each of you for committing your most valuable contributions—your time, your creative energy, your empathy, and your determination to contribute to positive change—to a gathering in Birmingham to learn, to share, and to model how creativity can be harnessed to defeat habit. AIGA, as the professional association for design, is deeply committed to this gathering, its experiences and its outcomes. We want to help by convening the right people; channeling their interaction through a thoughtful process toward purposeful ends; and serving as a catalyst for real action. We expect this to be an extraordinary two days—enriching for those who have offered to help; enabling for those who have shared problems seeking solutions; and enlightening in how we can learn from these days to inform others on a successful experience.
Richard Grefé Executive Director AIGA, the professional association for design
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THE ORIGINS OF THE ALABAMA DESIGN SUMMIT Over the past several years, AIGA and other leaders within the design profession have involved designers at the center of efforts to find human-centered solutions to large social challenges. The design mind and processes that explore unexpectedly fresh, simple and sustainable solutions have brought particular value to social engagements—typically based on designers’ facilitation and involvement in group efforts that depend upon the active participation of experts, citizens, corporations, NGOs and community leaders. AIGA has launched “Design for Good” to focus on providing ways for designers to engage with concerned citizens across a spectrum of interests and professions to tackle the challenges facing us all in the 21st century. AIGA will offer channels to connect interested designers with national programs, regional events and local initiatives championed by AIGA chapters; resources to reach like-minded designers who want to start their own projects; and tools for individual designers who simply want to make an impact on their own. PepsiCo’s Nutrition Ventures, understanding the potential for the process to lead to unconventional solutions, partnered with AIGA with generous support to apply the process, as a model, to nutritional issues which they realized were larger than individual choice. The Birmingham Design Summit is the third demonstration in this partnership for how design can create positive and impactful social change.
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DESIGN FOR GOOD A MOVEMENT TO IGNITE, ACCELERATE AND AMPLIFY DESIGN-DRIVEN SOCIAL CHANGE Design for Good is a platform to build and sustain the implementation of design thinking for social change. This platform creates opportunities for designers to build their practice, their network, and their visibility. Design for Good recognizes the wide range of designers’ work and leadership in social change, which benefits the world, our country and our communities. Design for Good supports and sustains designers who play a catalytic role in communities through projects that create positive social impact. By connecting and empowering designers through online networking tools, inspirational stories, chapter events, training, national advocacy and promotion, Design for Good serves as a powerful resource for designers who wish to work in this area and a beacon for designers leading the charge. For more information visit designforgood.aiga.org
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ISSUE STATEMENT For decades, organizations have focused on developing support programs around prevention, treatment and behavioral changes in hopes of decreasing the prevalence of so-called “lifestyle diseases” such as high cholesterol, hypertension, high blood pressure and obesity. However, rates of lifestyle diseases in the U.S. continue to grow at alarming rates. More recently, there has been an increase in the number of studies and amount of research on the powerful impact that the environments in which we live, work, learn and play have on the prevalence of “lifestyle diseases”. This broad topic is referred to as the “Social Determinants of Health.” Why are programs and interventions not resonating enough with at-risk demographic populations? What are the triggers that lead to healthy behavior change? How can support programs, knowledge and information be better translated into empowering and motivating messaging that mobilizes positive changes?
BACKGROUND In 1900, the top three causes of death in the United States were pneumonia/influenza, tuberculosis, and diarrhea/enteritis. Communicable diseases accounted for about 60 percent of all deaths. However, according to a recent Miliken report, today more than half of Americans suffer from one or more chronic diseases. Each year millions of people are diagnosed with chronic disease, and millions more die from their condition. It is estimated that the most common chronic diseases are costing the economy more than $1 trillion annually—and that figure threatens to reach $6 trillion by the middle of the century. The social cost includes not just the treatment, it also includes lost worker productivity. By 2023, it is estimated that lost employee productivity will cost this country more than $3.3 trillion. Reducing the avoidable costs associated with these conditions is central to meeting the twin challenges of promoting affordable health care and fostering continued economic growth. We have a choice: continue on the current path or alter it by changing behaviors and focusing on prevention and early intervention. The natural tendency of key stakeholders is to try to fix things from their respective vantage point, or to point fingers at others who they think must change. The reality is, this situation was not created by one segment of the population or system alone, nor can one segment assume total responsibility for transforming it. It requires, more than ever before, committed collaborations and partnerships among all stakeholders with a vested interest in improving the health and economic well being of the nation.
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SCHEDULE Day 1: Friday 14 September 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Check-in, continental breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Welcome and introductions
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Morning session
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM Break 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Morning session continued
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Catered lunch
1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Afternoon session
5:30 PM – 6:00 PM Wrap-up
Day 2: Saturday 15 September 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast & summit regroup
9:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Morning session
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM Break 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Morning session continued
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Catered working Lunch
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Afternoon session
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wrap-up with refreshments
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RENNA AL-YASSINI Senior strategist, interaction designer and Design Researcher renna.alyassini@gmail.com Renna Al-Yassini is a senior strategist, interaction designer, and design researcher. She leads initiatives to create new products and services for a wide range of clients, guiding them through the entire arc of the project and systems thinking processes while fostering collaboration amongst stakeholders. Renna’s background in communication strategy for diverse organizations bolsters her ability to design positive experiences for clients. Her research and writing efforts at the intersection of design, business, culture, and social impact give her a solid foundation for helping clients to realize their goals. Renna studied political theory and international poltics at UC Santa Cruz before receiving a Masters degree in design from Carnegie Mellon University. She secured funding to realize her thesis project – a center for women’s entrepreneurship and innovation in Qatar. As founder of the Rouhda Center, Renna conducted human-centered design research to create culturally relevant, strategic services. This work led her to be recognized as one of Businessweek’s “Twenty-One People Who Will Change Business”. Renna is a native of Kuwait and moved to Northern California with her family during the Gulf War. Returning to Bay Area after grad school, she now searches for beautiful objects at the abundant local flea markets.
PHIL AMTHOR Planner, The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham pamthor@rpcgb.org Philip Amthor started working in the design industry in high school and into college, working for Stout Architecture, Inc., a local Birmingham firm. He graduated with a bachelor’s in Architecture and master’s in Community Planning from Auburn University in 2008. While in school, Philip worked overseas in China for Ben Wood’s Studio Shanghai as well as Shui On, a Hong Kongbased developer. After graduating from Auburn, Philip began professional work in planning with Williams and Wimsatt Architects in Christcurch, New Zealand. He came back to Birmingham in late 2009 to join the Community Planning group at the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham. At RPC, Philip’s focus has been the redevelopment of the Birmingham area’s post-industrial neighborhoods, addressing issues such as shrinking population and vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent property. He has also worked on the redevelopment of the Birmingham region’s highway corridors, helping RPC’s member governments reinvest in their strip corridors and transform them into neighborhood-oriented, pedestrian-friendly places positioned for long-term, sustainable development. Philip recently became certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, passing the AICP exam in May 2012.
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SAM BRASSEALE Chief Technology Officer, Freshfully sam@freshfully.com Sam Brasseale grew up in Arab, Alabama—a tiny town south of Huntsville. On the day of his birth, his parents bought their first computer: a sure sign of Sam’s future predilection for playing, working, and tinkering with computers. After high school, he attended the University of Montevallo and graduated in 2009 with BFA in Graphic Design and New Media. While in college, he taught himself HTML and CSS in order to create his own online portfolio. Delving further and further into web design, his one-time hobby later led to a career as a web designer. Notable work includes creating regional travel site VisitSouth.com; putting in a stint with Birmingham web development agency Infomedia; and most recently co-creating the startup Freshfully. com and subsequently the Freshfully Market in Avondale. Sam spends his free time stocking shelves in the market, managing Freshfully’s website, and relieving stress with CrossFit. He is happily married to Mallory and they live in Birmingham with their ferocious dog Rocky.
GRANT BRIGHAM Executive Director, Jones Valley Teaching Farm grant@jvtf.org Grant Brigham is the Executive Director of Jones Valley Teaching Farm, an urban teaching farm using K-8 science, food and nutrition education to improve student achievement and health outcomes for future generations in Birmingham. Prior to this role, he was the Country Director for a start-up nonprofit in Uganda--the Ugandan American Partnership Organization--and a teacher at Holy Family Cristo Rey High School in Ensley. Grant received a BA from Furman University and a Master’s in Agricultural & Extension Education from North Carolina State University, where he was awarded an assistantship with the 10% Campaign through the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. During graduate school, Grant joined the Global Consulting Practicum in Social Entrepreneurship at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, where he worked with an agricultural services firm in India.
ROY BURNS Design Director, Lewis Communications rburns@lewiscommunications.com Roy is Design Director at Lewis Communications, a marketing communications agency with offices in Mobile, Birmingham, and Nashville. Prior to that, he served as Art Director at the New York office of global interactive agency Razorfish, and as Design Director at Stoltze Design, a Boston-based studio known for its legacy of industry acclaim. During his 18 years in design, he’s worked on branding, interactive and multimedia projects for a broad range of clients including HBO, ZDF, BMG/Sony, Capitol Records, Caldo Verde Records, Communicating Vessels, Houghton Mifflin, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Apartment Therapy, Fidelity Investments, and Harvard Business School. His work has been recognized by the Art Directors Club, Type Directors Club, Graphis, HOW, Print, Communication Arts, AAF ADDY Awards, AIGA and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
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TERI CHAFIN Director of Community and Dental Health, Jefferson County Department of Health teri.chafin@jcdh.org Teri Chafin D.M.D., M.P.H. currently serves as Director of Community and Dental Health for Jefferson County Department of Health. Dr. Chafin is a graduate of University of Alabama, Birmingham where she received her Doctor of Medical Dentistry and Masters of Public Health. She currently serves with numerous local public health committees and organizations including the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity – Health Advisory Board, the United Way Success by Six Advisory Council, the Blueprint for School Readiness Health Committee, The United Way Planning Committee, the Pioneering Healthier Communities Team, Alabama State Dental Medicaid Taskforce, and Birmingham Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Dr. Chafin is Adjunct Faculty with the University Of Alabama School Of Dentistry and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Public Health. Her professional affiliations include the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors and the American Association of Public Health Dentistry. For the past two years, Dr. Chafin has served as Principal Investigator for a $13.3M federally funded Centers for Disease Control grant Communities Putting Prevention to Work to reduce the impact of tobacco and obesity related chronic diseases in Jefferson County through policy, systems, and environmental changes.
AMY CHAPMAN Project Manager for Social Engagement, AIGA, the professional association for design amy_chapman@aiga.org Amy Chapman, AIGA project manager for social engagement, works closely with AIGA’s executive director to develop programming and initiatives focused on advancing AIGA’s mission and goals; works to recruit and connect interested and active members in AIGA’s initiatives; and develops systems for increasing member involvement and communication. Amy, is the primary contact for Design for Good and works directly with AIGA members and chapters to organize regional and national Design for Good Summits, collect case studies of pro bono design work, and promote chapter-run events that focus on design and social change.
TAYLOR CLARK Market Coordinator, Urban Food Project, Main Street Birmingham Taylor@MainStreetBham.org Taylor Clark is Main Street Birmingham’s Public Market Coordinator. Dedicated to Main Street Birmingham’s Urban Food Project, Taylor works to create and support food-related businesses that address a lack of access to healthy foods in Birmingham’s urban “food deserts.” Taylor’s work includes developing new public markets through community collaboration, supporting growth and expansion of existing markets, implementing a mechanism to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits at public markets. As Market Coordinator, Taylor also collaborates with others to conceptualize and implement holistic strategies to improve the quality of life for Birmingham residents while supporting Alabama’s local food economy. Prior to her food systems focus, Taylor developed, implemented and managed communications strategies as an Independent Marketing Executive. As an avid gardener and foodie, she is passionate about growing your own, preparing and celebrating locally sourced food. Taylor is driven to empower and equip those who need it most with the resources to become self-reliant and to create sustainable change toward physical and economic wellbeing.
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SAM CRAWFORD Director of Business Growth, Main Street Birmingham SCrawford@mainstreetbham.org Mr. Samuel Crawford is the Director of Business Growth for Main Street Birmingham. Samuel is a native of Birmingham and comes to Main Street from Chicago where he had over twenty-five years’ experience in community planning, economic and business development and franchise business development. Mr. Crawford heads Main Street Birmingham’s ‘Urban Food Project’ which seeks to provide access to healthy food for residents who live in ‘food deserts’. In partnership with the City of Birmingham the Urban Food Projects is connecting urban consumers to local Alabama farmers and using food as a catalyst for job and business creation. Sam believes that an established network of ‘public spaces’ can become catalysts for further economic opportunity and where residents can work, play and access healthy foods in a safe friendly environment. This effort to create “public spaces” includes working to assist the City’s Office of Economic Development to attract grocery stores to food deserts. Sam has optimistic prospects of changing food and public space access in Birmingham so that more consumption of healthy food will lead to improved public health. Sam is a graduate of Ramsey High School and holds a Master’s degree in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati.
SHARON DUCKWORTH Web Designer, BBVA Compass sduckworth8@gmail.com A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Sharon Duckworth earned degrees in Graphic Design and French from Samford University in 1996. Her design career actually began, though, when as a kid she and her sister wrote and illustrated pretend “magazines,” complete with fake ads. She has since designed for real magazines, other publications and a university PR department. In 2009 she switched to web design and has since been part of the in-house web team at BBVA Compass bank. She serves on the board of AIGA Birmingham and enjoys travel and meeting fascinating French-speaking people at Alliance Française conversation tables.
JEREMY ERDREICH President, Erdreich Architecture; Owner, Metropolitan jce@erdreicharchitecture.com Jeremy has extensive experience in the fields of design, real estate development, and placemaking. He manages an architecture firm, a real estate firm, and writes a blog focused on urban design issues in Birmingham, AL. Jeremy is particularly interested in the different components that intersect to create urban built environments. Educated at Yale, Harvard, and the University of Cambridge (UK), Jeremy has worked in both Birmingham and New York City. Notable projects include the Phoenix Building Lofts, 2nd Row, and the Second Avenue District branding initiative. He and his husband Larry live in Birmingham and New York.
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STEPHEN EVERETT Campus Planning and Space Management, Auburn University everest@auburn.edu Stephen got his undergraduate degree from Auburn University in Psychology in 2009, following it with Masters Degrees in landscape architecture and community planning from Auburn in 2012. He now works for the Office of Campus Planning and Space Management at Auburn, where current projects include the Comprehensive Campus Master Plan 2012 and the 2012 Landscape Master Plan. Research interests include intersections where historical landscape architectural practice meets contemporary global concerns, methods of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the progression of representational tools within the design fields. During holidays Stephen likes to travel; his most recent trip was a two-week cultural excursion to Ecuador with time split between its capital city of Quito and several beach towns along its western coast.
SUSIE FAGG Intern Architect, Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood susie.fagg@gmail.com Susie recently graduated from architecture school at Auburn University where she went to Urban Studio, Rural Studio, and a study abroad program in Florence, Italy. After graduating, she worked at the AU Urban Studio on schematic ideas for development of the Village Creek Greenway in Birmingham. She currently works at Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood. She enjoys being outside, cooking without recipes, and creating art pieces in various mediums. She loves to garden but has a black thumb. She ran her first 5k last October in the Race for the Cure, and plans to do it again this year.
MIRIAM J. GAINES, MACT, RD, LD Nutrition and Physical Activity Director, Alabama Department of Public Health Mim.Gaines@adph.state.al.us Miriam Gaines is the director of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Division (NPA) of the Alabama Department of Public Health. She received her masters in nutrition from Auburn University, Alabama. She has been a registered dietitian for the health department for 25 years. As the State Obesity Task Force Executive Director, she was one of the key authors of the Alabama Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity. She serves as the Health Department’s lead for the Scale Back Alabama worksite intervention program, which is a private public partnership to address obesity. She enjoys working with environmental, systems, and policy changes for healthy lifestyle options.
GUS HEARD-HUGHES Director of Initiatives, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham GHeard-Hughes@foundationbirmingham.org Gus Heard-Hughes is the Director of Initiatives at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham (CFGB). He represents CFGB a lead partner in the Jefferson County Health Action Partnership, coordinates nutrition and physical activity grants under CFGB’s Health result, and is facilitating a healthy food initiative in two Birmingham neighborhoods. Previously, Gus worked for over ten years with Heifer International, supporting Alabama projects that promote healthy food access, local food economies, and sustainable agriculture. He holds an undergraduate degree in Sustainable Food Systems from Hampshire College and a MSW in Social Policy and Administration from Florida State University.
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JEREMY KAYE Founder, Colab Creative Strategies jeremy@colabpdx.com Jeremy’s professional experience lies at the intersection of business and design, leading strategic engagements with multi-disciplinary teams for global multinationals, start-ups, and organizations committed to social change. Jeremy spent the first portion of his career at J. Crew, Patagonia, the GAP and Nike, leading new initiative brand design and marketing efforts. After many years directing global brand strategy programs for clients in consumer products, healthcare, finance, education, hospitality, and retail, Jeremy formed Colab, a new model for creative strategy that operates at the intersection of brand, business and experience design. Jeremy serves on the Executive Committee of the Oregon Humanities Board and is an advisory board member for the Alabama Innovation Engine. He is a periodic guest lecturer at Parsons The New School for Design, has been featured in Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek, and has won numerous international design and business awards.
JAIME LARZELERE Master’s in Community Planning student, Auburn University jzl0057@auburn.edu Jaime Larzelere is currently a second year student in Auburn University’s Master’s in Community Planning program. She has a B.A. from College of Charleston in Historic Preservation and Community Planning and a B.A. in Art History. She sailed on Tall Ships for two years along both coastlines of the U.S. before returning to school for her Master’s degree.
MATT LEAVELL Project Director, Alabama Innovation Engine matt.leavell@auburn.edu Matt is an architect, urban planner, and educator. He currently works at Alabama Innovation Engine, a design based community development initiative. Engine develops ways to connect design resources with communities throughout Alabama. In addition to Engine, Matt also teaches urban planning courses at Auburn University. An Alabama native, Matt holds a Master’s of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University and Bachelors’ of Architecture and Interior Architecture from Auburn University. Matt is also a licensed architect in the state of New York and a LEED accredited professional.
DAVID MCMATH Creative Director, Intermark Group, Inc. david.mcmath@intermarkgroup.com David is a creative director, designer, art director and copywriter, who was born and raised in Washington State and began his career as a designer in Spokane and Seattle before moving to New York where he worked for Young & Rubicam, which at that time was the world’s largest ad agency. During his 10 years in New York, David worked on well know brands including Xerox, AT&T, Miller Brewing, Jell-O, Sony, and Coca-Cola. David returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1990 where he started his own firm. His clients included Microsoft, Fluke, Bank of America, Key Bank and Cellular One. In December of 2000 he was recruited by thinktank Chicago to launch a Seattle office. Regrettably, thinktank closed its Seattle office shortly after the September, 11th tragedy. David is now creative director at Intermark Group, Inc., the largest advertising agency in Birmingham, Alabama.
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MAX MICHAEL, III M.D. Dean, University of Alabama School of Public Health maxm@uab.edu Max Michael, MD is Dean of the UAB School of Public Health and Professor in its Department of Health Care Organization and Policy. He formerly was Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director of Jefferson Health System/ Cooper Green Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to serving in this position he was Chief of Staff, Chairman Department of Medicine and Director of Outpatient Services at Cooper Green Hospital. Dr. Michael is a board-certified internist. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He was an intern and resident at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. From 1974 to 1976 he was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. In 1986 he was a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow in Washington, DC, serving on the Health Subcommittee of the Committee of Ways and Means in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dr. Michael serves on a number of local boards including United Way of Central Alabama and Gateway.
NISA MIRANDA Director, University Center for Economic Development, University of Alabama Nisa.miranda@ua.edu Since 1995, Nisa Miranda has been the Director of the University Center for Economic Development (UCED) at the University of Alabama. At UCED, Nisa provides technical assistance and applied research to economically distressed areas in the state of Alabama to enhance local economic development efforts that diversity the state’s economy and ensure positive growth— work critical to improving sustainable economic growth in Alabama’s rural communities. UCED administers technical assistance in economic development by developing and structuring programs that build local capacity; increase the elected and civic leadership base; increase tourism/recreation and entertainment; and provide a well-educated and prepared workforce. She is a founding member of two nonprofits that support economic development in rural and distressed areas, the Alabama Communities of Excellence, Inc and Your Town Alabama, Inc. Miranda serves on the Southern Growth Policies Board –Southern Global Strategy Council; is a board member of the Alabama Export Council, Black Belt Treasures, and Japan America Society of Alabama; Co-chair of the Alabama Rural Action Commission; and member of the Black Belt National Heritage Area Task Force and the Alabama Trails Commission Advisory Board. A native of Brazil, Ms. Miranda holda an MBA from the University of Alabama.
CHERYL MORGAN, AIA Director, Urban Studio; Professor of Architecture, Auburn University morgace@auburn.edu Cheryl is a licensed architect and a Professor of Architecture in Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture. She is the Director of Auburn’s Urban Studio in Birmingham, AL. The Urban Studio’s Small Town Design Initiative Program – a significant component of Auburn’s outreach agenda – has worked with close to 70 small towns and neighborhoods in Alabama under Professor Morgan’s direction. This work has resulted in assets-based illustrative mater plans that position a community to leverage their distinctive opportunities. Before coming to Auburn in 1992, Cheryl practiced architecture and urban design in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a graduate of Auburn and the University of Illinois.
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KRISTOPHER F. NIKOLICH, AIA Partner, Design Initiative, LLC kris@design-intiative.net Mr. Nikolich received his Bachelors of Architecture from Syracuse University in 1991 and began his professional career in New York City. Since graduation he has worked in award winning design firms at home and abroad and his project experience ranges from custom residential projects to commercial and institutional work. In 2007 he cofounded Design Initiative, LLC with Marshall Anderson with the goal of creating award-winning architecture that is specific to context, mindful to a client’s goals and responsible to the environment. Kris is committed to supporting community and is actively involved with local volunteer efforts and non-profits.
STEVE OSETESKI Principal Planner, Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham smo@rpcgb.org Steve is a Principal Planner with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham. Steve is responsible for community planning projects throughout the region. Prior to rejoining the RPCGB Steve was employed with Gresham, Smith and Partners participating in projects ranging from environmental assessments to long range transit planning. Steve has been a practicing planner for over 30 years. Steve worked for both the Kentucky Department of Transportation and the Alabama Department of Transportation in highway and transit planning. Following his service in Vietnam Steve received a B.A. in Economics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and an M.S. in Public Policy Analysis from the W. Averill Harriman College at S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook. Steve is fortunate in having experienced several careers in his lifetime; in addition to his planning skills, he has enjoyed career paths that have included raising thoroughbred horses and owning and operating his own retail businesses. Throughout his career Steve has stressed the importance of the land use to transportation connection. Steve is invested personally in the subject of land use and transportation planning. As a member of his community’s Planning and Zoning Commission Steve has ongoing contact with the issues that face growing communities. His current work at the RPCGB brings him into daily contact with the decisions facing small communities as they balance growth with sustainability. Steve has worked on design teams for everything from hospitals to bus stops. He especially enjoys the satisfaction of assisting small communities in maintaining their unique character and identity. Steve enthusiastically serves on the Board of Directors for Your Town Alabama and the Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) Associates Council. Steve serves as co-chairman of his city’s education committee and he is the president of his Homeowners Association. He is an avid fly fisherman and paddler and spends his free time fishing and paddling Alabama’s waterways.
DOUG POWELL Co-founder, Schwartz Powell Design doug@schwartzpowell.com Doug Powell is a designer, strategist, entrepreneur and the creative visionary for Schwartz Powell, leading successful projects for a wide range of clients and collaborative partners in health and nutrition, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Lifescan, and Pepsico. Doug also consults with a variety of cross-disciplinary teams on design-driven entrepreneurial projects. Doug is the national president of AIGA, the professional association for design. With more than 22,000 members in 66 local chapters, AIGA is the largest design organization in the U.S.
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AMY RAUWORTH Director of Policy & Public Affairs, Lakeshore Foundation, National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability amyr@lakeshore.org In April of 2012, Ms. Rauworth joined Lakeshore Foundation as the Director of Policy and Public Affairs. She also works within the University of Alabama Birmingham/Lakeshore Foundation Research Collaborative where she is the Associate Director of the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD). She is a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the American College of Sports Medicine. Ms. Rauworth conducts Inclusive Fitness trainings nationally on behalf of the NCHPAD and specializes in accessible fitness center design. Ms. Rauworth has a strong interest in the design of healthy communities that are inclusive of people with disabilities.
JANE REED ROSS Landscape Architect, Goodwyn, Mills, Cawood jane.ross@gmcnetwork.com Jane Reed Ross has been practicing Landscape Architecture for 30 years, with experience throughout the southeast as well as in the Washington D.C. area and Queensland, Australia. Prior to joining Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood in 2008, Jane was a principal at Ross Land Design for 15 years. She led the firm in the direction of sustainable design in civic spaces like Homewood Central Park, Homewood Shades Creek Greenway, Birmingham Children’s Zoo and Railroad Park. Combining quality design with environmentally holistic solutions, Jane has worked on projects that have a sense of place and presence based on an ethic of function, art and the client’s needs and budget. Jane was the project manager for the Red Rock Ridge and Valley Trail System Master Plan and is currently working on Lane Parke in Mountain Brook, Tarrant Aqueduct Trail, Jones Valley Complete Streets, Civil Rights Trail, Enon Ridge Trail, Auburn University Campus, Bevill State Community College and Wallace State Community College.r
JACQUELINE ROTUNNO Manager, Nutrition Ventures, PepsiCo jacqueline.rotunno@pepsico.com Jacqui joined the Nutrition Ventures team in June 2012, after graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University at Albany with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Rhetoric. From 2009–2012, during academic breaks in the summer and winter, Jacqui served as an intern on PepsiCo’s Global Nutrition and Nutrition Ventures teams. Throughout college, Jacqui was an active leader on her campus, holding positions such as Brand Representative for Rockstar Energy Drink and Campus Ambassador for Barnes & Noble Booksellers. In these roles, Jacqui ignited campus-wide movements through word-of mouth interactions and by creating social networking communities.
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BRIAN R. RUSHING Director of Land Conservation, Freshwater Land Trust brian.rushing@freshwaterlandtrust.org Brian Rushing is the Director of Conservation Programs at the Freshwater Land Trust (FWLT) in Birmingham, Alabama. With an educational background in forestry, geology, environmental planning and management, business, and real estate, Brian tailored his academic studies for a career working with land trusts. He is a graduate of the University of the South (B.S.), Louisiana State University (M.S.), and the University of Alabama (M.B.A.) and has worked in natural history and environmental education for a number of years. As Director of Conservation Programs, Brian oversees FWLT’s land acquisition operations as well as stewardship of over 5,800 acres of fee-owned and conservation easement lands. Since coming to the FWLT in March 2003, Brian helped to complete the organization’s implementation of the Jefferson County Greenways Program, a ten-year, $30,000,000 project designed to protect streamside forested buffers in the Birmingham Area. Under that program as well as others, he has negotiated the acquisition of over 3,000 acres of conservation land and has secured over $6,500,000 in donations and discount sales of property. Under Brian’s leadership, the FWLT has also implemented ecological restoration projects on three of its preserves, the largest of which is a 40-acre stream restoration and privet eradication project along Shades Creek near Bessemer, Alabama. In addition to on-the-ground land protection and stewardship activities, Brian has also worked closely with FWLT’s Board of Directors to develop a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that guide the land acquisition and stewardship work of the organization and that keep these activities consistent with the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices. In early 2009, FWLT became the first land trust in Alabama to be accredited by the Land Trust Alliance.
RYAN SALVAS Associate Professor, Auburn University School of Architecture ryan.salvas@gmail.com Ryan Salvas is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Auburn University. Prior to teaching Ryan worked at SHoP Architects in New York City, where he was a founding member of SHoP’s Applied Technology Group, a focused internal team devoted to research, application, and development of design and construction technologies. In addition he was a founding member of HeliOptix, a collaborative company composed of academics, inventors, designers, and builders whose collective ideals, team dynamic and field expertise are leading to innovations in building integrated sustainable products. He has also worked as a facade consultant for Front Inc., a New York based façade engineering and architecture firm, where he completed projects with Atelier Jean Nouvel, OMA, REX, Renzo Piano, and Neil Denari.
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AMA SHAMBULIA Organizer, West End community Gardens; ama@urban-ministry.org Ama Shambulia has been committed to holistic living for over thirty years and has explored many venues of health and well being from the Culinary Arts to Yoga. She is a trained Natural Foods Chef and Master Gardener, and has combined the two passions to become an educator and advocate for wellness as the Program Director of the West End Community Gardens project in Birmingham, Alabama. Through the West End Community Gardens (WEgardens), Ama has implemented community educational sessions on gardening and health, a Community ‘Unity’ Plot Program for seniors, Weed, Seed, Feed & Read for Urban Kids (urban ministries afterschool program) and has grown community farm stands in the West End Community and Greater Birmingham. Ama loves to share the experience of eating good food (naturally) and the cultivating/culinary knowledge that she has accumulated over the years. ‘Be the change you wish to see’ (Ghandi) is the standard she sets for herself.
AMANDA STOREY Assistant VP Community Health & Wellness, United Way of Central Alabama astorey@uwca.org Amanda Storey is Assistant Vice President of Community Health & Wellness at the United Way of Central Alabama. She serves as Project Director for Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities – a grant funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation aimed at reversing childhood obesity through policy, systems, and environmental changes in Jefferson County. She also works on Communities Putting Prevention to Work—an initiative of the Department of Health & Human Services aimed at decreasing overweight/obesity prevalence, increasing levels of physical activity, improving nutrition, and decreasing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. Community initiatives include: Safe Routes to School programming, enhancing school wellness policies, increasing healthy food access, passing Complete Streets and Urban Agriculture resolutions. Amanda serves on Pepper Place Saturday Market and P.E.E.R Inc’s Board of Directors.
MIN SUN LEE Assistant Professor and Graphic Design Program Director, University of Montevallo minsundesign@gmail.com Min Sun Lee is an Assistant Professor and Graphic Design Program Director at the University of Montevallo. Lee was born in Seoul, Korea, and embraces her unique combination of Korean and Western culture in her design. She is especially interested in the research and design of unique solutions to problems involving the human experience, social patterns and communication between cultures. She feels that through proper execution, design can serve as a valuable ally to those in need. She has presented and published her work nationally and internationally on graphic design curriculum, branding, interface design and packaging design.
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C. WINSLOW TAFT, JR. Art Director, mental_floss magazine winslow@mentalfloss.com Winslow Taft is a graphic designer based in Birmingham, Alabama. As the art director for mental_floss magazine, he manages, plans, and oversees the design of the magazine and many of the growing media companies’ myriad peripheral products. A lover of all things design, Winslow likes to keep things practical and rational preferring to distill ideas down to their most simplified form to arrive at a concise visual statement. When not in front of his computer you may find him in his garage working on various woodworking projects, tinkering on and occasionally riding vintage motorcycles, sweating it out in “The Winslow Gardens”, or taking his two walleyed dogs on walks in the Crestwood neighborhood of downtown Birmingham. If you’re in the mood to buy him a beer, a simple High Life will do.
JOHN R. WHEAT, MD, MPH Professor of Community & Rural Medicine, The University of Alabama jwheat@cchs.ua.edu John Wheat, who grew up in rural Alabama, is widely known in-state and nationally for helping rural students who want to become rural doctors enter medical school and become physicians with training necessary to serve rural populations. Dr. Wheat envisioned “growing our own” doctors -- recruiting and training Alabama’s own to return “to their roots” in rural communities of Alabama -- and created a “pipeline” of programs [middle school through medical school] to help these students prepare for and sustain their commitment to careers in rural health and medicine. Wheat was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame and has garnered highest honors given by the National Rural Health Association, the National Farm Medicine Center, Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa), Alabama Public Health Association, Alabama Family Practice Rural Health Board, and his alma mater, Mayo Clinic.
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AIGA, the professional association for design AIGA, the professional association for design, stimulates thinking about design, demonstrates the value of design and empowers the success of designers at each stage of their careers. AIGA’s mission is to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force. Founded in 1914, AIGA remains the oldest and largest professional membership organization for design, and is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational institution. To learn more, visit www.aiga.org.
PEPSICO NUTRITION VENTURES PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. Our main businesses—Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola—make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world. Nutrition Ventures is a unit within PepsiCo that is dedicated to exploring new approaches for addressing the unmet needs of millions of people around the world who must change their nutrition and lifestyle habits to improve their health.
ALABAMA INNOVATION ENGINE Alabama Innovation Engine is a design-based community development initiative. A partnership between Auburn University’s Urban Studio and The University of Alabama’s Center for Economic Development, our mission is to improve Alabama through design. Our goal is to accomplish this mission through three complimentary methods: 1) Organize and host design summits to identify responses to large scale issues, 2) identify and coordinate regional-based, long-term projects with potential to have positive broad social and economic impacts, and 3) facilitate partnerships between professional designers and community non-profits. More information at AlabamaEngine.org.
A Special thanks to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Edge of Chaos Studio for generously hosting the summit.
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