2012 alabama design summit

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMASEPTEMBER 14–15, 2012

PRESENTED BY AIGA WITH SUPPORT FROM PEPSICO NUTRITION VENTURES

2 ALABAMA DESIGN SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 14–15, 2012

WELCOMEWelcome and thanks to each of you for committing your most valuable contribu-

tions—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 suc-

cessful experience.

Richard Grefé

Executive DirectorAIGA, the professional association for design

ALABAMA DESIGN SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 14–15, 2012 3

THE ORIGINS OF THE ALABAMA DESIGN SUMMITOver 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 unex-

pectedly 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 design-

ers 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.


DESIGN FOR GOODA 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 com-

munities through projects that create positive social impact. By connecting and

empowering designers through online networking tools, inspirational stories, chap-

ter 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


ISSUE STATEMENTFor decades, organizations have focused on developing support programs around

prevention, treatment and behavioral changes in hopes of decreasing the preva-

lence 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 demo-

graphic 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/influ-

enza, 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 in-

cludes lost worker productivity. By 2023, it is estimated that lost employee produc-

tivity 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 pro-

moting 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 stake-

holders with a vested interest in improving the health and economic well being of

the nation.


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


RENNA AL-YASSINISenior strategist, interaction designer and Design Researcher

[email protected]

Renna Al-Yassini is a senior strategist, interaction designer, and design re-

searcher. 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 sys-

tems 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 Universi-

ty. 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 fam-

ily during the Gulf War. Returning to Bay Area after grad school, she now

searches for beautiful objects at the abundant local flea markets.

PHIL AMTHORPlanner, The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham

[email protected]

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 Plan-

ning 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 Kong-

based 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 redevel-

opment of the Birmingham region’s highway corridors, helping RPC’s mem-

ber 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.


SAM BRASSEALEChief Technology Officer, Freshfully

[email protected]

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 comput-

ers. After high school, he attended the University of Montevallo and gradu-

ated 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 BRIGHAMExecutive Director, Jones Valley Teaching Farm

[email protected]

Grant Brigham is the Executive Director of Jones Valley Teaching Farm, an ur-

ban teaching farm using K-8 science, food and nutrition education to improve

student achievement and health outcomes for future generations in Birming-

ham. 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 En-

vironmental Farming Systems. During graduate school, Grant joined the Glob-

al Consulting Practicum in Social Entrepreneurship at Duke’s Fuqua School of

Business, where he worked with an agricultural services firm in India.

ROY BURNSDesign Director, Lewis Communications

[email protected]

Roy is Design Director at Lewis Communications, a marketing communica-

tions 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 Busi-

ness 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.


TERI CHAFINDirector of Community and Dental Health,

Jefferson County Department of Health

[email protected]

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 Doc-

tor 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 Adviso-

ry 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 Dentist-

ry 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 Dis-

ease 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 CHAPMANProject Manager for Social Engagement,

AIGA, the professional association for design

[email protected]

Amy Chapman, AIGA project manager for social engagement, works closely

with AIGA’s executive director to develop programming and initiatives fo-

cused 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 CLARKMarket Coordinator, Urban Food Project, Main Street [email protected] Clark is Main Street Birmingham’s Public Market Coordinator. Dedicat-ed 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 devel-oping new public markets through community collaboration, supporting growth and expansion of existing markets, implementing a mechanism to ac-cept 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 Birming-ham residents while supporting Alabama’s local food economy. Prior to her food systems focus, Taylor developed, implemented and man-aged 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.


SAM CRAWFORDDirector of Business Growth, Main Street Birmingham

[email protected]

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 devel-

opment. 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 oppor-

tunity 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 DUCKWORTHWeb Designer, BBVA Compass

[email protected]

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Sharon Duckworth earned degrees in

Graphic Design and French from Samford University in 1996. Her design ca-

reer actually began, though, when as a kid she and her sister wrote and illus-

trated 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 Birming-

ham and enjoys travel and meeting fascinating French-speaking people at

Alliance Française conversation tables.

JEREMY ERDREICHPresident, Erdreich Architecture; Owner, Metropolitan

[email protected]

Jeremy has extensive experience in the fields of design, real estate develop-

ment, 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.


STEPHEN EVERETTCampus Planning and Space Management, Auburn University

[email protected]

Stephen got his undergraduate degree from Auburn University in Psycholo-

gy 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 Land-

scape Master Plan. Research interests include intersections where histori-

cal landscape architectural practice meets contemporary global concerns,

methods of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the progression of represen-

tational 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 FAGGIntern Architect, Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood

[email protected]

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 Birming-

ham. 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, LDNutrition and Physical Activity Director,

Alabama Department of Public Health

[email protected]

Miriam Gaines is the director of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Division

(NPA) of the Alabama Department of Public Health. She received her mas-

ters 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, sys-

tems, and policy changes for healthy lifestyle options.

GUS HEARD-HUGHESDirector of Initiatives, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

[email protected]

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 phys-

ical 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.


JEREMY KAYEFounder, Colab Creative Strategies

[email protected]

Jeremy’s professional experience lies at the intersection of business and de-

sign, leading strategic engagements with multi-disciplinary teams for global

multinationals, start-ups, and organizations committed to social change. Jer-

emy 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 prod-

ucts, 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 Execu-

tive 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 LARZELEREMaster’s in Community Planning student, Auburn University

[email protected]

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 LEAVELLProject Director, Alabama Innovation Engine

[email protected]

Matt is an architect, urban planner, and educator. He currently works at Al-

abama Innovation Engine, a design based community development initia-

tive. 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 Ar-

chitecture and Interior Architecture from Auburn University. Matt is also a li-

censed architect in the state of New York and a LEED accredited professional.

DAVID MCMATHCreative Director, Intermark Group, Inc.

[email protected]

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.


MAX MICHAEL, III M.D.Dean, University of Alabama School of Public Health

[email protected]

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 Med-

ical 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 MIRANDADirector, University Center for Economic Development,

University of Alabama

[email protected]

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 develop-

ment 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 devel-

opment 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 develop-

ment 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, AIADirector, Urban Studio; Professor of Architecture, Auburn University

[email protected]

Cheryl is a licensed architect and a Professor of Architecture in Auburn Uni-

versity’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 com-

ponent 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.


KRISTOPHER F. NIKOLICH, AIAPartner, Design Initiative, LLC

[email protected]

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 OSETESKIPrincipal Planner, Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham

[email protected] 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 Transporta-tion 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 fisher-man and paddler and spends his free time fishing and paddling Alabama’s

waterways.

DOUG POWELLCo-founder, Schwartz Powell Design

[email protected]

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 proj-

ects. 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.


AMY RAUWORTHDirector of Policy & Public Affairs, Lakeshore Foundation,

National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability

[email protected]

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 ROSSLandscape Architect, Goodwyn, Mills, Cawood

[email protected]

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 Sys-

tem 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 ROTUNNOManager, Nutrition Ventures, PepsiCo

[email protected]

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 Nutri-

tion and Nutrition Ventures teams.

Throughout college, Jacqui was an active leader on her campus, holding po-

sitions 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 creat-

ing social networking communities.


BRIAN R. RUSHINGDirector of Land Conservation, Freshwater Land Trust

[email protected]

Brian Rushing is the Director of Conservation Programs at the Freshwater

Land Trust (FWLT) in Birmingham, Alabama. With an educational back-

ground 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 acqui-

sition 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 Jeffer-

son 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 proj-

ect 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 acquisi-

tion 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 SALVASAssociate Professor, Auburn University School of Architecture

[email protected]

Ryan Salvas is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Auburn Univer-

sity. 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.


AMA SHAMBULIAOrganizer, West End community Gardens;

[email protected]

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 Birming-

ham, Alabama.

Through the West End Community Gardens (WEgardens), Ama has imple-

mented community educational sessions on gardening and health, a Com-

munity ‘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 STOREYAssistant VP Community Health & Wellness, United Way of Central Alabama

[email protected]

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 Depart-

ment 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 Satur-

day Market and P.E.E.R Inc’s Board of Directors.

MIN SUN LEEAssistant Professor and Graphic Design Program Director,

University of Montevallo

[email protected]

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 prob-

lems 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.


C. WINSLOW TAFT, JR. Art Director, mental_floss magazine

[email protected]

Winslow Taft is a graphic designer based in Birmingham, Alabama. As

the art director for mental_floss magazine, he manages, plans, and over-

sees the design of the magazine and many of the growing media com-

panies’ 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 state-

ment. 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, MPHProfessor of Community & Rural Medicine, The University of Alabama

[email protected]

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.


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 old-

est 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, Gato-

rade, 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.

2012 alabama design summit

Documents

design profession

design mind

birmingham design summit

designalabama design

alabama design summitover

likeminded designers

individual designers

designers facilitation