The Committee on the Environment (COTE) is thrilled to introduce three outstanding individuals who have joined our Leadership Group this year. Each of these professionals brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to the forefront of sustainability and design excellence.
Seonhee Kim, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, EcoDistricts AP, is Principal and Director of Sustainability at Design Collective in Baltimore, MD. She is a USGBC Maryland Market Leadership Advisory Board and Sustainable Design Leaders group member. She also served on the AIA’s 2023 COTE Top Ten Awards jury and the 2023 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership cohort. With a background in physics and a passion for problem-solving, Seonhee brings a unique perspective to COTE and is poised to drive meaningful change in addressing climate challenges within the architectural community. Her dedication to aligning carbon reduction goals and advocating climate justice underscores COTE’s pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. “Through weaving the Framework for Design Excellence into our firm’s design process, I realized the tangible impact of COTE in advancing sustainability through the projects we deliver,” she says. “I am excited to be part of the COTE Leadership Group and looking forward to contributing.”
Ellen Mitchell, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, serves as Principal and Director of Sustainability and Applied Research at LPA in Dallas, TX. Ellen’s commitment to promoting best practices in design culture, carbon reduction, and public-interest design has been evident through her involvement in various industry events and committees. She volunteers with the AIA National Framework for Design Excellence Task Group, the AIA National COTE Sub-Committee on Climate Action & Climate Justice, and the Large Firm Round Table Sustainability Group Executive Committee. She emphasizes the vital connection between great design and the integration of social and environmental considerations. “The mission of COTE perfectly aligns with this by recognizing that design excellence is the foundation of a healthy, sustainable, and equitable future,” she says.
Joyce Raybuck, AIA, LEED, Principal at BNIM in Kansas City, MO, embodies a steadfast commitment to transformative design and climate action. Joyce’s extensive experience in innovative projects across various sectors highlights her deep understanding of the intersection between design excellence and sustainability. Her leadership in implementing sustainability initiatives at BNIM and her global design contributions emphasize her invaluable perspective as part of the COTE Leadership Group. “I strongly believe in the transformative power of design and our profession’s responsibility for climate action,” she says. “COTE has provided exceptional tools, education, and advocacy, which has driven change in the industry. I’m excited to work with my peers to continue its long legacy, promoting and advancing design excellence in practice.”
Guided by a shared vision of a more sustainable and equitable future, we are energized by Seonhee, Ellen, and Joyce's diverse perspectives and expertise. We look forward to their contributions and the collective impact we will make in driving positive change within our industry and beyond.
Author Bio:
Bruce Boul is the Communications Director at HMC Architects, overseeing internal and external communications for the California-based firm. A seasoned copywriter and media relations specialist with 25 years of experience, Bruce spearheads a range of PR activities while managing progressive internal communications programs for HMC. In 2023, he joined the COTE communications committee to actively participate in efforts to address climate change.