Material Impact: Selecting for Health, Safety and Sustainability

As Associate Principal and Regional Sustainable Design Leader at Perkins+Will, Mary Dickinson assures that wholistic sustainable ideas are integral to the firm’s projects and practices across market sectors. Fueled by her passion in refining the role and impact of the built environment on human and ecological health, Mary co-chairs the firmwide Material Performance Lab. She is an active advocate participating in AIA’s Material Knowledge working group, HPDC’s User Advisor Panel, mindful MATERIAL Steering Committing and as chairman of the USGBC Texas - North Texas Regional Council.

Rachelle Schoessler Lynn is Director of Workplace for Gensler Minneapolis. She is an active national leader in innovative, sustainable design and health and well-being solutions, co-author of the Minnesota Buildings, Benchmarks and Beyond Guidelines and co-founder of the Minnesota U.S. Green Building Council chapter. Rachelle was formerly the Chair of the ASID National Board of Directors, where she advocated for sustainable design and health and well-being through policy, research initiatives and engagements.

Chad’s work has always been client-directed, drawing on a deep understanding of the users to develop a focused experience as well as a deep understanding of clients cultural and business goals. With a keen focus on interdisciplinary design, Chad’s approach to design stems from a desire to discover innovative user outcomes, target efficient data-driven design process, and the creation of empathetic and engaging environments. Especially passionate about developing and implementing sustainable and health initiatives in the built environment, Chad believes that all design professionals have a responsibility to lead by making decisions to support environmental resiliency as well as human health and wellbeing.

Jennifer Wammack is BIFMA’s Director of Outreach, a role created in 2017 to enhance engagement with influencers of the commercial built environment. Since that time, Jennifer has been the organization’s brand ambassador, communicating BIFMA’s message as the industry leader in developing furniture safety, durability and sustainability standards that ensure product performance and inspire confidence wherever people work, learn, heal, and play. Jennifer holds a BFA in Textile Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Masters of Management in Sustainable Business from Aquinas College.