Five New Additions to Southface’s Board of Directors

Southface Institute, a sustainable building nonprofit celebrating its 46th anniversary this month, has welcomed five new members to its Board of Directors. The new board members bring experience in architecture, engineering, education, sustainability, and law to the organization. 

Since 1978, Southface has collaborated with other nonprofits, businesses, builders, developers, universities, government agencies, and communities. It works to improve the performance of residential and commercial structures at every stage of the building lifecycle. 

New Board Members include: 

Ed Akins II, AIA, LEED AP, cove.tool – Director of AEC Strategic Growth

• Akins is a registered architect and former tenured associate professor, with over 25 years of experience. He is dedicated to prioritizing sustainability within both architectural practice and education. With a comprehensive understanding of the impacts and opportunities within the profession, Akin brings a holistic vision to his work. 
• An accomplished leader and strategist, he offers up-to-date research and insights, as well as internal development and industry engagement, to his role at cove.tool.

David Gevertz, Baker Donelson – Shareholder and Trial Lawyer

• Gevertz tries high-stakes corporate espionage, noncompete, fiduciary duty, government whistleblowing, and discrimination cases from coast to coast.  

Reeti Gupta, HKS, Inc. – Senior Special Projects Leader | Futures

• Gupta is an Architecture Design Technology leader with over 23 years of experience in delivering high-quality and timely results with transparency, humility, and inclusion. 
• She enjoys delivering projects through implementation of current and emerging technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Immersive Technologies (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Twins and Real-Time Technologies to continuously improve Project Design and Project Delivery processes for clients.

Danna Lopez Richey, PE, Newcomb & Boyd – Associate Principal | Sustainability Studio Director

• Lopez Richey is a mechanical engineer with over 14 years of experience providing consulting services for healthy and energy efficient buildings. 
• As a Sustainability Studio Director, Lopez Richey focuses on streamlining integration with internal disciplines and furthering Newcomb & Boyd’s culture of conservation and sustainability. 

Kelly O’Day Weisinger (she/her), Environmental Defense Fund – Director of Global Methane

• O’Day Weisinger is an accomplished sustainability professional with over 18 years of experience in the nonprofit and higher education sectors. 
• She is a deep thinker and strategist who understands how to develop and execute impactful solutions to sustainability challenges. O’Day Weisinger directs EDF’s global methane initiative and provides sustainability consulting services in the southeast.  

“The newest cohort of Southface Institute board members has a deep commitment to the triple bottom line of sustainability – people, planet, and pocketbook – which reflects the values and work of Southface as a whole,” said Southface Board Chair Liz York. “These new Southface board members will lead the board now and in the future by prioritizing the balance of equity, ecology, and economics in support of our communities.”

Southface is renewing its focus on technical expertise, committing to its core built environment sustainability programs and services, expanding work in clean energy, and deepening work with underserved communities.

“These new members of the Southface Board of Directors bring a diverse set of professional and academic accomplishments, experiences, and perspectives that add even more strength to our board,” said Southface President James Marlow. “I’m so excited to welcome this incredible group to the Southface board.”