Meet the Team
We are a collective of practitioners with lived experience working in small communities, specifically rural, Indigenous, and remote places.
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Co-Founder / Director
Omar Hakeem, AIA
Award-winning architect Omar Hakeem uses design to address social and environmental issues in underserved areas including housing, disaster relief, and infrastructure. He was recently awarded Grist 50 Fixer recognition and a DC AIA's Wiebenson Award. He is a licensed architect and the Founder/Principal of To Be Done Studio.
Co-Founder / Director
Matthew Smith
As an advisor, board member, and coach, Matt Smith focuses on organizational operations, systems, and strategy. He is currently a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University and previously served as Managing Director of MASS Design Group, an award-winning nonprofit architecture, engineering, and construction firm.
Co-Founder / Director
Maria Sykes
Maria Sykes, designer, non-profit leader, board member, and coach, has been working in rural investment for over a decade. Her work has been honored many times, including by the Utah Governor. She is currently the Executive Director of Epicenter, an award-winning rural community design center in Green River, Utah.
Advisor
Ren Hatt, JD
Ren Hatt is an educator, attorney, civic leader, and consultant in Green River, Utah. He is dedicated to rural causes and grew up in Green River, a town with a population of around 1,000. Ren currently serves as mayor of Green River, works on his family ranch, and leads several nonprofit and municipal boards focused on rural investment.
Advisor
Alyssa Kreikemeier, PhD
Dr. Alyssa Kreikemeier is an Assistant Professor of Environmental History at the University of Idaho. Her research areas include: environmental humanities, public history, Indigenous studies, visual culture, and cultural landscapes. Prior to earning her PhD, Alyssa worked in education and nonprofits in the arts, engagement, and transformational learning.
Advisor
Joseph Kunkel
A citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, Joseph Kunkel is a community designer and educator, focused on sustainable development practices within Indigenous communities. As a Principal at MASS Design Group, Joseph directs the Sustainable Native Communities Design Lab in O’ghe P’oghe (Santa Fe, New Mexico).