Best Spaces Design Institute

Best Spaces Design Institute (BSDI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Experience-Driven Design.

Our mission is to help project teams create environments that are responsive to the people they serve while advancing the evidence base for human experience in the built environment.

Our work is guided by an interdisciplinary network of leaders from practice, research, policy, and industry.

Leadership

  • Professional woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, wearing a navy blazer and white top, against a light blue background.

    Victoria A. Lanteigne, PhD

    FOUNDER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
    BEST SPACES DESIGN INSTITUTE

    Victoria developed the Best Spaces Standard to help create more equitable and inclusive built environments. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in inclusive design, research, and public policy, she founded BSDI and leads the organization's strategic vision, benchmarking efforts, and research initiatives.

    Read Bio
  • A professional woman with shoulder-length brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, smiling, dressed in a black blazer over a white shirt, wearing silver earrings, against a light blue background.

    Rachel Zsembery, AIA, LEED AP

    PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
    BERGMEYER

    Rachel serves as Co-Chair and Secretary of the BSDI Board of Directors. She brings extensive experience in organizational leadership and architectural practice, helping guide BSDI's governance and long-term strategic direction.

    Read Bio
  • Portrait of a smiling woman with short, styled hair, wearing a blue collared shirt against a light blue background.

    Rainey Shane, SEAM AP

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
    SEAM INC.

    Rainey serves on the BSDI Board of Directors and provides leadership and oversight in support of the organization's mission. As a Director, Rainey helps guide BSDI's operations and growth drawing on her experiences as the Founder of SEAM.

    Read Bio
  • A woman with curly brown hair, wearing a red cardigan and a black and white polka dot blouse, smiling with crossed arms against a light blue background.

    Traci Rose Rider, PhD, LEED AP, WELL AP

    ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE,
    NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

    Traci leads BSDI's primary research partnership through North Carolina State University College of Design. Her expertise in design research, post-occupancy evaluation, and practice supports the growing evidence base for Experience Performance.

    Read Bio

Steering Committee

  • Smiling man with a beanie hat in an office setting, labeled 'Executive Director'.

    Danyson Tavares, NOMA

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
    BOSTON SOCIETY FOR ARCHITECTURE/AIA

  • A woman with short, curly hair smiling in a black sleeveless top, wearing decorative earrings and a colorful necklace, standing in front of an abstract background.

    Nicola Springer, AIA, LEED AP

    PARTNER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, PK-12 PRACTICE,
    KIRKSEY ARCHITECTURE

  • Portrait of a smiling man with short dark hair, glasses, wearing a purple button-up shirt, outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Kevin Symons, AIA

    SENIOR ASSOCIATE,
    MACKEY MITCHELL ARCHITECTS

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with curly blonde hair, wearing earrings and a black jacket, standing outside near a brick wall and window.

    Jessica Bantom

    GLOBAL LEADER OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND BELONGING, DLR GROUP

  • A smiling woman with long brown hair wearing a black blazer against a gray background.

    Moira Denson, ASID, LEED AP

    ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF DESIGN AND ART,
    MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY

  • A young man in a dark blue suit and light blue shirt, wearing glasses, standing indoors with large windows in the background.

    Rey Sully

    PRESIDENT,
    SULLY DEVELOPMENT

  • Portrait of a man with a beard and short hair, smiling, wearing a light blue collared shirt, against a plain white background.

    Brian Springfield

    FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FRIENDS OF HARVEY MILK PLAZA

  • A smiling woman with dark curly hair wearing a white textured sweater in an indoor setting.

    Pareisse Wilson

    SENIOR PRINCIPAL, SOCIAL IMPACT,
    MOTT MACDONALD

  • A woman with shoulder-length auburn hair, smiling, wearing a black top, standing against a light-colored plain background.

    Jessica Sticklor-Lipson, LEED AP, Fitwel

    DESIGN PRINCIPAL,
    FIELDING INTERNATIONAL

  • A woman with long brown hair smiling in front of a light blue background.

    Stacey Flanagan

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,
    BATTERY PARK CITY AUTHORITY

Technical Advisory Group

  • Portrait of a woman with glasses and earrings, smiling, wearing a multicolored scarf with shades of yellow, orange, and green against a dark background.

    Stacey Crumbaker, IIDA, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA

    PRINCIPAL,
    MAHLUM

  • Portrait of a smiling man with short brown hair and a beard, wearing a blue V-neck sweater, against a light gray background.

    Ryan Losch, AIA, AICP

    PRINCIPAL, URBAN DESIGN INTERIOR
    PAGE | STANTEC

  • Alex Norman

    FOUNDER,
    ACCESS BUILT

  • A smiling man with a beard and short hair wearing a beige checkered shirt.

    Francisco Lasta, OTR/L, Assoc. AIA

    INCLUSIVE DESIGN LEAD,
    GTF

  • A woman with long brown hair smiling outdoors with orange autumn leaves in the background.

    Kathryn Jackson

    FORMERLY WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

  • A woman with long dark hair, wearing clear glasses and a black top, smiling at the camera against a plain light background.

    Alextia Brann, LEED AP, Fitwel, WELL AP

    PROJECT MANAGEMENT, CBRE