Leadership In Action | Meet Our Team

Small Business Owner, Planner, Researcher, Design Educator
Elise Barrella, Ph.D., P.E., is the founder and CEO of DfX Consulting LLC, where she provides research and consulting services while teaching design thinking. With twenty years of experience across education, transportation, and nonprofit sectors, she has worked as an engineering faculty member building interdisciplinary programs. Passionate about equitable and sustainable systems, she collaborates with diverse teams to redesign infrastructure and communities. Elise actively volunteers with the Transportation Research Board, the American Society of Engineering Education, and place-based nonprofits, including the Boston-Thurmond Community Engagement Roundtable, Community Design Studio, and Creative Corridors Coalition. She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University, an M.C.R.P. in City and Regional Planning, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Architect & Owner, Latent Designs PLLC; Design Thinking Instructor & Campus Architect, Forsyth Country Day School
Lauren DiBianca Frye is an architect, educator, and nonprofit leader with over 15 years of professional experience. Holding architectural degrees from Princeton University and the University of Virginia, she is passionate about the role of design in building community. Her work focuses on engagement, adaptive reuse, and environmental responsiveness, emphasizing the hidden potential in people and places. As the founder of Latent Designs PLLC, she integrates architecture, sustainability, and education to create meaningful, people-centered design solutions.

Assistant Director of First-Generation Programs, Wake Forest University
Cesar Grisales is a higher education professional specializing in student support and first-generation initiatives. After earning his degree from Wake Forest University in 2019, he began his career as an Admissions Counselor and was promoted to Assistant Dean of Admissions within two years. His experience includes interview coaching, application evaluation, territory management, and client relations. Now directing first-generation professional programs at Wake Forest, Cesar is passionate about mentorship, career readiness, and expanding access to higher education for underrepresented students.

Founder & Principal, Uncotecture
Tate Selby is an architect with 25 years of experience working across residential, municipal, and public-sector projects. He is the founder of Uncotecture, an architecture and consulting practice focused on helping clients use resources thoughtfully to create durable, sustainable design outcomes. Tate’s work is grounded in the belief that strong communities shape strong physical environments. Now based in North Carolina, he is interested in supporting design-forward thinking around the built environment, with a focus on adaptive reuse, long-term stewardship, and practical sustainability.

Director of Educational Development, Wake Forest University
Kristi Verbeke, Ph.D., is an expert in instructional design and faculty development, specializing in higher education teaching and learning strategies. With a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology, she works closely with educators to enhance curriculum development, integrate innovative teaching methods, and improve student engagement. Passionate about lifelong learning, she supports faculty in creating impactful, research-based educational experiences that foster critical thinking and inclusive learning environments.

Real Estate Developer
John-Lewis Godfrey is a commercial and residential real estate developer in the Piedmont Triad, specializing in horizontal neighborhood development and vertical build-to-hold commercial real estate, including office buildings and retail centers. Focused on improving local development, he is passionate about integrating design thinking into a field often driven purely by finance. His work emphasizes thoughtful planning that enhances communities while maintaining financial sustainability. John-Lewis collaborates with local builders, city planners, and stakeholders to create well-designed spaces that serve long-term needs.

Administrative Manager | Certified Pharmacy Technician | Notary Public
Keaira Smith is an experienced Administrative Manager with over three years of leadership experience supporting administrative teams in the construction industry. She also brings more than 18 years of healthcare experience, specializing in inpatient pharmacy operations.
Beyond her professional career, Keaira is a dedicated mother of three beautiful children and remains deeply committed to lifelong learning, community service, and youth development. She is passionate about giving back and actively contributes to local organizations that promote youth involvement through various sports opportunities.
Through her work and community involvement, Keaira is dedicated to inspiring and empowering young people to rise above life’s challenges and develop strong, resilient futures.