Michele L. Van Hyfte, an Architect, community advocate, and industry thought leader with over 25 years of experience and distinctive expertise, has devoted her career to facilitating cross-disciplinary, integrated design excellence in architecture, urban design, regional planning, and public policy. Her passion is improving communities by pursuing strategic design solutions at the intersection of the built and natural environments. Her collaborative, cross-functional leadership style promotes sustainability and resiliency strategies and produces positive, equitable, and healthy outcomes. She is an award-winning community leader and design professional earning honors from the Urban Land Institute (ULI Austin), the American Institute of Architects (AIA Austin), and Leadership Austin. As Sustainable Design Leader - Resiliency at HOK, Michele served as the firm’s thought leader and expert in resilience, established its global resiliency practice, and led its Texas regional sustainable design practice. She developed and implemented resilient and sustainable design strategies for buildings, campuses, and cities locally and around the world. Prior to joining HOK, as Vice President of Urban Design at the Downtown Austin Alliance, she served as the strategic organizational leader for urban design, real estate development, infrastructure, and sustainability initiatives. She also led the organization's public policy advocacy that resulted in new district plans, improved land use codes and development processes, and advanced downtown Austin as the thriving center of the region. She previously developed and led an organization-wide sustainability program that established strategies, standards, and practices for Seton Healthcare/Ascension Texas, the largest healthcare system and non-profit employer in Central Texas. She also founded Monarch Design/Consulting, an architectural design and consulting firm that specialized in integrated, holistic design strategies that delivered healthy, high-performance buildings. In addition to her professional roles, Michele has a distinguished history of advocacy and community service, which has positioned her as a central figure in sustainable development and policy dialogue. Through her active participation in various legislative sessions, community advisory groups, and task forces, she has emerged as a leading voice in environmental initiatives in our region.