Four business and community leaders joined Southface Institute’s Board of Directors this month, bringing experience in architecture, commercial composting, community development, and more.

As Southface approaches its 50^th year, the sustainable building nonprofit is refining its focus on advocacy, education, and services that collectively improve health, the environment, and economic opportunity. Southface’s board members leverage their expertise to advance these goals. 

Robert Herrig, Metro Atlanta Chamber – Supply Chain and Advanced Manufacturing Director

• Herrig is an economic developer with more than 10 years of experience in urban planning, regional growth, ecosystem building, business recruitment, and capital investments.

• He serves several organizations dedicated to making Atlanta a better place to live and work, including the Olmstead Linear Parks Alliance and RoboGeorgia.

Ramana Koti, TerraVert Sustainability Services, LLC – Owner and Principal Consultant

• Koti is a LEED Fellow, Certified ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP), and a Green Globes Professional with 20 years of green building and consulting experience.

• He serves as a volunteer with the AIA 2030 Commitment National Working Group and USGBC GA Market Leadership Advisory Board.

Sharon Ferguson Pope, RA, Atelier 7 Architects – Co-Founder and Managing Principal

• Pope is an architect registered in Georgia and North Carolina who leads a small boutique firm specializing in the design of residential, retail, food, and performance venues using recycled shipping containers.

• Her experience spans the private and public sectors, including higher education, and she has been featured in Engineering Georgia magazine as one of the “Top 100 Influential Women in Engineering.”

Savannah Seydel, Better Earth – VP of Sustainability

• Seydel leads efforts to advance compostable packaging and circularity within the food service industry through legislation and advocacy, strategy, and community engagement.

• She serves on the boards of BPI and the Georgia Compost Council and is the founder of Atlanta Women in Sustainability.

Southface Board Chair Liz York said, “I am honored to serve with this great group of leaders. Our board members bring experience and wisdom from so many different facets of sustainability, energy, and buildings. Working alongside Southface's innovative staff and dedicated community of partners, we will continue to be a force for progress.”

Southface President James Marlow added, “Southface is excited to welcome our new 2025 board members. We continue to grow the depth of expertise and experience in the built environment, adding leaders who bring a passion for work that makes sense for our communities and economy.”