Joining Forces to Revitalize a Local Community, Sustainably
In this episode of I Hear Design, the teams at Citizen HKS, Boaz & Ruth and i+s sit down to talk about their collaboration on Benefield, a community based project that revitalizes the Highland Park corridor in Richmond, Virginia, that will become a place that anchors and supports the community’s youth, serving as a catalyst for change and hope.
About Our Guests:
Nick Cooper, AIA, principal and design director, HKS Richmond
Nick is known for his award-winning design around the world but is most proud of his community-based work through thought leadership and service to Richmond’s Storefront for Community Design and as a Co-Director of Citizen HKS, the firms’ public interest design and community engagement initiative.
Richmond’s Style Weekly honored Nick with a 40 under 40 Award in 2018 for excelling professionally and serving as an example of innovation, leadership and service to the community. He is just one of two architects to be awarded the honor since Style launched the program more than 30 years ago.
Nick is most passionate about mentoring and empowering the next generation of critical thinkers at HKS and throughout Richmond as he serves as the Chair for AIA Virginia’s Emerging Leaders in Architecture program and continues to serve on AIA Richmond’s YAF Committee.
Megan Rollins, president and CEO, Boaz & Ruth
Prior to working at Boaz & Ruth, Megan began her career in the kitchen and bath design industry at REICO Kitchen and Bath. She gained nonprofit experience at Boaz & Ruth as a volunteer, volunteer coordinator, AmeriCorps Director and Chief Operations Officer prior to taking on the responsibilities of President and CEO.
A graduate of Mary Baldwin College, Megan and holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and a Master’s in Public Administration from VCU. She is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond, received the 2012 Stettinius Award for Nonprofit Leadership and was named the Greater Richmond Volunteer Administrator of the Year for 2011. She is a graduate of the Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Program and Richmond Christian Leadership Initiative.
Dorian Sosa, design professional, HKS
About the Author
Robert Nieminen
Chief Content Director
Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources
Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.
He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.
Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.