We are civic innovators, artists, designers, futurists, and storytellers.

Mark Barry

Mark's corporate career in Chicagoland has ranged from packaged foods to special education, among so many others. Since '08, he has advised startups on strategies for a future energy paradigm.

He and his wife love to swim in Lake Michigan, run a small nonprofit, grow peaches, and ride their tandem bike all over our great city. He is a founding member of the Good City Group in 2013.

Thomas Chiu

Thom is a Chicagoan currently working as an architect in Architecture Research Office.  He has worked extensively in cultural history and natural history exhibit design in the US and China. Thom’s interest lies in tactical urban interventions that projects collective ownership and provoke conversations on local infrastructure.

Thom graduated from Columbia University GSAPP with a master's degree in Architecture and School of The Art Institute of Chicago with a bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture.

Odile Compagnon

Odile is an architect with a practice in Chicago, IL, and Paris, France. She teaches architecture and scenography at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

She likes to always have something to say when someone asks her "What’s Good?” She is a founding member of the Good City Group in 2013.

Benet Haller

Benet has lived, learned and worked in the Chicago area for more than 35 years. He has worked in both the public and private sector in planning, transportation, and architecture. He has biked every paved trail near Chicago more than once.

Currently, he is the Transit Manager for the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways. He is a founding member of the Good City Group in 2013.

Kevin Henry

Kevin is an associate professor of design and a visiting professor in the Fashion Studies program where he teaches in the product development track.

He is a product and interaction designer and author, with a background in industrial design, time-based media, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. He is a founding member of the Good City Group in 2013.

Nilay Mistry

Nilay (PLA, ASLA) is a landscape architect and urban designer based in Chicago with several years of experience in design practice and education in the United States, Africa, and Asia. Born into an immigrant family, he has always been fascinated with parks, streets, and informal settlements as shared spaces for all that participate in cities. 

Nilay is a full time faculty member in Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture and founding member of the Good City Group.

Susanne Schnell

Susanne brings a background in urban and cultural planning, community health, and design thinking. Her work creates alliances and civic infrastructure for healthy, connected communities.

Currently, she is Program Director at Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago. Susanne is a founding member of the Good City Group in 2013.

Traci Wile

Traci is a community organizer, artist, and designer. She deeply believes in working for and with people to foster empowered, cohesive communities.

She is Associate Professor of Architectural Design at James Madison University and became a member of the Good City Group in 2020.