Speaking of Design

In the first of a Spectations three-part series, Andrew Elmer, HDR architecture sports and recreation director, sits down with Corey Jenkins, former deputy athletics director and chief operating officer at the University of South Dakota and new director of athletics at Campbell University, to discuss how athletic facilities can help athletic programs, student athletes and universities thrive. Corey shares how, as the university’s “front porch,” athletics can serve as a catalyst for campus visibility and growth while positioning institutions for success in a rapidly evolving college athletics landscape.Spectations, part of our Speaking of Design podcast, speaks to the evolving landscape of sports and recreation and the spaces that bring them to life. 

In the 16th episode of the “Listen, Mental Health Matters” podcast series, Brian Giebink, behavioral and mental health director at HDR, talks with Leah Kaiser, director of behavioral health for Hennepin County, and Adesola Oni, senior department administrator for Hennepin County Behavioral Health, about building a more equitable, accessible and responsive system of mental health care in Minnesota. Kaiser and Oni share how Hennepin County has spent the past decade using community engagement, data and national best practices to identify disparities and rethink where and how people receive support. Together, they explore how person-centered planning, early intervention, low-barrier access and stronger connections across schools, justice, emergency response and community services can help move behavioral healthcare upstream, meeting people where they are before needs escalate into crisis.

In the 15th episode of the “Listen, Mental Health Matters” podcast series, Brian Giebink, behavioral and mental health practice director, travels to Louisville, Kentucky, to talk with Katy Hopkins, Ph.D., medical director of Norton Children’s Behavioral Health, and Dr. Chris Peters, child and adolescent psychiatrist and sports psychiatrist at Norton Children’s, about building a more connected continuum of behavioral healthcare for children and families. Hopkins and Peters share how their careers led them to pediatric behavioral health and a common purpose: removing barriers to care. Together, they explore how integrating behavioral health into primary care, strengthening partnerships across the community and using data to identify gaps can expand access in a region where demand continues to outpace available services.

In this episode of Spectations, Andrew Elmer, HDR architecture sports and recreation director, welcomes Tim Baron, associate principal in HDR’s sports and recreation architecture practice. Tim details how his experience in college athletics, event and capital project management, and supporting the College Football Playoff National Championship has informed his approach to both sports facility design and working with clients. Andrew and Tim explore the importance of relationships, fan-focused venues and technology-enabled design tools that are transforming how sports and recreation facilities are planned and come to life.Spectations, part of our Speaking of Design podcast, speaks to the evolving landscape of sports and recreation and the spaces that bring them to life. 

In the 14th episode of the “Listen, Mental Health Matters” podcast series, Brian Giebink, behavioral and mental health practice director, talks with Deanna Sperling, president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Center and senior vice president of the RWJBarnabas Health Behavioral Health Service Line, about building and leading one of the nation’s largest integrated behavioral health service lines. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience, Sperling shares how commitment to standardization and collaboration across specialties has helped expand access to behavioral healthcare throughout New Jersey. Together, they explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the field today, from telehealth and workforce shortages to persistent stigma and social determinants of health, while highlighting the partnerships and patient-centered strategies that help connect people with care when and where they need it most.

Spectations, part of our Speaking of Design podcast, speaks to the evolving landscape of sports and recreation and the spaces that bring them to life. In Spectations’ inaugural episode, Andrew Elmer, HDR architecture sports and recreation director, sits down with Amy Hornocker, executive director of the College World Series, who shares an inside look at the operations, traditions and community impact behind one of college sports’ biggest events. Their conversation dives into how community partnerships, innovative stadium design and fan engagement are shaping the future of college sports.

In the 13th episode of the “Listen, Mental Health Matters” podcast series, Brian Giebink, HDR’s director of behavioral and mental health, takes us to Billings, Montana, to talk with Frontier Psychiatry CEO Dr. Eric Arzubi. Dr. Arzubi shares his own story of purpose-driven reinvention: After careers in journalism and finance, he pursued psychiatry to build a life centered on human service. In their discussion, Dr. Arzubi and Brian explore why rural healthcare must be simpler and more discreet. They also focus on how telehealth and measurement-based care can reduce stigma, travel burdens and confusion around access in rural communities, leading to better outcomes for patients who may not have sought care otherwise.

In the 12th episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, travels to Phoenix, Arizona, with guest host Tara Brown, HDR health principal, to explore Valleywise Health’s pivotal role as Maricopa County’s safety net for behavioral health care. Valleywise Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health Services Gene Cavallo shares his personal journey from direct care to leadership, and how Valleywise has grown from a single facility to more than 400 beds while championing integrated care. Discover the hospital’s rich legacy — from its roots in the early 1900s to leading initiatives like first-episode psychosis programs and one of the nation’s largest psychiatry residency programs. Learn how Valleywise is addressing stigma, expanding access and shaping the future of behavioral health across Arizona.

In the 11th episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead, visits Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to explore how it's leading the way in pediatric mental and behavioral health. Division Director for Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology Dr. Avni Modi and Interim Division Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Dr. Suzanne Sampang share their personal journeys, the hospital’s rich legacy, and groundbreaking initiatives — from school-based services to integrated care and cutting-edge research. Learn how Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is shaping the future of mental health care for children across Ohio and beyond.

In the 10th episode of “Listen, Mental Health Matters,” Brian Giebink, HDR’s behavioral and mental health practice lead and guest host Chris Haedt, HDR health principal, sit down with Dr. Kelly Blankenship, associate chief medical officer and division chief of psychiatry at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Dr. Blankenship shares her journey into child psychiatry and her mission to expand access to youth mental health care. She discusses innovative approaches like facility dogs for de-escalation, rapid follow-up after emergency visits and the hospital’s role as the region’s only inpatient children’s mental health facility. From college-age programs to parent education, the episode explores community collaboration, school-based resiliency programs and pilot initiatives for outpatient care. The group also reflects on the pandemic and social media’s impact on youth, and how advocacy and education can shape the future of mental healthcare.