Sustainable Specification & Sports Facilities

A Material Bank Event

Panelists will address balancing high-performance demands with eco-friendly materials, navigating budget and regulatory constraints, and managing life cycle impacts.

They will highlight opportunities such as innovative materials, energy efficiency, and community-centered design, while also identifying straightforward strategies like upgrading lighting, water systems, and certified materials.

This Material Bank program supports firms on their sustainable design journey. Material Bank has gathered design professionals from local firms for a presentation and panel discussion that will help you design sports spaces with more confidence and sustainable success!

The Sustainable Specification & Sports Facilities event is a special event organized and presented by Material Bank for KC Design Week!

We have selected each Partner Event to deliver something new, something cutting-edge, something unforgettable, and something delightful to add to our schedule. KC Design Week appreciates Material Bank for their enthusiastic participation!

These events are presented FREE of charge, but advance registration is REQUIRED.

Day Eight - April 29

Apr 29, 2025 | 8:30-10:00am

8:30am | Check-in
9:00am | Panel
Light Breakfast and Coffee Provided

HOK
300 W 22nd St
Kansas City, MO 64108
United States

FREE

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Presenters

Amanda Collen

Equity in Design Champion & Interior Designer, HOK

Amanda is an interior designer with a diverse portfolio spanning cultural and performing arts, entertainment, sports, corporate, and education environments. She excels at building strong client relationships and translating human needs into highly functional, beautifully designed spaces. Passionate about Universal Design, Amanda is committed to creating inclusive, welcoming venues that enhance the experience for all users. Her deep understanding of interior environments—combined with a creative, strategic approach to execution—makes her an invaluable asset to any team.

Chris DeVolder, AIA

Director of Sports+Recreation+Entertainment, HOK

Chris is a director of HOK’s global Sports + Recreation + Entertainment group, with a special emphasis on soccer venues. As a longtime leader of the Sports + Recreation +Entertainment practice, Chris has helped advance how architects and designers approach the programming, design, construction, and operations of sports venues. A recognized thought leader for sustainability, he has contributed to the design of some of the nation’s ‘greenest’ sports facilities. Chris is a frequent speaker and author. He is active with industry and philanthropic organizations including U.S. Green Building Council and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, he is also on the Board of Directors for the Green Sports Alliance. He is a fellow and lecturer at Presidio Graduate School’s MBA course on sports and sustainability and is a graduate of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Centurions Leadership Program.

Ashley Dudek, Assoc. AIA

Senior Interior Design Professional, HOK

Ashley is a senior interior designer specializing in high-performance sports facilities, hospitality, and entertainment environments. She brings a strategic, design-driven approach to creating immersive, fan-centric experiences that elevate the athlete, guest, and spectator journey. Collaborating closely with clients and teams, Ashley ensures each project aligns with its vision, budget, and schedule. From concept development and programming to value engineering and construction administration, her expertise delivers dynamic, functional, and visually compelling environments tailored to the demands of professional sports, hospitality, and entertainment venues.

Vanessa Hostick, AIA

Sustainable Design Leader, HOK

Vanessa Hostick is a Sustainable Design Leader with HOK, part of the St Louis business unit, supporting projects across US. She is the global AIA 2030 manager for HOK and former Working Group past-chair. She has extensive experience in high-performance design, working on more than 100 projects in her time at HOK totaling more than 20 million square feet. She works daily to improve the design, planning, and construction of projects through the implementation of sustainable best practices, including energy efficiency analysis, renewable energy integration, occupant wellness strategies, and third party Certification. She works in all phases of design, and also has experience with existing building O&M, life cycle analysis, green policies for operations and maintenance of buildings and campuses. Vanessa is currently the chair of the ICC Code Action Committee for Sustainable / Energy / High Performance (SEHPCAC).

Dan Staudenmaier

Senior Project Engineer, JE Dunn Construction Company

Dan is a construction professional with five years of experience at JE Dunn, specializing in sports facility construction. He graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Construction Science and Management and has played a key role in high-profile projects, including the recently completed LEED Certified Kansas City Current CPKC Stadium and the Shamrock Zone addition to Bill Snyder Family Stadium in collaboration with HOK. In addition to his work in construction, Dan serves on the KC Sports Commission Emerging Leaders board, where he supports the growth and sustainability of sports infrastructure.

Rebecca Best (Moderator)

Executive Vice President Sustainability
Material Bank®

Rebecca has 20+ years’ experience developing and leading corporate sustainability and marketing strategies within different facets of the construction & design industry. She displays incredible passion in her efforts to integrate sustainability and CSR initiatives into strategic business decisions. Currently, as EVP at Material Bank, her focus leads Material Bank’s commitments to support climate action, as a part of responsible corporate governance. She develops strategies and programs to practically integrate sustainability into design tools. She is consistently driven to create intersections between ROI and sustainability and to uncover new opportunities to bring decarbonization tactics and education directly into construction & design project workflow.