By Melissa Alonso | March 2026 - Atlanta, GA

When Liz York first arrived at Georgia Tech, she didn’t just find a profession. She found a way to shape how people experience the world. Now, decades later, that impact has come full circle. York, ARCH 1990, M. ARCH 1995, has been named one of the newest honorees on Pathway of Progress: Celebrating Georgia Tech Women, a permanent campus installation recognizing individuals who have made lasting contributions to their fields, communities, and the Institute. 

For York, the recognition is deeply personal. “This is a true honor… because it’s my beloved Alma mater shining a bright light on a life’s work of sustainable facilities management, healthy communities, and helping the next generation of GT leaders chase their passions,” York said.

York’s path into architecture began early, shaped by both family influence and a moment of representation that made the profession feel real. Her grandfather’s connection to the field first sparked her awareness of architecture, but it was meeting architect Ivenue Love-Stanley, a Georgia Tech alumna who had worked with him, that brought that possibility into focus. “That moment stuck with me,” York said in a recent interview. 

“I realized architecture was science, art, and also something that affects people’s lives.” At Georgia Tech, York built the foundation for a career that would span architecture, sustainability, and public health. The experience was rigorous, and at a time when women were still a minority in the field, it also required persistence.

 “There were moments when I had to prove I belonged,” York said. “But that challenge pushed me to work harder and become more confident in my voice as a designer. I knew I was going to do the work, succeed, and contribute something meaningful to the profession.” That mindset, grounded in determination and purpose, would shape every step of her career.

Today, York serves as a managing principal at HDR and is widely recognized as a leader at the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and public health. Her work reflects a broader understanding of what architecture can do. “Architecture sits at the intersection of science and art,” she said. 

“You’re constantly balancing performance, design, and the human experience.” 

York has spent much of her career advancing sustainable design practices and helping organizations rethink how buildings support both environmental performance and human well-being. As the first Chief Sustainability Officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she helped shape strategies that connect the built environment to public health outcomes. That approach continues to influence her work today. 

She has also contributed to national design guidance, including co-authoring best practices for lactation and wellness room design. Through that work, she has advocated for spaces that support working mothers and promote equity in the workplace.

York’s impact extends beyond her professional work. She has remained deeply connected to Georgia Tech, serving in multiple leadership roles and supporting the College of Design through mentorship, service, and philanthropy. 

“She’s a terrific architect who specializes in sustainability and provides lots of inspiration to our student body,” said Dean Ellen Bassett. “She is also a stalwart in supporting the College, serving in many roles including chairing our Advisory Board for many years.” 

That commitment to giving back is a defining part of York’s legacy. It also reflects the purpose behind Pathway of Progress. The installation, made possible through philanthropic support and designed as a living, evolving recognition of Georgia Tech women, honors individuals whose work reflects the Institute’s motto of Progress and Service.

For York, the Pathway of Progress honor is not just a recognition of past achievements. It reflects a career that continues to shape the future. Her work explores how design can respond to some of today’s most pressing challenges, including climate, health, equity, and community well-being. 

Through her continued engagement with Georgia Tech, she remains focused on supporting the next generation of designers and leaders. “Helping the next generation… chase their passions,” as she described it, is not just part of her legacy. It is part of her ongoing work. 

As students walk the Pathway of Progress, York’s name becomes part of a larger story. It reflects not only individual achievement, but the growing impact of women in design, leadership, and the built environment.