Since 2020, Torey Carter-Conneen has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the 16,000-member professional association that represents landscape architects in the U.S. His primary objective and vision since joining is to elevate the profession of landscape architecture in all communities. Committed to advancing the organization to reach its full potential, he led the development of ASLA’s “2030 Vision,” which affirms the association’s focus on raising awareness of the interaction of people and the environment, thereby better positioning ASLA to take on such challenges as climate change and social equity.

Torey feels passionately about amplifying the story of landscape architecture because of its benefits to people, communities, and the environment. He advocates for the profession through strategic coalition partners, large media platforms, and discussing key issues on domestic and international panels. In the short time since he started, the Library of Congress now archives all ASLA Professional Award winners. Torey enjoys collaborating with ASLA members and helping them promote the work they do.

Richard Roark, Partner and Chief Purpose Officer at OLIN, embeds sustainability and environmental justice into his design practice. His work ranges from community projects to large-scale initiatives like the Los Angeles River Master Plan. Roark's approach emphasizes public enrichment, ecological balance, and has earned accolades including the ASLA/IFLA Global Impact Award and the ASLA Urban Design Award of Excellence. His innovative research projects, such as the Circular Soil initiative, have received EPA grants and ASLA honors. Roark's contributions to rewilding and urban resilience demonstrate his commitment to creating spaces that foster community well-being and environmental sustainability.

Metal Museum Tour Leader, Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Metal Museum Education Session Speaker, Thursday, April 9, 2026

Carissa Hussong has served as Executive Director of the Metal Museum since 2008. Hussong is currently leading a $35 million capital campaign to support a major expansion that will transform the Museum, advance the field of metalworking, and have a lasting impact on the greater Memphis community. Prior to joining the Metal Museum, Hussong was Executive Director of the Urban Art Commission, a Memphis-based non-profit managing public art for the City of Memphis and private clients. Hussong holds an M.B.A. from the University of Memphis, a B.A. in English Literature from Boston University, and a B.A. in Art History from the University of Washington.

Metal Museum Education Session Speaker, Thursday, April 9, 2026

Krissy Buck Flickinger, AIA, LEED Fellow, WELL AP

Senior Associate, LRK

In her 20 years of practicing architecture, Krissy has established a reputation grounded in her belief that good design is about celebrating the history of a community and working within the existing fabric to create the perfect blend of old and new. It is because of this passion for preservation, adaptive reuse, and sustainability that she boasts her own scorecard of 30 projects certified to a variety of green building rating systems, meanwhile encouraging all of LRK’s designs to strive for design excellence. She is the first LEED Fellow, WELL Accredited Professional, and NGBS Green Verifier in the Mid-South region. Krissy is the design team project manager for the Metal Museum.

Metal Museum Tour Leader, Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Metal Museum Education Session Speaker, Thursday, April 9, 2026

Lissa Thompson, ASLA, LEED AP, PLA

Ritchie Smith Associates

Lissa Thompson helped build a landscape architecture, urban design and planning practice recognized for design excellence and commitment to public landscapes, community revitalization, and land stewardship. At RSA she is a lead designer and has managed complex planning projects such as the Memphis Park System Master Plan and Shelby County HUD Resilience Projects. Lissa has helped clients earn LEED certification, notably for the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center (LEED Silver). She is a design landscape architect for the Metal Museum project. Lissa has been a full-time visiting instructor in landscape architecture at the UofA School of Architecture. She earned her MLA from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Metal Museum Tour Leader, Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Metal Museum Education Session Speaker, Thursday, April 9, 2026

Ritchie Smith, ASLA, PLA, Principal

Ritchie Smith Associates

J. Ritchie Smith is a principal with Ritchie Smith Associates (RSA) a landscape architecture, urban design, and planning firm based in Memphis. In his over 40 years of managing the firm he has directed numerous award-winning projects including Shelby Farms Greenline, Memphis International Airport Ground Transportation Center Pedestrian Plaza, Big River Crossing, and numerous projects in Overton Park. He earned his BSLA from the University of Virginia and MLA from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. For the Metal Museum's new facilities in Overton Park, RSA collaborated with WHY throughout the design process. As the LA of record, RSA prepared preliminary and final design documents and is covering construction administration.