L. BENJAMIN STARRETT (“Ben”)
Miami, FL

AFFILIATION: Executive Director, Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Public Policy, Smart Growth Planning

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE: Ben brings with him a wealth of experience from his work in Florida in city government, the Legislature, and a wide variety of roles with the Florida Department of Community Affairs including his work as State Coordinator of the Eastward Ho! initiative. As Executive Director of the Funders' Network, Ben has built a membership organization of nearly ninety philanthropic foundations, representing over $50 billion in assets, who are interested in supporting Smart Growth efforts through their awards and grants. His previous work as a Collins Fellow with the Collins Center resulted in a series of articles by Neal Pierce on the challenges facing South Florida and Miami and numerous other initiatives to strengthen the South Florida region.

RESEARCH INTERESTS: Ben is pursuing the establishment of an Urban Design Center in South Florida. This concept is taking shape and gaining support among members of the South Florida planning and design community and potential funding partners. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has become a significant early investor in the creation of such a Center focused on the Overtown neighborhood. The Overtown Civic Partnership and Design Center will be hired its first staff in the summer of 2002.

E-MAIL: ben@fundersnetwork.org