Ms. Shiva Mendez, CID, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, CCHP, is a principal and behavioral health practice leader at HOK. She has more than 30 years of experience in medical and mental health planning and programming. In addition to community health care settings, she brings a specific understanding of correctional health care and mental health and is one of a handful of design professionals who have received CCHP certification. She strives to incorporate empathy, collaboration, and humanity in the design of each facility. With her training as an interior designer and interest in evidence-based research, she prioritizes efficiency and flexibility while optimizing flow and user interaction with the physical environment. Her recent experience includes the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s mental health crisis prototype, San Mateo County’s Maple Street Correctional Center, Contra Costa’s Competency Unit renovations, Utah State Correctional Facility, and Southern Nevada Forensic Facility. Ms. Mendez is passionate about the integration of function and design and is a natural collaborator with the integrated design team as well as the users, facility operators, and leaders. She is able to leverage her extensive experience and bring best practice examples from a variety of project types to inform her response to each challenge.