With a little selfless creativity and over 25 years in our industry, we help good people do good things.

Our Staff

PRINCIPAL

Cherie Ong

A real estate developer and business consultant working to create innovative, sustainable, and equitable communities in Atlanta. Cherie co-founded Good Places because she loves creating values-driven mission-aligned good places for local communities.

With over 20 years in strategy and management consulting experience in the private and non-profit sector, she thrives at the intersection of corporate, not-for-profit, faith-based, and government organizations finding effective solutions to create innovative, sustainable, and transformational outcomes for the advancement of those living on the margins.

MANAGING PARTNER

John “EJ” Lee

An operational architect and social impact strategist, EJ passionately pursues innovative solutions for social, economic, and environmental impact through real estate development. Born and raised in Atlanta, EJ is a systems thinker that is constantly looking for ways to challenge the status quo, pioneer new initiatives, and maximize every opportunity. With 17+ years of leading and managing nonprofits and faith-based teams for mission-driven outcomes, EJ places a high value on doing good and positively influencing the lives of people. 

DESIGN + EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR

Dayle Bennett

Dayle is a creative consultant, teacher, and speaker that provides a fresh perspective to help teams and individuals find joy in their daily lives. She cares about how design influences meaningful experiences and inspiring spaces.

Dayle has over 25 years of experience in branding, crafting, and design. Dayle’s creative mind has shaped companies like West Elm, Neiman Marcus, Gucci, and Hallmark.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

James Dickens

James has a background in… non-profit strategy, housing, and international development. He is passionate about using real estate and business to address issues of community development and social justice. Having worked and studied in southern Africa and Southeast Asia, he is now focused on creating innovative solutions to the housing crisis and the systemic wealth gaps that shape Atlanta and the United States

Meet the Team

  • Amy Koed

    Koed LLC

  • Jeanette Dickens

    Consutlant

  • Duncan Bennett

    Office Dog

Board of Advisors

  • Carlos de Quesada

    ADVISOR

    Continuing his 25+ years of business, managerial and finance work, in October 2011, Carlos founded VeraCruz Advisory, LLC focused on providing financial advisory and strategic consulting services to non-profit institutions. Prior to working with NFPs Carlos was a minority shareholder at the fastest growing Hispanic-owned company in the U.S., Liberty Power. Before pursuing his 2005-2007 entrepreneurial path at Liberty Power, Mr. de Quesada had 11 years of New York City-based international, for-profit banking experience with domestic and international institutions including Citigroup. The firm and its associates have originated, structured and closed more than $850 million in financings and interest rate derivatives for both for-profit and NFP clients across the U.S.

    In April 2015, Carlos completed the Gulf Coast Community Foundation-hosted BoardSource® NFP board governance training and is now part of the GCCF’s 15-consultant cohort, Invest in Incredible technical assistance program. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Carlos is a first generation American of Cuban parents and is bilingual (English-Spanish). Though traveling nationally, Carlos resides in Bradenton, Florida with his wife, Cynthia, of 29 years, 21-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter.

  • Kyle Reis

    ADVISOR

    Kyle joined Cooper Carry in 2006, was made a Principal in 2019, and became the firm’s President & CEO in 2021. He leads more than 300 employees in the Atlanta, Washington DC and New York offices. Kyle served as the leader of the firm’s Urban Design and Planning Studio from 2017 to 2021. Kyle’s architecture background and 15 years of planning experience has led to his passion for quality urban design and place making. He strives for an inclusive design process in which the best ideas rise to the top, public spaces are made meaningful, and people have a diversity of options in their community.

    Kyle is an Association of Certified Planners (AICP) Certified Professional, member of the American Planning Association (APA), Georgia Planning Association (GPA), and a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). Kyle is a registered Architect and member of NCARB and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

  • Paul Steele

    ADVISOR

    Paul has a rare view of the world - he believes that business can do good while doing well; that blended value is possible. One of his favorite conversations is designing strategies to make the world a better place that involves business principles and produce sustainable organizations.

    Paul is currently the CEO of donkey wheel foundation - a leading impact investment and philanthropic foundation, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of The Difference Incubator