Visionary GPS Inc. is the latest brainchild of Lorna Harris, a life long professional who is a thought leader, producer, connector and general all around results-oriented person. An inspired communicator and strategist, she knows what it takes to turn your goals into reality by providing substantive solutions that enhance the performance, operational, governance and fiscal success for her clients which have led to large-scale campaigns.
Lorna’s areas of service include: Governance; Fundraising/development programs; Feasibility studies; Strategic plans; Communications plans and Program development of special projects.
Lorna has held leadership roles at the Ford Foundation, and consulted with the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations, the New York State Council on the Arts, and others. Before founding Visionary GPS, Inc. she worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where she was charged with business development creating substantial opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses and was instrumental in the establishment of the first K-5 Charter School in Richmond County, New York. In her consulting work, she has also launched fundraising and public relations campaigns, specializing in multicultural, multidisciplinary, legacy, and cause-related projects such as the Romare Bearden Homecoming Celebration and the Green Roof at Silver Cup Studios. She holds a professional Certificate of Leadership from Cornell University School of Labor, is an alumna of Beloit College, and a long-time New Yorker, who makes her home in St. George, Staten Island.
“Lorna’s governance, fundraising, marketing and public relations experience helped to ensure long-term financial viability and balanced visionary leadership with operational implementation for the Staten Island Community Charter School”. E. Icolari, Board Chairperson
“Her gift of creating and managing assets for long-term economic development produces new relevant versions of sustainable community development and engagement.” K. Washington, Member Community Board 1, Staten Island, NY
Practicing locally and globally, Louise Braverman is an award-winning architect, whose highly focused firm is committed to building sustainable architecture of art + conscience. A graduate of the Yale School of Architecture, she established her practice, Louise Braverman Architect, to design architecture that is situated in both its time and place. Her work has won numerous design awards and been recognized by her peers, resulting in her early selection as a New York Architectural League’s Emerging Voice, elevation to fellowship in the American Institute of Architects and invitations to present the work of her firm at the 2018, 2016, 2014 and 2012 Venice Architecture Biennales, both at international exhibits and at the United States Pavilion.
Designing aesthetically inventive projects, her studio searches for elemental solutions to complex architectural problems, using common means to achieve uncommon results. Recent projects that embrace diverse communities include Centro de Arts Nadir Afonso, an art museum in Boticas, Portugal that encourages public participation with art; the Derfner Judaica Museum, an art museum in Riverdale, New York that facilitates multi-generational engagement and Village Health Works Staff Housing, an off- the-grid dormitory in the post-genocide village of Kigutu, Burundi.
Louise has been invited to discuss her architectural perspective both nationally and internationally including lectures at Iowa AIA Convention, The Plan Magazine Perspective USA Lectures, Columbia School of Architecture and Planning, the Yale School of Architecture, the Cooper Union Institute for Sustainable Design, the Yale Club, the Montclair Art Museum, the AIA New York Chapter, the Chicago Archeworks Lectures, Ryerson School of Architecture and the International UIA Istanbul Congress in Turkey. Recently she shared her thoughts about how Venice amplifies her artistic impulse in her essay in JoAnn Locktov’s 2016 book, Dream of Venice Architecture.
She also regularly contributes to the field by serving on design award juries including the 2017 AIA Chicago Design Awards, the 2016 Fellowship for the Civita Institute, the 2014 AIA National Housing Awards and the 2017 and 2012 Chicago Athenaeum GOOD DESIGN Awards. An active agent of change, she supports programs that foster inclusion in the field of architecture by participating in such diverse panels and programs as the 2015 An Inclusive Edge panel at the Chicago Architecture Biennale, the 2014 Principled Design panel at Art Basel Miami, and the 2014 video, Voices from Venice.