HMC Architects is proud to announce that Joanna Mack, NOMA, NCARB, has joined the firm as principal-in-charge for its growing Community + Culture practice. Based in the Sacramento office, Joanna will lead community-centered design strategies that strengthen equity, health, and resilience across the region and beyond.

Joanna brings more than a decade of experience advancing equitable, community-driven design solutions that improve social conditions and expand opportunity. Her background spans urban planning, infill development, and affordable housing, with a practice deeply rooted in collaboration with underserved communities. Her work prioritizes inclusive, resilient outcomes grounded in local needs—aligning strongly with HMC’s mission to design for the public good.

A recognized leader in community engagement and policy-informed design, Joanna has contributed to multiple national Urban Land Institute (ULI) initiatives, including the National Building Healthy Places Health & Equity Report and Community Toolkit focused on Sacramento’s Meadowview neighborhood. She has also served on Advisory Services Panels offering strategic redevelopment guidance in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and St. Louis, Missouri. Her impact has earned significant regional and national recognition, including being named one of Sacramento Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.

“With Joanna’s leadership, we’re expanding our ability to partner meaningfully with communities and deliver design that supports long-term well-being,” said Kyle Peterson, HMC’s community + culture practice leader. “Because she knows how to partner with residents and create positive change at the neighborhood level, she brings tremendous value to our clients and the communities we support, advancing our Design for Good ethos.”

Joanna also serves as Chair of ULI Sacramento’s District Council through 2027, where she helps guide regional planning, development strategies, and community impact initiatives across Northern California.

She holds a B.A. in Architecture with a Minor in Urban Affairs and Planning from Virginia Tech and is a licensed architect in California.