Our Team
Ellis Wills-Begley- Architecture Design
Ellis Wills-Begley is an architectural designer and fabricator, and passionate about using natural and recycled materials for long-term social and environmental impact. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Architecture from the University of Michigan with more than 10 years of architectural experience and is currently pursuing a Licensure.
In collaboration with several associates, Ellis recently co-created Bale Craft, a design cooperative that specializes in Natural Building and Design, where he is a Project Manager and Lead Designer. Ellis is constantly working with regional regulatory agencies and various organizations to ensure code compliance, exceed health requirements, and promote the growth of available green building materials in new construction.
Cody Ley- Founder, Farmer, Builder
Cody Ley is a Michigan based farmer and founder of Hemp 4 Humanity. Cody started H4H with a goal to provide plant based housing solutions that are built in cooperation with the natural environment.
Since 2021 Cody has worked on building and supporting the Michigan hemp supply chain from the farm up. Working with local farmers, researchers, engineers, and architects we’ve developed a system that makes it possible to build accessible and sustainable healthy hempcrete housing with their crew of licensed contractors specializing in hemp lime applications.
Liz Barney-Community Director
Liz Barney is a writer and filmmaker with a passion for telling character-driven narratives that connect and create change. Liz has a passion for showcasing our connection to the natural world through her story telling. She is the founder of a nonprofit called Open Spoon, a monthly local gathering timed up with natural cycles of nature, which showcases her talent for cultivating spaces for collaboration and connection in communities. Her documentaries have been published on major platforms such as PBS and she manages all community outreach and education events from the farm to the frame.
Ashley Connelly- Grant Writing/Strategic Development
Ashley is a female founder, serial entrepreneur and business leader with extensive quality experience in government contracting, business management of programs, non-profit and small business startups, project proposal development and strategic planning. Her personal values include equitable access to opportunities, executing with the highest integrity, advancing positive social impact, and building teams.
Caroline Dunn- Architecture and Design
Caroline Dunn, AIA, CPHD is a licensed architect and design strategist focused on smaller, passive, and resilient buildings.
After growing up in Austin she earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and began her career working on affordable multi-family housing. In 2020, a solo road trip across the American West inspired her to launch BIOBUILD, a practice exploring materiality and sustainable design.
Since then, she has designed plant based architecture—typically through a design-build approach that unites architect and contractor—to create buildable, joyful projects guided by clear communication and documentation.
BIOBUILD also contributes expertise in advocacy, education, materials consulting, and life cycle analysis to advance low-carbon design.
Shiloh Slomsky -Fractional CFO
Shiloh Slomsky- Fractional CFO
Over the course of Shiloh’s career, she has worked to empower the next generation through roles in economic development and education. She specializes in working with Native American communities to advance innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives. Shiloh is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Sault Tribe Inc. She is offering the grant compliance and financial strategy to our team.
