Nikki Riley
Director of Program Management
Nikki is a passionate designer and land use planner whose career objective is to inspire and be inspired. She specializes in architectural design, community planning, affordable housing, and green building. Nikki has honed her skills at UC Berkeley, in the private sector, and most recently as a Truckee, California Planning Commissioner. Nikki is an active community member and outspoken leader in maximizing the value of growth for people, nature, and the economy.
Nikki joined SBC in 2006 and is leading our efforts to apply innovative designs and tools to help Sierra Nevada communities plan for and invest in long-term prosperity.
Professional Experience
Nikki is a Program Director focusing on SBC’s Planning and Sustainable Business and Development Practices programs. She brings to SBC a unique combination of technical acumen, private sector experience, and public service as a former Town of Truckee Planning Commissioner. Nikki has participated in projects from inception to completion and takes pride in all jobs, both large and small. She is a tireless advocate for innovative and sustainable approaches to planning, design, and construction and specializes in architectural design, community planning, affordable housing, and green building.
Prior to joining SBC, Nikki was a partner/designer at designSense, an architectural design & model building firm established in 1999 in Truckee, California. Nikki has completed a number of projects in and around Lake Tahoe, gaining a varied understanding of local agency policies in the region. Nikki worked as a designer at Ryan Group Architects as well as in the field of landscape architecture at LJM Design Group, both in Truckee, California. In 2002, Nikki started Ne designs, a full-service welding & design company. With a focus on furniture and lighting, Ne designs created contemporary, functional art pieces for homes and businesses throughout the Tahoe region. Ne designs closed its doors in 2006. From 2002 to 2007, Nikki served on the Truckee Planning Commission, participating in multiple planned communities, countless projects, and a General Plan update. She served as Chairwoman for the Commission from January 2005 through January 2006. She is currently a member of the Town of Truckee Affordable Housing Working Group.
Education
Nikki holds a BA in Architecture from the College of Environmental Design, University of California at Berkeley. She studied for one year at the Institute of Architecture, Venice Italy. She has continued her education with emphasis on community planning, affordable housing, and green building.
Personal Highlights
Nikki lives in Truckee with her husband, Brendan and son, Dylan. She is multilingual, an international traveler, and loves to cook.
