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. 

DIRECTOR OF DESIGN AND WORKFLOW

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.

Meet the Team

  • Duncan the Doxie

    Office Dog

  • Angela Steele

    Admin Coordinator

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

    Strategic Leader | Culture Builder | Change Maker

    Paul helps organizations navigate complexity, align purpose with performance, and bring strategy to life. With deep experience in executive leadership and organizational transformation, he’s passionate about building workplaces that are good for people, the planet, and business.

    He currently serves as an Executive Director of Passive Place and Director of Strategy at Good Places Properties (USA), and is Principal at Regenerative Outcomes. Formerly, he held senior leadership roles at World Vision, donkey wheel foundation, The Difference Incubator, Benefit Capital and Ethical Property Australia — pioneering purpose-driven ventures across philanthropy, social enterprise, and ethical investing.

    Known for big-picture thinking and a human-centred approach, Paul brings clarity, creativity, and a strong delivery mindset. He’s not just a strategist — he’s a practitioner who turns insight into action and empowers others to do the same.

    “Don’t just develop strategy ... deliver it.”