For Denise Starling, being on the move is a strategy, not just a statement. As executive director of Livable Buckhead for over two decades, she has been at the forefront of transforming the district into a more eco-conscious, connected community. In this role, she facilitates the transportation, sustainability, and workforce housing initiatives that will reshape Buckhead’s future while staying true to one guiding principle: innovate or die. “Innovation isn’t just about chasing big ideas; it’s about solving real problems in smarter ways,” she says.
Starling’s journey began in 1999 when she realized Buckhead’s traffic and air-quality issues weren’t just daily inconveniences, but barriers to a thriving community. She wanted to do more than simply reduce the amount of time people spent in traffic. That epiphany led to the creation of Livable Buckhead, which has since developed major projects such as PATH400, a greenway designed to connect neighborhoods and provide a safe route for bikers. She also established the Buc, Atlanta’s first micro-transit service, which has reduced 7.4 tons of carbon emissions and eliminated over 15,000 vehicle trips since 2022.
Transit isn’t Starling’s only focus. She also tackles workforce housing affordability, an often-overlooked piece of the transportation puzzle. “Every single day, 92 percent of Buckhead residents leave to work elsewhere, while 92 percent of the workforce commutes in from outside the area,” Starling says. To address this disparity, in 2011 she launched Live.Work.Buckhead, an initiative providing rent subsidies to help workers live closer to their jobs. Starling’s leadership also extends to sustainable development; her team encourages developers to use lower-carbon materials in new Class-A properties, helping to reduce the district’s emissions.
Looking ahead, Starling envisions a fully connected PATH400 with the Atlanta BeltLine, expanded transit options around the city, more green spaces, and policies that prioritize walkability. “Our work has grown significantly, but our core values have remained the same,” she says. “We must be committed to inspiring innovation, change, and a sense of community.” – TYRA DOUYON
