Celebrating 10 Years of Community / Karly's Work Anniversary
This year, we celebrate a major milestone - Karly Behncke’s 10-year anniversary at Carducci Associates! Over the past decade, Karly has shown passion, dedication, and a strong focus on community-centered design in every project she has worked on. Her journey reflects not just her evolution as a designer and project manager, but also her unwavering dedication to creating spaces with and for the people who use them.
When asked which projects stand out most in her career, Karly consistently points to those where community outreach played a central role. One that especially resonates with her is the recent Abel De Luna Community Center Project in Healdsburg. For Karly, it was far more than just a project - it was a true partnership between city agencies, non-profits, and, most importantly, the people of Healdsburg.
This sense of connection and purpose isn’t new for Karly - it builds on a foundation laid early in her career. Her experience in Healdsburg brought her back to formative projects like the San Rafael High School Stadium, and the John Hinkel Park and Sunset Futsal Courts community engagement processes. These were the moments that grounded her in design and gave her purpose: “Why are we doing this job? It’s for the people.”
Another standout moment in her career was Don Biddle Community Park - a complex, interdisciplinary project close to her home. As both a designer and construction administration project manager, Karly navigated layers of coordination between geotechnical consultants, artists, city agencies, contractors, and even a sign designer.
“This project challenged me and helped me grow,” Karly shares. “The complexity pushed me to ask better questions, think more broadly, and manage relationships with greater empathy and insight.”
Karly’s spirit of community engagement and working with a broad spectrum of stakeholders is what makes her work so special. Whether she’s leading a design charrette, gathering community input, or helping clients find the best value for their budget, Karly brings a rare ability to truly understand people and weave their voices into the spaces she helps create.
At Carducci Associates, we pride ourselves on being deeply embedded in our local projects, from visioning to implementation. Karly exemplifies that ethos. Her work reminds us that good design isn’t just about aesthetics or function - it’s about belonging.
We are beyond proud to celebrate Karly’s 10 years with us. Her commitment to thoughtful, inclusive design and her belief in the power of community continue to inspire us all. Here’s to the next decade of dream-making, meaningful connections, and creating places that truly reflect the people she serves.
Feature / People