OUR EXPERTS

Sheri Newbold

(Seattle, WA)
All About ADUs Instructor
Architect & Owner, live-work-play

Sheri is the owner of live-work-play, an architecture and interior design firm, where she brings over 20 years’ experience into designing homes, ADUs, additions and renovations, and anything between, that her clients dream of. Sheri has been teaching Seattle-ites about creating detached ADUs for many years, is fluent in sustainable and energy-efficient design, and worked among a committed group of volunteers successfully advocating for the passage of the new ADU changes to the land use code in Seattle in 2019.

Sheri is a content developer and instructor for ADU Specialist trainings in Seattle, WA.

Derek Sherrell

(Talent, Oregon)
All About ADUs Instructor
Founder of ThatADUGuy.com, Builder/Developer

Derek is a real estate investor, ADU builder, and endurance athlete with over 25 years experience in the building/development trade.

His first ADU build was a high school project in 1996. That led to a carpenter apprenticeship and a career as one of the youngest licensed building contractors in Oregon.

Derek founded ThatADUGuy.com and began an open-source video series designed to guide homeowners through the process of building or converting their own ADUs. As a pioneering ADU developer, builder, and investor, Derek brings one of the most comprehensive skill sets to any ADU discussion or instruction. He spends his days running, skiing, talking about ADUs with homeowners, policy makers, builders, and anyone else who will listen.

Derek is a content developer and instructor for ADU Specialist trainings in the Southern Oregon.

Florentine Christian

(Los Angeles, CA)
All About ADUs Instructor
Founder & CEO, Sidekick Homes

Florentine is a licensed ADU Instructor helping Los Angeles area Realtors and professionals become Certified ADU Specialists. She serves as a member of the Casita Coalition and is active on several working groups: Registry of ADU Pros, Local Government, and Codes & Construction. Florentine has been invited to speak at many local and national ADU events and panels, including a recent session hosted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Florentine holds an MA in Organizational Systems with certificate in Building a Sustainable World from Saybrook University.

Florentine is a content developer and instructor for ADU Specialist trainings in the Los Angeles area, CA.

Carrie Shores Diller

(Bay Area, CA)
All About ADUs Instructor
Principal, Inspired ADUs
Principal, Larson Shores Architecture and Interiors

Carrie is the Principal at Inspired ADUs and Larson Shores Architecture & Interiors. She dedicated to timeless architectural and design excellence rooted in a sense of place and purpose. She is a licensed architect and LEED AP, who received her master’s degree in architecture from UC Berkeley, where she met her business partner Josh Larson. Carrie’s fierce commitment to ADUs and aging in community began when she, herself, faced serious spinal problems. She realized, firsthand, that her home was fighting rather than supporting her. The wisdom gained from her 10-year battle for wellness and personal independence opened her eyes to the environmental needs of the disabled and elderly, and informs every Inspired ADU.

Carrie is a content developer and instructor for ADU Specialist trainings in the Bay Area, CA.

Ryan LaPoma

(Bend, OR)
Earth Advantage
Senior Manager, Education

Ryan leads Earth Advantage's partnerships with utilities, governments, and workforce organizations to develop effective training programs that promote the overall market adoption of green building practices. He is responsible for overseeing Earth Advantage's curriculum development and deployment of online and in-person learning programs. He has over 16 years of experience in guiding education-based programs and has worked for Earth Advantage since 2012. Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from University of Oregon.

Kelcy King

(Bellingham, WA)
ADU Specialist (former Licensed Real Estate Agent)
ADU Training Coordinator, Earth Advantage

Kelcy is the ADU Training Coordinator at Earth Advantage and supports our instructors and partners with ADU Specialist and other ADU training deliveries available nationwide. Kelcy held a real estate license for seven years in Oregon and Washington. In her real estate practice, she aligned her passions for sustainability, community based living, middle housing, and ADUs with to support her clients realize their unique real estate goals.