Member Spotlight: Annie Richardson

A Young Leader Helping Shape the Future of Central Ohio Housing

When Annie Richardson joined Onyx+East three years ago, she didn’t expect to find herself helping lead conversations about the future of Central Ohio housing. Now, as a member of the BIA of Central Ohio and its Young Professionals Committee, Annie is passionate about building both homes and the next generation of industry leaders.

A land acquisition and development professional at Onyx + East, Annie entered the field with a background in architecture. After graduating from The Ohio State University’s Knowlton School of Architecture, she spent several years designing multifamily projects. Then, an unexpected opportunity led her to the other side of the table.

“I have always had a passion for creativity and influencing the built environment,” she said. But when Onyx+East asked her to consider a development role, she made the leap. “I really fell in love with the product Onyx+East was building and the creativity behind all that they produce.”

Since then, Annie has played a key role in growing the Columbus office of Onyx + East. She was the second hire locally and helped navigate one of the firm’s earliest developments in the region: Greenery, a build-to-rent community in Lewis Center.

“The most rewarding project for me was our first project called Greenery in Lewis Center,” she said. “I was part of the entitlement process and site permitting prior to construction. It’s been beneficial from so many perspectives to be able to point to something and show our capabilities.”

Finding a Seat at the Table

Annie’s involvement with the BIA started early in her development career, and it made an immediate impression.

“After the first meeting, I walked away saying, ‘How cool that there’s a group of people advocating on our behalf.’ We all have the same issues and the same problems, and the BIA was doing the work to address them.”

– Annie Richardson

She now serves on the Young Professionals Committee and finds it both energizing and empowering. “We’re the next generation of people sitting in those seats at Builders and Developers Council,” she explained. “It’s such a cool thing to think about how we can make things better for homebuilders across the industry.”

Annie believes that the BIA offers valuable opportunities for education, advocacy, and collaboration. “We all have a place here. We all have the opportunity to do what we need to do, and we don’t have to cut each other down to do it. That’s what’s so powerful to me.”

Building Solutions Through Collaboration

Annie brings a unique perspective to zoning and permitting challenges in Central Ohio. She regularly encounters resistance to new housing, particularly in suburban and township communities, but sees opportunities for progress through education and cooperation.

“There’s a growing number of people in our community who are pro-housing, but they don’t want it in their backyard. That’s something we’re continually battling.” Still, she remains hopeful. “As much as we try to understand what neighbors want, it’s not every day that you have a group of people who are willing to meet you in the middle and even advocate on your behalf.”

She also hopes to shift perceptions around what younger buyers want and need in today’s housing market. “The type of housing that older generations wanted is not necessarily what the younger generation wants or can afford. A lot of us want walkability, smaller lots, lower maintenance. But outdated zoning makes that hard to deliver.”

Empowering Young Professionals to Speak Up

When asked what advice she’d give someone just starting out in the building industry, Annie didn’t hesitate: “Let your voice be heard.”

“Our voices are so important. We’re going to be the next generation of first-time homebuyers, and we’re going to shape what the environment looks like in Central Ohio for the next 20 years. We can’t let the status quo drive development.”

-Annie Richardson

She encourages fellow young professionals to get involved, especially with the BIA. “Not all of us get invited to the conversations around development, but we still want our voice to be heard. That’s why I think the BIA is so important: it gives us a collective voice.”

Thank you, Annie, for your leadership, passion, and commitment to housing solutions in Central Ohio!