Meet the Campbells

Most mornings in Five Points, the Campbell house start the same way: Stacy and Keith sit down together with coffee and work through Wordle and Connections. It’s a simple habit, but it reflects the kind of life they’ve built—busy and accomplished but grounded in consistency and shared moments.

 Their story began in 1995 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where they met as graduate students in social psychology. Both had already set their sights on academic careers, and that shared goal shaped much of what came next. Stacy, originally from Brooklyn, had attended Lafayette College before UNC, while Keith, from Laguna Beach, had studied at UC Berkeley before beginning his PhD. What started as a meeting of similar interests quickly became a partnership that would span careers, cities, and eventually, become a family.

After graduate school, Keith continued on the academic path, completing a postdoctoral position at Case Western before accepting a role at the University of Georgia as a professor of psychology. Stacy’s path took a different turn for a time. She spent eight years working as a management consultant with KPMG and the North Highland Company, gaining experience outside of academia before deciding to return. When their first daughter, McKinley, was born, the pace and traveling no longer fit the life she wanted. She went back to graduate school—this time at UGA’s Terry College of Business—and eventually stepped into her current role as Director of the Institute for Leadership Advancement.

About 22 years ago, the Campbells chose to settle in Five Points. At the time, the decision was practical: they wanted to be close to campus and live in a place where they could walk to schools, parks, and local businesses while raising young children. Over time, that practicality turned into something more meaningful. Priceless memories were made walking their girls to Barrow Elementary every morning when they were young. Five Points offered not just convenience, but a sense of community that has shaped their day-to-day life ever since.

Their home also includes Stacy’s mother, Valerie McIlraith, who lives in the carriage house behind them. Having her close by has been a blessing, especially as the girls were growing up and now as family routines continue to evolve. She’s a regular presence at football games and gatherings, and her love of the sport runs deep—Stacy’s father was a semi-pro football coach, so watching games has long been part of family life.

Fall is the season that ties many of these pieces together. Football Saturdays, cooler weather, and a steady calendar of events make it the time of year they enjoy most. Whether they’re attending games or watching from home, it’s usually a group effort.

Those routines are part of what keeps their week structured. Monday nights are reserved for steak night, with Keith handling the cooking. Fridays are for walking to dinner at ZZ & Simone’s, a standing plan that marks the transition into the weekend. Living in Five Points makes those habits easy—no planning required, just a short walk and a favorite destination.

They’ve built other habits around staying active, adjusting over time as needed. Stacy enjoys Pure Barre classes and attends Transfit on Saturdays. Keith’s routine includes walking the dogs through the neighborhood and going to hot yoga. When the weather allows, they also spend time in the backyard, a quieter counterpoint to the activity of the week.

Thanksgiving is one of their longest-standing traditions. For the past 24 years, they’ve spent the holiday with close friends from their UNC days who now live in Sandy Springs. They’ve come to appreciate the simplicity of the easy drive and meal sharing while catching up.

Travel has also been a significant part of their family life. With academic schedules that allowed for longer breaks, they often planned extended trips in December and July. Those trips took them to places like South Africa, New Zealand, and the Galápagos Islands. More recently, they’ve shifted toward a favorite closer to home—Anna Maria Island, Florida—where they hope to spend more time going forward.

Their daughters have grown up within this structure of routines, travel, and community. McKinley now lives in New York City, working as an investment banker, and Charlotte is a senior at Athens Academy. While their day-to-day lives have changed, the foundation remains the same, shaped by years spent in close proximity to campus and surrounded by dear neighbors and friends.

What stands out most about the Campbells’ life in Five Points is how integrated everything is. Work, home, and community aren’t separate spheres—they overlap in ways that make daily life more connected. They can walk to coffee, dinner, or a quick errand. They run into people they know. Even the occasional fraternity party nearby has become part of the environment they’ve come to expect.

Their approach to life is summed up in a quote they return to often: “This is at good as it gets.” It’s reflected less in big statements and more in how they’ve structured their lives—prioritizing time together, staying connected to their community, and making choices that support both family and work.

After more than two decades in Five Points, the Campbells have a rhythm to life that is home. Shaped by steady routines, cherished traditions, and a neighborhood that has embraced them every step of the way.