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Transforming Firm Culture: Retaining Talent and Fostering Collaboration

AIA CES program ID: GMG.0023

Approved LUs: 1 LU|Elective

Prerequisites: None

Program level: Entry

Advance learner preparation: None

When your best people leave, it’s rarely about money—it’s about culture.

This AIA-approved course goes behind the curtain of HOK’s evolution to reveal what actually keeps talent loyal, teams aligned, and projects moving forward. Featuring insights from former HOK CEO Patrick MacLeamy, this isn’t just theory—it’s lived leadership at the highest level. If you’re building a firm, managing people, or trying to fix burnout from the inside out, this course gives you the architecture for a culture that lasts.

Program Description

In this AIA continuing education course, Patrick MacLeamy—former CEO of global architecture giant HOK—traces his rise from junior designer to firm principal, unpacking the internal changes, missteps, and breakthroughs that shaped HOK’s rise as an industry leader.

Through stories from iconic projects like the Moscone Center and reflections on firm-wide transformation, MacLeamy outlines what it truly takes to lead: clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to growth—both personal and organizational.

He shares practical strategies for retaining top talent, building trust among collaborators (including contractors), and creating a culture where innovation thrives and egos don’t derail execution. This course is a must for any architect who’s leading a team or looking to build something that lasts longer than the next hiring cycle.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze the key strategies Patrick MacLeamy identified for fostering innovation within an architectural firm
2. Examine the cultural practices that contributed to HOK’s success and longevity as an international architecture firm
3. Evaluate the lessons shared by Patrick MacLeamy regarding sustainable business practices in the architectural field
4. Develop an understanding of the historical evolution of HOK and its impact on modern architectural practices

Who This Course Is For

• Principals and firm leaders trying to stop the talent drain
• Project managers tasked with turning teams into collaborators
• Architects navigating growth, team dynamics, and burnout
• AEC professionals earning AIA CE credit who want leadership insights from the top

Why It Matters

• Gain exclusive insight from one of architecture’s most experienced firm leaders
• Learn how real culture change happens—from the inside out
• Earn AIA CE credit while building the tools to lead, retain, and grow

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AIA CES Provider statement

Gābl Media is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10024977. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

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