Two of the Washington region’s most influential leaders—architect Diane Hoskins and economic-development visionary Victor Hoskins—share the story of parallel careers that converge around one principle: collaboration compounds impact.

From Chicago’s skyline to the Amazon HQ2 deal, from design constraints to billion-dollar surpluses, the Hoskins demonstrate how empathy, partnership, and systems-level thinking can reshape cities and careers. Their joint mantra—

“Get wisdom, and with all that getting, get understanding.”
—anchors a conversation that’s equal parts master class and love story.

Chapter Markers

Time

Segment

Highlights

00 : 00 – 02 : 20

Introduction

John Coe frames the series and today’s guests.

02 : 21 – 03 : 46

Roots & Creative Upbringing

Diane on Chicago’s architecture and her mother’s artistry.

03 : 47 – 06 : 55

First-Gen Philanthropy

The Hoskins on giving back to education.

07 : 00 – 08 : 33

Dartmouth Decision

Challenge as catalyst for growth.

09 : 11 – 11 : 39

Negotiating Across the Table

MIT-trained empathy in public–private deals.

12 : 01 – 24 : 53

Diane’s Arc: SOM → Olympia & York → Gensler

Mentorship, mega-projects, and a developer’s lens.

24 : 54 – 32 : 28

Transforming DC as Business

CityCenter DC, The Wharf, Union Market → $7.5 B investment.

32 : 41 – 35 : 45

Regionalism & Collaboration

DMV economy beyond borders.

36 : 01 – 39 : 31

Amazon HQ2 – Talent as Currency

Education beats incentives; $1 B talent pipeline.

40 : 16 – 41 : 55

Fairfax Digital Hub

7.5 K companies + 100 universities bridging skills.

42 : 07 – 47 : 20

Design Within Constraints

Amtrak Call Center → innovation through limits.

49 : 43 – 55 : 46

Workplace as Destination

Variety, neurodiversity, and WPI metrics.

57 : 03 – 59 : 53

Community in Buildings

Amenities as connection + shared spaces.

1 : 00 : 15 – 1 : 04 : 36

Cross-Disciplinary Leadership

Co-CEO model and latticework learning.

1 : 35 : 19 – 1 : 38 : 35

Partnership & Time

“Design shared geography to protect time.”

1 : 38 : 09 – 1 : 39 : 26

Baltimore Inner Harbor Vision

Legacy of Rouse & Schaefer reborn.

1 : 39 : 29 – 1 : 41 : 00

Reputation & Integrity

Habits of professionalism compound trust.

2 : 02 : 18 – 2 : 03 : 54

Longevity & Neuro-Architecture

Design for 100-year impact and human brains.

2 : 04 : 13 – 2 : 05 : 10

Mantra on the Beltway

“Get wisdom… get understanding.”

2 : 05 : 10 – 2 : 06 : 32

Final Reflections

Learning across industries to create lasting value.