This Is DesignIntelligence

The most effective leadership seeks the balance of creative genius coupled with savvy business acumen.  The best leaders lead with open arms seeking to learn more, include more, and collaborate more.

Jenna Knudsen is the first female and youngest Managing Principal of CO Architects. She is a long time advocate for equal representation, spearheading initiatives to support and encourage women in architecture. On this edition of This Is DesignIntelligence, she talks about what drew her to the practice of architecture, her transition to a leadership role in a traditionally male dominated profession, and what she and her firm are doing to cultivate an environment that is not just accepting, but embraces diversity of perspectives.

Genuine succession planning is a programmatic process of passing core values, cultural strengths, and clarifying vision to the next generation of leaders.  It’s not a matter of tossing the office keys across the desk on the way out the door.  It’s letting go to make room for new hearts and hands to lead the firm.

Martha Schwartz is a landscape architect, urbanist, artist, educator and climate activist with a 40 year career establishing her as one of the most distinctive and creative landscape designers in the profession. Her work and teaching focuses on the urban public realm landscape and its importance in making cities “climate ready”. Martha is also Chair of the Jury of the Obel Award, an international prize that honours outstanding architectural contributions to human development all over the world. On this edition of This Is DesignIntelligence, she talks to us about the winding trajectory of her career, the unique role of landscape architects in addressing climate change, and why working together and bold ideas are critical to tackling the climate issues we face today and into the future.

What’s a built environment industry leader to do in these challenging times?  First, keep your head.  Maintain common sense and refuse to accept baseless, fact-less, highly opinionated input. 

Natalie Campos Goodman is the founder of IncentiFind, a real estate technology start up that is radically increasing green construction by connecting residential and commercial properties to incentives when they incorporate green practices. On this edition of This Is DesignIntelligence, she talks about how the idea for IncentiFind was born and how she’s working to get $70 billion into the hands of property owners, developers and tenants. 

When leaders from across the built environment industry step forward and step up to owning the responsibilities of leading their organizations through responsible core values, then the world changes.

Tom Spahn is an investor and operating partner in the built environment industry, helping people bring innovative ideas to life in the marketplace. He joined us to discuss the potential and challenges around PropTech, and how built environment professionals can take advantage of the opportunities ahead.

Leaders who operate from both empathy and compassion are highly relatable, in close proximity, and meaningfully effective in the work of leadership.  This is difficult stuff for the best among us.

Scott Gwilliam co-founded Keystone Capital in 1994 and serves as a Managing Partner of the firm with primary responsibility for investment activities. Prior to Keystone, Scott served in various organizations and roles where he was actively involved in initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate reorganizations. On this edition of This Is DesignIntelligence, he talks about his career, stresses the importance of mentors, and brings a different way of thinking about private equity and partnering with the built environment.