Over the past 30 years, I’ve worked in every aspect of the architectural profession, first designing and executing projects, then leading the best design talent at world-class firms to realize hundreds of projects across many typologies, scales, and complexity. I bring to the table innovative ideas, strong analytical and business skills, result-oriented project management, and deep Mixed-Use, Retail, and Residential industry knowledge. I’m an active listener, an empathetic leader, a team player, a collaborator, a storyteller, a mentor, and passionate about creating strong and resilient communities through great design. Outside of work, I enjoy all things design, photography, travel, yoga, and cycling.
SKILLS:
Gensler, Los Angeles, CA, US, Studio Director
STUDIO DIRECTOR (2021 - 2023)
- Co-Managed the Mixed-Use / Retail Studio with 50 Architects/Designers/Planners.
- Developed Studio Vision, Planned Studio’s Trajectory and Opportunities for Growth.
- Managed Talent, Recruitment, Coaching, and Appointments.
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR (2017 - 2023)
- Developed Studio’s Business Plan.
- Managed Studio’s Financial Performance (~$12-15M/year) and reported to Office Managing Directors.
- Oversaw Staffing, Revenue, Productivity, Profit & Loss, Backlog, and Collections.
- Reviewed Studio work plans, schedules, and agreements, and helped de-risk projects.
PROJECT DIRECTOR / DESIGN MANAGER (2012 - 2023)
- Managed 100+ Mixed-Use, Retail, Residential, Office, and Education projects.
- Managed ~$40M in fees and Billions in construction budgets over 11 years.
- Wrote, negotiated, and executed Architectural and Consultant Agreements.
- Monitored Budgets, Schedules, Invoicing and Collections.
- Sought-after to take on and re-calibrate Large/Complex Projects across the Southwest region.
- Helped establish Office-wide fee benchmarking standards.
- Trained and mentored emerging Design Managers.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (2016 - 2023)
- Fostered and grew existing client relationships, identified and pursued new client relationships.
- Attended and spoke at industry networking events including ICSC Recon/Center-Build/IDAC.
- Helped win numerous domestic/international projects through personal and Gensler relationships.
PRACTICE AREA LEADER - MIXED-USE / RETAIL CENTERS (2016 - 2023)
- Strategized practice area Point of View and Thought Leadership with Regional and Global Leadership.
- Shared practice area Expertise with other offices.
- Documented and reported on Southwest regional practice area Revenue and Growth.
Archithetics, Glendale, CA, US, Principal
- Provided end-to-end solutions to homeowners and small businesses while running my own practice.
- Designed Single-Family additions and renovations, Accessory Dwelling Units, and small Commercial projects.
Valerio Architects, Los Angeles, CA, US, Senior Project Manager
- Designed, Documented, and Managed Retail Rollouts for Chipotle, Veggie Grill, Oakley, and N3L.
Aleks Istanbullu Architects, Santa Monica, CA, US, Senior Project Manager
- Worked closely with the Principal to manage and grow a small design practice.
- Designed, Documented, and Managed Single-Family, Multi-Family, Mixed-Use, and Institutional projects.
DesignARC, Los Angeles, CA, US, Senior Designer
- Designed and documented Single-Family and Multi-Family Residential projects.
Rockefeller Hricak Architects, Venice, CA, US, Project Manager
- Managed a 30,000 SF Single Family home and helped shepherd its 3-year entitlement/variance process.
- Designed, Documented, and Managed Single-Family Residential, and Commercial projects.
Koning Eizenberg Architecture, Santa Monica, CA, US, Designer
- Designed and Master Planned various Retail projects at The Farmers Market / The Grove.
RMA architects, Mumbai, IN, Designer
- Designed and Documented Single-Family, Commercial, and Institutional projects across India.
- Worked on numerous master planning projects through the Urban Design Research Institute, including the development of the Ulwe Central Business District in New Bombay.
- Helped measure draw and author a detailed written report for the preservation of the Victorian Gothic Bombay University campus as a member of the Bombay Conservation Group
- Prepared drawings for numerous publications by Rahul Mehrotra, including The Fort Precinct in Bombay – Conserving an Image Center.
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, US, MArch, Architecture & Urban Design
- Majored in Architecture with a Minor in Urban Design.
- My master’s thesis “Political Intentions and Imperial Manifestations” traced the representation of British imperial power through the representation of various architectural styles in colonial India.
- Received numerous scholarships and teaching assistant positions.
ls raheja school of architecture, Mumbai, IN, Bachelors, Architecture
- Majored in Architecture.
- Won numerous design competitions.