S4: Professional Practice & the One Day MBA
May 16, 2025
Location: The HON Showroom
Led by: Juanita Li, AIA & Corey Mack, AIA
The 4th session of CKLDP entitled Professional Practice & the One-Day MBA offered a saturated, multi-directional analysis of the business of architecture. Highlighting the importance of firm culture and project management, the session gave scholars a comprehensive overview of key aspects of the business of architecture. Through panel discussions and a workshop, the scholars learned about the many facets of leadership, professional development, and relationship building.
Act 1: Architectural Evolution
Robert Bull, AIA, LEED AP & Dave Shove-Brown, AIA, NCARB; Moderator: Caitlyn Brady AIA, LEED AP BD+C
This panel discussion, moderated by Caitlyn Brady of Ayers Saint Gross, centered insights of principals from different architecture firms. Dave Shove-Brown, principal of Studio 3877, and Robert Bull of SmithGroup shared about their individual paths to firm leadership and the role that mentorship played along the way. The panelists discussed firm structure, how projects differ, and ways to evaluate project success and profitability.
Katelyn Rossier, AIA, CSI, CDT, NCARB, LSSBB
Katelyn Rossler, founder of mentorDINO LLC, facilitated an insightful workshop that explored various aspects of firm culture and support as well as mentorship. This act was a mix of individual reflection, group exercises, and brief presentations. Within groups, the scholars engaged in discussion and collaborative brainstorming exercises, the results of which were shared with the class. Katelyn led the scholars in an interesting discussion on the differences between “skills” and” attributes,” examples of these, and the importance of various ones.
Act 2: Mentorship in Architectural Practice
The session concluded with a second panel discussion composed of representatives of various team members that architects work with in a typical project–consultants, contractor, and client. J. Fontaine of HITT Contracting, John Karras of Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Belynda Miranda of Jensen Hughes, and Michael Carline of Four Points Development LLC each shared their unique perspectives on the value of their working relationships with architects. During this discussion, panelists offered a host of valuable advice that scholars could apply to their everyday work as architects and designers. The importance of communication, relationships, and networking was emphasized.
