Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program
Leaders Scholars ongoing success
BUILDING NETWORKS
Past alumni of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Program have achieved remarkable success in their careers advancing to leadership positions within their firms, while others have founded their own successful practices. Alumni have also been instrumental in shaping industry policies and advocating for social justice within the architectural profession serving on regional and national committees.
Through the program, alumni have developed strong networks, gained valuable mentorship, and acquired the skills necessary to become influential leaders in the field.
2024 CKLDP Class
RUDY ABBOTT Corgan Associates, Inc.
JOANNA BIDANI Emory University
OLIVIA FREESE
Lamar Johnson Collaborative CRAIG DIXON The Beck Group
HELLEBUYCK Gensler DREW HUSTEDDE TreanorHL WANQI (KK) LOY Georgia Institute of Technology
JALAAL MALIK
Smith Dalia Architects
DANIELA MARQUEZ
Gensler
CHRISTINA OWENS HKS, Inc.
JANE RODRIGUES Dynamik Design YIKUAN PENG
Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC)
SANTIAGO Perkins&Will JONNÉ SMITH Moody Nolan ZACH SOUDERS The Beck Group
ARTI VERMA Dynamik Design
PAOLA
CAMILA
The Executive Committee
Mae Murphy, Chair
A graduate of the 2022 class of Georgia CKLDP, Mae Murphy took the role of Chair with the insights of her committee and led this year’s class encouraging relationships with allied professions to broaden the future leaders the program serves. Murphy currently works with The Beck Group in Atlanta, harnessing her 10+ years experience in the field.
our dedicated committee of Georgia
CKLDP alum
help define the program’s aims and goals and advise current scholars in their session development
MICHAEL
UHRIN Chair-Elect
Class of 2023
Project Manager
Niles Bolton
Associates
GARCIA
Past Chair
Class of 2021
Senior Associate
LS3P Architects
JAMES
PIRCH
Advisor
Class of 2023
CEO, Architect
Creative Interface
Architecture
STEWART
Advisor
Class of 2021
Project Designer
HKS, Inc.
KATHERINE
PARKER
DEAR 2024 CKLDP CLASS,
On behalf of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Program alumni and the chair, I extend our warmest congratulations on your graduation from this prestigious national program. You have joined a community of dedicated professionals who are committed to making a positive impact on the field of architecture.
We are excited to see the incredible contributions you will make throughout your career. Your passion, talent, and dedication will undoubtedly inspire others and shape the future of architecture.
We look forward to supporting your growth and development as you continue on your transformative journey.
Best wishes,
CKLDP Executive Committee
Session 1
Hosted at the Caddell Building on Georgia Tech’s campus where Chair of the School of Architecture, Julie Kim, AIA, joined as a speaker.
CIVIC AND BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
Craig Dixon and Christina Owens led the cohorts first session exploring architect’s and designers’ vital responsibility in enriching the communities where they live and work. Encouraging the scholars to contemplate not only the issues presented but the evolution of their personal leadership missions. Invited speakers included Ken Higa of The Beck Group, Sheba Ross, Partner and Global Practice Directorat HKS, and CEO of Roswell Organization for Community Development, Calvin Asvury.
Session 2
ARCHITECTURE AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT
Hosted at the Georgia State Capitol and led by Rudy Abbott and KK Loy, scholars explored risk management and political advocacy in architecture touring the Capitol building and speaking with AIA lobbyists and industry experts. They then participated in a panel discussion on tort reform and its impact on architects and the housing market, continuing on to learn from AIA California’s experience with tort reform and presented ideas for the “Save the Book Depository” Advocacy Campaign.
Session 3
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jonné Smith and Paola Santiago took the class to Macon, Georgia where they led a session exploring how architects can create meaningful community engagement through the successful strategies used at Ocmulgee Mounds Park, Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve. Scholars learned how architects can impact heritage, culture, development, and the environment gaining insights into effective engagement techniques and how to build relationships with diverse stakeholders. Invited speakers included current MaconBibb County District 5 Commissioner, Seth Clark, local architect and preservationist, Gene Dunwoody Jr. among others.
This session was hosted by Corporate Environments of Georgia
Session 4
THE ART OF DECISION MAKING
What better way to drive leadership decisions than by discovering and pursuing your WHY? Olivia Freese and Drew Hustedde led this session on the root of effective decision making, our WHYs, and how to evolve that understanding into real world scenarios, professional leadership, and the business of architecture. Speakers included Trevor Walker, AIA, NOMA from HKS’ Atlanta Healthcare Studio, former AIA CEO James P. Cramer, Hon AIA, and Rion Willard, RBA of TTHS Architects.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
Building diverse and equitable pathways in architecture is imperative to the vibrancy of architecture’s future. Camila Hellebuyck and Jalaal Malik led scholars in an examination of current obstacles and successful programs like Gensler’s Apprenticeship. Discussing how to support emerging professionals as they navigate their careers this session helped to work through ways to redefine our approach to EDI and ensure we act as inclusive leaders.
Session 5
Scholars gathered at Cisco Systems in Atlanta.
Session 6
INTEGRATED PRACTICE
The A|E|C industry increasingly utilizes integrated practice methodologies, including here in Atlanta. The recent redevelopment of the Summerhill neighborhood leveraged a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) to accomplish a multi-faceted, communityoriented development.
Dani Marquez and Zach Souder’s session encouraged reflection and understanding on the inception of PPP plans, well before design teams start the traditional design process. Architects and designers can better serve the needs of clients and the industry when they understand the nuances of project delivery models and their impacts on communities.
IN THE COMMUNITY
The Atlanta Preservation Center hosted CKLDP in the renovated L.P. Grant Mansion in Grant Park.
DEVELOPING SKILLS
Hosted at Shaw Contract Showroom, scholars were able to develop their presentation skills in with real-time feedback and equip themselves with the tools to build lasting client relationships and succeed in the competitive world of architecture.
Session 7
RAINMAKING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Jane Rodrigues and Yiquan Peng’s highly interactive session introduced essential skills for client engagement, storytelling, and networking. A panel discussion with industry experts allowed scholars to gain insights into rainmaking strategies and network with panelists in small groups.
Session 8
EMERGING ISSUES AT THE INTERSECTION OF ARCHITECTURE AND SOCIETY
Arti Verma and Joanna Bidani closed out the year’s sessions at the AIA Aspire Conference in Asheville, NC focusing on the future of work and AI. Skillfully combining conference sessions with intimate workshops and discussions, the pair led the class in discussions on AI in architecture and how it is becoming an influential and powerful tool in the profession, acknowledging its awkward, intermediate stage of development. While simple and practical problems can be solved with the use of AI, the bigger question is to go beyond the hype of specific apps and tech, and look at this more holistically - how can AI be applied/ integrated in our practices and help evolve the profession in a positive manner.
THE INEVITABLE INTEGRATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ARCHITECTURE
One of the unique challenges facing the profession and the focus of this series of conversations and events.
Thank you to all presenters and those that gave in financial support, coordination, and time.