I just met a new awesome woman of HOK: the Planning Group’s fabulous Amy Roots, from HOK’s Toronto office. No, I didn’t meet her because of a project or any official reason. I met her because another awesome woman of HOK (Jeannette Thompson) decided that we should connect. And we did!
Amy’s about the same age that I am (we refer to ourselves as “tweeners” – not quite at the senior executive level, but well into our careers), and has been at HOK for about the same amount of time. We giggled about how being in your early 30s is fantastic because it’s the “whatever” years. Whatever you do …
You may only know her by one of her many HOK “personas”: tireless champion of diversity in the workplace; seasoned marketer (in experience, not years!); Life at HOK blogger; social event planner extraordinaire. But, if you know Jaki Jefferson at all, you know she’s a force of nature, ready to embrace any opportunity or tackle any challenge that comes her way, all while remaining perfectly coiffed in a super-sassy ensemble. Ever the fashionista, if Jaki were a superhero, her signature weapon would no doubt be her scarves!
I’ve had the privilege to work alongside Ms. Jefferson for a number of years now, and am always amazed by her ability to enthusiastically corral the …
We’ve heard from and learned a lot about so many Women Across HOK in the past few months! It’s been really fun to learn about people I know about, but don’t know personally and it’s been interesting to learn more about people that I spend quite a bit of my day with. This next interview firmly falls into that latter category for me. Sue sits a mere 10 feet from me, we do “extracurriculars” together and work on projects together, and this was an awesome opportunity to learn more about her. She is a landscape architect, a proud Penn State grad, and an lovely colleague. I hope you, the reader, also enjoy …
It is my pleasure to introduce Sabine Bartzke! If for no other reason, than she willing submitted what is quite possibly my favorite personal photo to date. (And there have been some good ones!) But what I really love about this photo is it that it captures who Sabine really is… an energetic woman that brings her adventurous spirit and creativity to every situation.
Her energetic spirit was nurtured from an early age in Germany as she studied economics and languages because she “always wanted to live and work other places”. (Three cheers for that!) Her journey to HOK is filled with a diverse range of experiences: working for the …
I met Abbey on my first day at HOK. She sat across the [low] wall from me and…had just a few months earlier swiped the job I’d been coveting for about a year! Turns out, Abbey was a much better candidate for that particular position and I ended up in a position that was perfect for me. Gold star to HOK! Anyway, you should know that Abbey’s a superstar urban planner for the HOK Planning Group. Not too long ago, she and her hubby abandoned DC for her home state of Texas A fantastic mom to her newborn baby (and also her not-so-newborn kitty), and all around great person, Abbey is a fabulous, funny, brilliant colleague – the DC crew misses her tremendously …
I’ll be honest, I was a bit intimidated by Rosa when I first met her. She’s only a few years my senior, but she has the confidence (and the goods to back it up) of someone with several times her experience. Plus, she hangs out with the cool people. Over the years, I’ve learned that Rosa is not only extremely talented and motivated; she’s nice, funny, and supremely helpful too. I had a great time with our questions session (and every time we work together) – hope you enjoy Rosa as much as I do:
I have been at HOK for slightly over 12 years. HOK has been a big part of my life …
We’re back with the next installment of our ongoing series: Women Across HOK. There is no better woman to launch us into our spring season than this statuesque, accomplished, deep thinker and just all around impeccable lady… LaRee DeFreece. The consummate professional, LaRee has more than 20 years of corporate and real estate experience, both as an attorney and in day-to-day corporate operations. Yet for someone who is a Vice President and Business Director of Global Sustainability Consulting Services here at HOK, as well as a recently appointed Commissioner for the State of Missouri Environmental Improvement and Energy Resource Authority, LaRee is extremely down-to-earth and …
Ladies and gentlemen of the cyber world… meet the “casting director” of HOK – Marsha Littell! Marsha has a unique role that allows her to touch every part of the firm and the opportunity to meet the cool people that work here regardless of geography, discipline, or position.
What makes Marsha perfect for her role is the many professional hats she wore before joining HOK twelve years ago… teacher, debate coach, management consultant for Fortune 500s. What brought her to HOK was the opportunity to bring learning and development programs to each of our business units.
This mother of three boys, NEW grandmother, and dog lover is truly an advocate for reminding us all that …
World, meet Marta. She’s our Human Resources Manager in New York, by title, but in practice, she is so much more. As she describes it, her role in a nutshell entails helping make sure we find, hire, support, develop and care for an office of wonderfully talented people. Emphasize that latter part about the wonderfully talented people, because that’s Marta. Born and raised a New Englander, Marta is a blueberry-pie-making-diva, artist and nature lover with a zest for life. In her words, everyone should “Make time for what feeds your heart and awakens your sense of wonder.” Words to live by for sure. Here’s more from her interview.
Q: What made you …
Meet Teresa… aka Mother Earth. Well, maybe she isn’t technically Mother Earth, but she certainly channels her. (Just wait until you see here high school year book photo!) Teresa is a landscape architect with a focus and commitment to sustainable ecological urbanism. When she began at HOK three years ago, she sat in the Atlanta office before heading to Chicago and spear heading Land + Water.
Teresa is passionate about her profession and an example that it is never too late to follow your heart. When her daughters were both in elementary school, she decided to leave a 12-year career …
It is my complete pleasure and honor to bring you the next installment of Women Across HOK, Sherin Aminossehe. This senior planner in our London office is a creative light shining bright all over the world. In addition to being sharp as a tack and having an incredible ability to juggle complex projects, Sherin can chat it up on virtually any subject in her very personal and disarming way…making friends everywhere she goes. She is an avid reader, artist and takes fabulous vacations as you can see in pics below.
I first met Sherin about four years ago. Since then, she has been my go-to person for information on projects, people, you name it. She always delivers and despite time zones and …
To further our Women Across HOK series, we’ll next zoom over to St Louis to visit with Valerie Greer, a senior architect, who was one of the major forces behind the inimitable KAUST project. She is a rising star in the St Louis office and, since her trip around the world for the office, has become a company-wide name. A fellow-HOKLife-Blogger, Valerie always has a sensible world, a sharp design eye, and unending patience to lend to a project – and that makes her an inspiring woman at HOK.
Q: How did you decide to become an architect?
I graduated from college with an English major …
Please welcome Kimberly Dowdell to our showcase of Women Across HOK!
Kimberly, originally harking from Detroit, via Washington DC, has been with HOK New York since 2008. Kimberly joined as an architectural technician, but in the true spirit of HOK celebrating personal passions, she recently transitioned into a public relations role that is focused on articulating and promoting the unique value that HOK brings to the design process. Here are Kimberly’s answers to my questions, enjoy!
Q: How did you come to HOK?
I was …
Meet Sandra Paret! Sandra has worn many hats in her 10+ years with the firm, and is currently a Director of Corporate Accounts. She has an engaging personality that enables her to build lasting relationships with clients and colleagues. Her role takes her across the globe so the next time she is in your office take a moment to introduce yourself… especially if you like baseball or the Texas Aggies!
I hope you enjoy getting know Sandra better!
What is your favorite professional memory?
There would be so many around clients and their appreciation for the effort HOK exhibits on their behalf. When you have a true partnership with clients and the consultant …
When Anica is not doing the New York Times crossword, blogging on here, or teaching at Roger Williams University she is HOK’s very own globe-trotting ‘greenest greenie’ (as he Life@HOK biog says!). I say the first activity in jest, as although based in HOK’s DC office, this girl is so in demand and is so committed to our work that she is hard to pin down to being in one country for more than 24 hours! We love her dearly, her incredible passion for our work and how we can incrementally improve our world.
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About a year ago, we were fortunate enough to have Rebecca Nolan, Associate AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, join HOK’s St. Louis office as a senior vice president and managing principal. Her one-year anniversary seems the perfect time to spotlight Rebecca in our first Inside the Designer’s Studio post of 2010.
On the “very special kind of ambiguity” that has been designed into HOK:
On the importance of diversity in the practice of design:
On creating an environment for people to do their best work and ”selfless leadership:”
Thanks Rebecca!
Previous edition of ITDS: George Hellmuth – HOK Co-Founder
The New Year should begin with a bang… so Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce Michelle Pinkston! A landscape designer for the Planning Group who is based in St. Louis, Michelle is a dedicated and incredibly creative team member with an endless supply of positive energy and ideas. Her attitude is infectious and you can’t help but feel inspired to be at your best when working alongside Michelle.
This graduate of Iowa State University who grew up in rural Iowa could also be a professional seamstress. While most of us struggle with sewing a button, Michelle could create a runway line for cats or tissue box covers for your grandmother. (She also …
Another installment in our series about the inspiring women of HOK (not to say that our men aren’t inspiring, too!): Meet Jeannette Thompson, Business Communications Specialist in the HOK Planning Group. While Jeannette calls St. Louis her home, she supports the HOK network throughout the world. You also know her as one of the Life@HOK blogstar team and future American Idol judge! Jeannette is a true superstar and I hope you enjoy getting to know her a bit better.
Q: What’s a typical day in the life of Jeannette Thompson?
A typical day involves a morning routine that is anything but typical, …
As we continue on with our Women of HOK series, we’re staying up north, but jumping from Toronto to Chicago to visit with Sheila Cahnman.
Sheila Cahnman has been with HOK only 5 years, but during her tenure here she has become a major contributor.
Her expertise in healthcare architecture has furthered HOK’s practice in that market and her extensive writing and lecturing has brought a rigor to projects.
One of Chicago’s Group Vice Presidents, Sheila has left an indelible mark on every project she’s been a part of. Her work revolves around people, their environment, and the role design can play in bettering people’s lives.
Outside of the office, Sheila is …
Megan Holder is my cohort. That’s right. We have a gang.
Okay, so it’s not quite a gang, but we do have long phone conversations and plans to take over the world. (Wow, guess I’m a little prone to exaggeration…)
Megan is the life of every situation – her love for life just bubbles out without her even knowing. She has been with the HOK Planning Group for five years. She resides in the Atlanta office, where she is constantly being recruited for extra-curricular-work-activities, but is a Texas girl at heart.
There are so many great things about Megan (including the fact that her traditionally-stoic work photo features some outrageously large earrings) but there’s one …
I recently had the opportunity to meet Jan Harmon from HOK Los Angeles. I was immediately struck by her thoughtful demeanor and kindness. She has a fantastic sense of humor and an amazing smile to match it. I’d love to kidnap her and have her around all the time! Needless to say, she has a place to stay/visit any time she’s in DC!
Here is your opportunity to learn about Jan Harmon, beautiful, inspiring woman of HOK:
1. What is your role at HOK?
I am Human Resource Manager of the LA office and a member of the LA Management Committee.
2. How did you come to HOK and why have …
Jodi Williams is another member of the DC Advance Strategies crew. She has been working with Leigh in that office for four years, during which time she has made quite a name for herself. She has a mixed background of sociology and urban planning that always gives her a different take on clients’ needs. Her questions quickly reveal her love for solving complex problems, kicking some butt on the soccer field, and snuggling with her pets. Along with this interview, she was highlighted in a podcast when this blog turned one year old – so be sure to have a listen for more information!
Q: You play a lot …
Leigh Stringer. Green Workplace Maven. HOK Board of Directors Member. Loving Wife and Mother. All Around Great Person. If you don’t know Leigh Stringer, you are missing out. A rising star in HOK’s Advance Strategies practice, Leigh has focused her career on green design and workplace behavior in facility planning projects all over the world. She is author and creator of the The Green Workplace blog and she has also recently published a book of the same name. Even more impressive is that between clients, book signings and star-studded weddings in NYC, she still made time to answer my 5 questions so all of you could get to know her too….
Lately we’ve all been reading about the state of working women in the 21st century. The Shriver Report was recently released, validating the fact that, for the first time in our history, half of all US workers are women. Time Magazine also broached the topic, revisiting their story from 1972 in which they studied the state of the women in “the throes of women’s lib.” These, and many other confirming reports, are bringing the issues of the modern-day working woman to the forefront.
We’ve decided to add to this cultural discussion by introducing several of the Inspiring Women of HOK. We hope to bring forth some dialog as to these women’s …
