KA Connect 2024 Speakers

Turner Fleischer embarked on a revolutionary journey eight years ago which took them from informal and scattered knowledge practices to an institutionalized and strategic knowledge management program. This talk will detail the pivotal moments and strategies in developing their knowledge management team, processes, and technologies. Ellen will examine how this evolution affected the firm's overall productivity, collaboration, and innovation capabilities, as well as discuss the broader implications for AEC firms seeking to enhance their knowledge management programs.

As a Partner, CEO and CFO of Turner Fleischer Architects, Ellen Bensky, B.A., Dip. Arch. Tech (Hon), CanBIM P1, contributes on a daily basis to the advancement of architectural technology and design not only in her firm, but industry-wide through her initiatives and dedication. Passionate for education, Ellen is especially proud of spear-heading an internal academy, which provides a comprehensive learning and teaching platform for her studio. Through her current role, Ellen is able to engage daily in the process of successfully leveraging complex business needs and design realities, driving her quest for operational excellence while remaining committed to giving back to the greater community.

KTGY’s comprehensive professional development program, ELEVATE, has fueled individual and organizational growth, fostering an environment of connection, trust, and a passion for learning. John will delve into this journey, sharing insights on the program's inception, evolution, and the broad-reaching impact it's had on the company, the participants, and himself. Discover the strategies and actionable steps that have made ELEVATE a model for professional advancement, offering ideas and lessons for attendees to apply within their own organizations. Join us to learn how nurturing talent and promoting continuous learning can become key drivers of growth in any organization.

John Robison is the COO for KTGY - one of the nation's foremost residential design firms, and innovators of places that people call home. John began his career with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, working in the practice side of the industry before moving into management roles through his affinity for technology and operations. With an MBA from Chapman University, he combines his education and experience in business and architecture to help lead KTGY’s strategic growth activities, process improvements, and leadership development programs, while providing oversight for the various operational functions of this large, national firm. John is passionate about the built environment and the architect’s role as a social facilitator, and strives to advance that conversation as a member of the AIA LFRT and past President of the AEC IT Leaders organization.

In 2020, Shepley Bulfinch embraced the Hybrid Practice model, drawing on our decade-long expertise in cross-office project teams. We committed to a hybrid work policy that ensures every Bulfinch has an equal opportunity to work effectively and produce high-quality work from various locations. During this transition we were focused on maintaining a high level of quality in our project work, while preserving our strong culture of positive interpersonal relationships at the firm. In this talk, “the Jims” will share some of the strategies we have used at Shepley Bulfinch to transform our organization from a predominantly in-person one to a mix of in-person and virtual modes.

As the Vice President of Practice Management, Jim Chambers provides leadership for the overall performance of the design organization. In partnership with the business operations, Jim develops and directs processes and standards that improve all aspects of the design practice with a focus on the management and delivery of our product. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University.

Drawing on over 25 years of Information Technology experience, Jim Martin leads the development of strategies for technology tools that support and advance design, delivery, and collaboration at Shepley Bulfinch. He has been particularly successful at creating an innovation center inside of Shepley Bulfinch's IT department, focusing on new technologies and how they affect the design process. Jim is a Six Sigma Green Belt and holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Roger Williams University.

Drawing on a decade of sustainable design leadership, Corey will discuss the central role of knowledge management in purpose-driven design. Design that meaningfully addresses human health, ecological thriving, and social equity is on the forefront of architectural discourse. At the same time, sustainable design remains a challenge. While much of the discussion around sustainability has focused on convincing people to change behavior and technical calculations to arrive at optimal solutions, both of these focuses miss the mark. A significant barrier to the universal adoption of sustainable design is its sheer breadth of information. Knowledge management offers the potential to make sustainable design accessible, broadly applicable, and dare I say, easy.

Corey Squire, AIA is Sustainability Director at Bora Architecture & Interiors in Portland Oregon, and a member of the American Institute of Architects' Strategic Council. He lectures nationally on a range of sustainability-related topics, and was a creator of AIA Framework and Toolkit, resources that are actively redefining excellence in the built environment. Corey is the author of the recently published book, People, Planet, Design: A Practical Guide to Realizing Architecture’s Potential. 

Since its founding in 1966, Olson Kundig has been a consistently evolutionary practice—led by a shared curiosity and willingness to pursue the unexpected. From its earliest days designing homes in the Pacific Northwest to working on projects across the globe, the firm has experienced considerable growth in size and scope without sacrificing this core DNA. How does an organization adapt to rapid change while preserving the foundational principles at the root of its legacy? What are the strategies and solutions for maintaining authenticity in both design and culture? In a discussion about the firm’s origins and evolutions in practice, Marlene Chen will speak to the challenges of navigating an organization through change—highlighting key initiatives and investments that have guided Olson Kundig’s trajectory and will continue to inform future generations of the firm’s approach to design and leadership.

As principal/owner and COO of Olson Kundig, Marlene uses her experience as an architect and project manager to steer the firm’s governance and operations groups—working as a conduit between business units and practitioners to help communicate organizational changes across the growing firm. Since joining Olson Kundig in 2005, Marlene has worked on architectural and exhibit design projects in both design and project management capacities, helping groups large and small express their missions in built form—from large organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Tillamook and Microsoft, to private residential and commercial clients. In all of her leadership roles, as in her design work, Marlene is committed to contributing to something greater than herself, embracing a holistic view of the firm’s initiatives and investments.

In the dynamic landscape of multidisciplinary design, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) represent pivotal moments that can either propel firms toward unprecedented growth or pose significant challenges to their cultural and operational fabric. This talk delves into the firsthand M&A experience of an established but growing multidisciplinary design firm, focusing on the pivotal role of knowledge management in navigating the complexities of integration, culture melding, and strategic alignment.

As Page's Chief Design Innovation Officer and Sr. Principal, John Clegg’s primary aim is to empower the firm by elevating design at every level of the organization. He fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with the Research & Innovation team and the Design Exchange, a unique collective that brings together Building Sciences, Fabrication, Storytelling, Studio X, and Tech Lab. Drawing upon his extensive experience in architectural and urban design, he is able to blend his professional and academic background with a deeply ingrained commitment to community. In driving innovation throughout our firm, he ensures that design decisions positively impact our company's work by empowering and inspiring designers across the organization.

As Chief Marketing Officer and Sr. Principal at Page, John Gloetzner oversees the firm's marketing and communications studios, plans and executes essential marketing and BD initiatives across various market sectors and practice areas, and manages a talented team of proposal developers, creatives, knowledge managers and internal/external communications leaders responsible for marcomms operations across 21 offices globally. His most recent focus has been on the pivotal role of knowledge management in navigating complexities such as M&A integration, culture melding, and strategic alignment. His diverse cultural upbringing informs John's collaborative leadership style and thoughtful approach. Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and raised across Latin America and the United States, he strongly supports Latino leaders and voices. John is also a founding member and past chair of the AIA's Large Firm Roundtable Marketing group, further demonstrating his leadership and influence in the architecture industry.

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