Episode 063: Podcast Live: DAC Leadership Series: From Team Member to Office Leader

How can midcareer architects successfully transition from project work into more senior roles dealing with staffing and operations?

Traditional architectural training does not often prepare us with the business leadership and people management skills required to successfully lead an office. On top of that, office leadership comes with a variety of challenges that differ from everyday project leadership. Practice Disrupted co-hosts Evelyn Lee and Je’Nen interview firm leaders Amy Perenchio, AIA, NCARB, and Megan Bowles, AIA to explore the following topics:

What characteristics are required to make the jump from team member to office leader?
What skills are transferable from project leadership to leadership within the office?
How can we grow our talent from within to prepare to take on these roles?

Guests:

Amy Perenchio, AIA, NCARB is a Principal at ZGF Architects and joined us in season 3 on episode [047] – Talent Development in Practice (a top 10 episode on Practice Disrupted). In addition to her role at ZGF, Amy has held leadership positions on the National AIAS and NAAB boards and served on various committees and task forces for NCARB. Dedicated to the professional growth and development of the design staff at ZGF, Amy oversees the staffing and recruiting efforts for a group of 130+ designers and architects and works at the intersection of people and practice.

Megan Bowles, AIA is a Principal at LS3P based out of their Raleigh office. She's also a board member with AIA North Carolina, and active with ACE Mentoring and Diversify Architecture. She successfully navigated her career growth from architect into an operations role. Early in her career, she was a project manager and became the Raleigh Operations and Finance Manager. Currently, she co-leads with the Raleigh Office Leader for LS3P. Her focus on firm management and operations makes her a key point person in conversations related to finance, legal considerations, people management, and technology.

Co-hosts:

Evelyn Lee, FAIA, MBA, MPA | Founder, Practice of Architecture

Je’Nen Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA | Founder, Apostrophe Consulting

Special thanks to:

AIA DC

Alison Pavilonis, AIA, LEED AP BD+C | Associate, Gensler

Derek Roberts | Senior Design Manager, Architect of the Capitol

Katie Spencer | Program Director, AIA DC

📍 Show Links:

ZGF

Careers at ZGF

ZGF Architects | LinkedIn