Preparing for Successful Leadership Transition: How to Navigate the Two-Way Street - 1.5 PDH (LA CES/non-HSW)

Rena is a nationally-recognized expert in small firm practice and author of The Architect’s Guide to Small Firm Management (Wiley, 2010). With 20 years of experience as the owner of a small architecture firm, and over 10 years as a consultant and educator, Rena brings a special understanding of firms managed by entrepreneurial designers. Rena served as executive editor of AIA’s The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition (Wiley 2013) and is past chair of the National Advisory Group for the AIAPractice Management Knowledge Community.

Ilse is a co-founder and principal of Studio Balcones. As a firm leader, Ilse focuses on creative solutions for civic and institutional projects that will have significant impact on the future growth and function of cities. Her work on the University of Texas’ campus was awarded 2020 Texas ASLA Merit Award and a 2021 AIA Austin Design Award of Merit. Ilse volunteers her time with The Trail Conservancy’s Project Committee and served on the City of Austin’s Art In Public Places Advisory Panel. A native Austinite, she loves to travel, hikes with her dog, and exploring the art scene.

Sun brings over twenty years of experience in architectural practice to her Senior Management Consultant role at CVG, where she focuses on helping firm owners improve finance, operations, and organizational development. She has led teams and built workshops for both private and public realms including the Smithsonian Institution, Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, and the State of Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality. Sun has also led DEI committees and task forces for organizations such as ULI and the CREW Network. An active advocate for DEI, Sun Joo co-founded Diversity in Design, a professional resource group for designers of color.