The 2026 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) cohort kicked off with its first session focused on public speaking and communication, bringing together emerging professionals for a series of hands-on workshops and a panel discussion with Colorado architecture leaders. The session emphasized the critical role communication plays in shaping both individual careers and the broader impact of design practice.
Timothy McCracken, Head of Acting at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, led an interactive workshop exploring how acting techniques can enhance public speaking. Participants examined how tone, pacing, body language, and physical presence contribute to effective communication, and were encouraged to let go of self-consciousness in favor of authenticity. In a second workshop, Mark Hageman, AIA, of Davis Partnership Architects shared a framework for crafting strong, concise introductions, highlighting the importance of clearly articulating one’s role, value, and credibility in under 45 seconds. Cohort members then put this into practice by writing, rehearsing, and delivering their own introductions.
The session concluded with a panel moderated by Ana White of BOSS Architecture, featuring Brad Tomecek, FAIA, Stephen Dynia, FAIA, and Chris Wineman. The discussion focused on how architects communicate design vision to different audiences, with a consistent theme emerging: architecture is fundamentally a service industry. Listening carefully, approaching clients with empathy, and communicating in ways that resonate with their perspectives are essential to building trust and leading effectively. Panelists also encouraged participants to seek out opportunities to observe client interactions, avoid over-reliance on notes or slides, and treat every project as a chance to demonstrate professionalism and care.
Session 2 focused on business development and entrepreneurship, examining how architecture firms secure work, build client relationships, and sustain long term practice. A panel discussion featured James Childs, AIA, NCARB, of HNTB; Brandon Herbst, AIA, of Rowland + Broughton; Adam Wagoner, AIA, of High, Low, Buffalo; Alexis Jarvis of SideCar Public Relations; and Alexander Person III, AIA, of SmithGroup. Panelists shared personal career paths shaped by different economic conditions, emphasizing that architecture is both a creative and service-based profession and that long term success is driven by trust, referrals, and consistent relationship building rather than linear career trajectories.
The session also included a workshop led by Leeds Mallinckrodt Reese of HNTB, offering a behind the scenes look at how firms pursue and win work through marketing, branding, proposals, and interviews. Participants explored the distinction between business development and marketing leadership, practiced strategies for translating complex design ideas into clear narratives, and discussed how storytelling, graphics, and conversational interviews build client confidence. The session concluded with a keynote presentation by Jesse T. Adkins, AIA, of SAR+, who addressed resilience, failure, and values driven leadership, encouraging participants to embrace risk, maintain perspective, and build careers rooted in authenticity, curiosity, and long term intention.
The cohort will reconvene on May 15, 2026 for Session 3 Community Engagement led by Gina Frenette, Assoc. AIA, and Kelly Ryan, AIA, with support from ExCom member Colin D’Emilio, AIA, focusing on the architect’s role in engaging communities and building inclusive meaningful relationships.
