#57 Designing an Organization with Kate Thatcher, CEO of A+I, Architecture Plus Information

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kate Thatcher is the Chief Executive Officer of <a href= "https://architectureplusinformation.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Architecture + Information (A+I)</a>, a strategy-led architecture and experience design agency based in New York.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As CEO, Thatcher drives the acceleration of innovation, collaboration between teams and subject areas, and further development of culture and inclusion initiatives within A+I.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kate first began her career at A+I in 2004, returning again in 2011 upon completion of her Masters in Architecture degree from Yale University. At A+I, Kate has led design teams creating spaces for world-class companies like Equinox, Chanel, and Horizon Media. She became a principal at A+I in 2018 and was named the agency’s first CEO in 2020. Her innovative project experience and unique perspective having worked up the ranks of the organization inform her leadership style.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A tireless advocate for equity within the architecture and design professions, Kate is responsible for the launch, in 2020, of the firm's +IMPACT initiative, a platform for A+I’s employees to leverage their talents and expertise on opportunities at the intersection of design and social impact. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this episode we talk about:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">How Kate became the first ever CEO of A+I, what she did to prepare for the role, and her advice for younger professionals on how to develop their leadership skills</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Challenging the status quo narrative of the lone starchitect</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nonlinear career paths, and not regretting the forks in the road</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why it can be difficult to leave things behind as you advance in your career, but not being afraid of the new opport