Brenda Smith, Matthew Malone, and Jennifer Graham are elevated to Principal; Rachel Rose is elevated to Associate Principal
Global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will announces the promotions of Jennifer Graham, Matthew Malone, and Brenda Smith to principals of the corporate interiors, science and technology, and health practices, respectively. Additionally, Rachel Rose, firmwide director of communication, has been promoted to associate principal. âOur latest promotions reflect the strength of our leadership within the New York studio of Perkins&Will, as well as the industry. Theyâre our way of celebrating the individuals who make a remarkable impact on our work and culture through excellence and innovation,â said Bill Harris, managing director. âWe are thrilled to recognize the contributions of Jennifer, Matthew, Brenda, and Rachel.â
Jennifer Graham, Principal, Corporate Interiors
Image courtesy of Perkins&Will
Jennifer Graham, promoted to principal of Corporate Interiors, leads by mentoring, learning on behalf of others, and serving as an indispensable conduit of information between her team and clients. The influence of Grahamâs family and shared values in her native Barbados, are evident in everything she does: from ultimately fulfilling her fatherâs dream of working in architecture and following his dedication to serving others, to epitomizing the resolve and relentless pursuit of knowledge of her Peruvian grandmother.
As leader of the studioâs Social Purpose programâpart of a firmwide commitment to donating time and resources to organizations whose values align with Perkins&WillâsâGraham champions efforts to give back to the greater community. The role complements her work as co-founder of the networking and peer mentoring organization LMNOP (Leadership, Mentoring, Networking and Opportunity for Architecture and Design Professionals). Â In October 2020, Graham also became IIDA NYâs vice president of action. In this position, Graham oversees and stewards the Catalyst and Equity programs. This defining role provides a platform for Graham to continue championing social justice causes, equity and community support opportunities.
Her past work include the HĂ€fele New York showroom, Viacom New York headquarters, and the Nixon Peabody New York office, which received the Project of the Year award from New York City CoreNet in 2018.
Matthew Malone, Principal, Science and Technology
Image courtesy of Perkins&Will
Matthew Malone has been promoted to principal of the studioâs science and technology practice. As the sectorâs practice leader, Malone leads the New York studioâs science and technology team for a wide range of research environments and scientific workplace facilities and projects.
Malone brings over 20 years of planning and design experience to Perkins&Willâs science and technology practice in New York. A design leader in the life sciences sector, he brings a hands-on approach to his work with developers, owners, institutions, and researchers to helping them navigate the complexities of a booming new market and realize their goals. Whether a project is new construction or adaptive reuse, his in-depth knowledge of scientific environments and laboratory real estate ensures clients receive clear, practical guidance.
Brenda Smith, Principal, Health
Image courtesy of Perkins&Will
With over 25 years of design experience combined with seven years as a registered nurse, Brenda Smith is a one-of-a-kind health practice leaderâand now a principal. Smith connects the firmâs research labs to the daily design and planning work of the New York health practice, ensuring clients have access to the most advanced strategies, insights, and tools, and ultimately, client success and satisfaction. She began her career with Perkins&Will at the firmâs Atlanta studio in 2008 and moved to New York in 2019.
Long before coming to Perkins&Will, Smith was a nurse in radiology oncologyâan experience that had equipped her with invaluable insight into how design impacts care staff and patients. Later, she worked at a major pediatric healthcare system, where she managed the design of a three-campus replacement hospital expansion. This gave her firsthand knowledge about what makes successful client-designer relationships.
Smithâs award-winning projects, both built and unbuilt, include the CARTI Cancer Center in Little Rock, Arkansas; The Medical University of South Carolina and Pearl Tourville Womenâs Pavilion (MUSC) in Charleston, South Carolina; King Abdullah Specialist Childrenâs Hospital (KASCH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Hamad Medical City Medical Education and Simulation Center in Doha, Qatar.
Rachel Rose, Associate Principal, Firmwide Director of Communication
Image courtesy of Perkins&Will
Based in New York but serving all 25 Perkins&Will studios worldwide, Rachel Rose sets the firmâs global communication strategy. As the âvoiceâ of the firmâs brand, she is responsible for internal and external messaging; business, acquisition, and crisis communications; multimedia promotional campaigns; and media relations. Additionally, she supports Perkins&Willâs sister firms: Nelson\Nygaard, Pierre-Yves Rochon, Portland Design, and Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects. A former journalist, Rachel Rose is passionate about human-centered, empathic storytelling. She enjoys applying the critical thinking and communication skills she honed as a news reporter to support Perkins&Willâs designers, projects, and clients every day.
These leadership promotions come at a significant time for Perkins&Willâs New York practice, which continues to help clients across the tri-state area thrive in an ongoing global pandemic. A flexible, adaptable, and resilient studio in Nomad Tower at 1250 Broadwayâwhich the team designed and built out during the first COVID-19 lockdown periodâis a testament to the firmâs creativity and agility.
About Perkins&Will
Perkins&Will, an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm, was founded in 1935 on the belief that design has the power to transform lives. Guided by its core valuesâdesign excellence, diversity and inclusion, living design, research, resilience, social purpose, sustainability, and well-beingâthe firm is committed to designing a better, more beautiful world. Fast Company named Perkins&Will one of the Worldâs Most Innovative Companies in Architecture, and industry rankings consistently place Perkins&Will among the worldâs top design practices. With an international team of more than 2,000 professionals, the firm has over 20 studios worldwide, providing integrated services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, and landscape architecture. Partners include Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen; retail strategy and design consultancy Portland; sustainable transportation planning consultancy Nelson\Nygaard; and luxury hospitality design firm Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). For more information, visit www.perkinswill.com.