New changes include the appointments of Kevin Kelly and Gemma Kim to the firm’s partnership, and the promotion of Lisa Matkovic as CEO.
Acclaimed architecture and design firm Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) has announced a series of promotions aimed at enhancing collaboration and expanding ownership of the firm. Founded by Robert A.M. Stern over 50 years ago, RAMSA has grown into an organization of 250 architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and supporting team members. Today’s announcements include the appointment of two new partners, Kevin J. Kelly and Kyung Sook Gemma Kim, who will join an existing cohort of 17 esteemed partners. Additionally, following a decade serving as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, Lisa M. Matkovic has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
“The partners at RAMSA believe that the future of the firm lies in its rising leadership. These appointments reflect our recognition of these young leaders’ contributions to our success over the past years, but moreover our confidence that they will sustain, invigorate, and enrich our collective legacy,” says Roger H. Seifter, Partner, RAMSA and chair of the firm’s Management Committee.
Kevin joined RAMSA in 2011 and has supported the firm’s growth across domestic and international markets. Leveraging his design expertise, he has managed several important projects in RAMSA’s international portfolio, including numerous large-scale planning projects in China; the Kaplankaya Marina Village in Bobruk, Turkey; and the Kowloon Peak apartment complex in Hong Kong. For the last several years, Kevin has helped spearhead projects with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Operations, which range from in-depth research reports on existing buildings to the renovation of government facilities on three continents. Most recently, he helped lead the preservation and expansion of the historic Charles R. Jonas Federal Building and Courthouse in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Stepping into this next chapter at RAMSA is a true honor. My journey with the firm has been defined by a shared commitment to architectural excellence, deep collaboration, and nurturing our next generation of talent. I look forward to continuing to elevate our expertise and delivering meaningful solutions that support our clients across the globe,” says Kevin J. Kelly, Partner, RAMSA.
Gemma has been with RAMSA for over 15 years, playing a key role in expanding the firm’s international presence. She spearheaded RAMSA’s entrance into South Korea, leading a signature corporate showplace in Seoul for one of the country’s most prominent companies. Gemma has also been instrumental in realizing many of the firm’s luxury apartment buildings and mixed-used projects, including 30 Park Place – which combines the five-star Four Seasons hotel with luxury condominium apartments – and 70 Vestry in New York, One Bennett Park in Chicago, and large-scale developments in San Francisco and Santa Ana, California.
“I’m thrilled to join the distinguished partnership at RAMSA and build upon our legacy. It’s been an incredible opportunity to grow our presence at home and abroad, and I have been fortunate to collaborate with forward-thinking clients and colleagues on unique projects at all scales,” says Gemma Kim, Partner, RAMSA.
In the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer, Lisa M. Matkovic will continue to serve as a conduit between design leadership and the larger firm, with a focus on executing RAMSA’s strategic vision. Lisa has been at the firm for over 12 years and has played an important role in supporting the partners in designing and implementing its business strategies. “Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside partners and associate partners on the firm’s business strategies. As we enter this new phase of growth, RAMSA is extremely well-positioned to adapt to our clients’ and industry’s ever-evolving needs, and I am thrilled to continue supporting this collaborative ecosystem,” says Lisa M. Matkovic, CEO, RAMSA.
About Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP, is an international architectural practice based in New York City offering architecture, urban planning, landscape, and interior design services. For more than 50 years, the practice has remained committed to architecture as an art and a profession. As a leading design firm with expertise in residential, commercial, and institutional projects, RAMSA believes buildings must gracefully satisfy clients’ needs while speaking to the public and elevating everyday life. The firm maintains an attention to detail and commitment to design quality which has earned international recognition, numerous awards and citations for design excellence. https://www.ramsa.com/