The goal of this virtual panel discussion is to learn about the management of a consulting practice including scaling up the business, challenges that can be encountered as one begins to develop specializations, and resources available to support future growth. The panel will help the attendees understand the logistics of sustaining a business while strategically evaluating opportunities to expand your team and your business offerings.
Learning Objectives:
Analyze ways to focus growth in strategic areas of business.
Assess resources/industry networks to support future growth.
Identify challenges to building a sustainable business in the 5-10 year phase.
Evaluate personnel needs and your leadership style as the business evolves.
Webinar Date: August 19, 2021
Time: 4:30PM – 6:00 PM
1.5 AIA LUs
Cost: AIA Members: Free
Non-Members: $20 (plus service fee)
REGISTER HERE
Moderator:
Christine Obnail
Christine Obnial is a Project Manager for Ware Malcomb on the Architecture team, an international design firm offering architecture, interior design, branding, and civil engineering services to corporate and commercial real estate client. She has also taught at Orange Coast College in the Architectural Technology department for five years now on the topic of design visualization. Christine is a talented designer, visual storyteller, and advocate for female leaders in land use professions.
In addition to teaching at Orange Coast College, she also serves on the Technical Advisory Committee that guides the Architectural Technology program’s relevance to the local design community as well as alignment with transfer schools for their students. Christine is the current co-chair of the AIA Orange County Women in Architecture Committee as well as the ULI Orange County/ Inland Empire Women’s Leadership Initiative Vice Chair, demonstrating her passion for elevating women in the profession. Her recent recognitions include: 2020 OCBJ Women in Business Nominee, 2018 ULI Orange County/ Inland Empire Emergent Leadership Award for Mission. Values. Passion, and 2017 ULI Orange County/ Inland Empire Emergent Leadership Award for Architecture & Design.
Christine received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Woodbury University and a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University Extension. She also enjoys spending time as an all-seasons active mother who runs, plays golf, hikes, and snowboards with her family.
Speakers:
June Her
June Her is the principal architect at JH2. A great visionary leader, she has a career that spans over 20 years of notable experience in planning, architecture, and interior design. She understands the economics and functional objectives of her diverse clients’ needs that result in the execution of award-winning projects.
Her vast portfolio includes a broad range of residential and commercial design projects, including a modern sustainable beach home on the Uruguayan Riviera; Hanwha High-rise in Korea, Ko’olani High Rise Mixed use in Honolulu, Hawaii, high end multi story restaurants in Beverly Hills.
Prior to opening her own firm, she worked at Bassenian Lagoni Architects in Newport Beach, California; Durrant Media Five Architects in Honolulu, Hawaii; and Leonard Parker Associates in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She obtained her undergraduate degrees in architecture from SungKyunKwan University in Seoul, Korea, and her Master’s from Texas A&M University. June is a Licensed Architect in California and Hawaii.
Natassia Knutson
Ms. Melendrez-Knutson began her career at a material engineering & testing firm. In recognition of her quick command of the process, integrity and work ethic, she was promoted from dispatch to Project Closeout Manager. Over the years she gained unparalleled experience and continued her upward trajectory. When she reached her peak growth within the firm, she noticed an obscure disparity between men and women in leadership roles - and decided to forge her own path, advocating for women business owners in the school construction sector/ industry, especially within the realm of project support services. Ms. Meledndrez-Knutson began an independent consulting service that soon transitioned into her new women-owned business, Project Support Services. With nine employees, PSS is highly successful in managing the Division of State Architecture (DSA) process due to their deep expertise in DSA requirements, and positive reputation with DSA staff. PSS helps strengthen relationships between school districts, architectural/ engineering teams, and DSA by facilitating conversations and working toward project solutions.
Yolanda Sepulveda
As principal of Spectacle*, Yolanda combines innovative problem solving with creative collaboration to foster a win-win philosophy, for clients, projects, and the firm. Utilizing her success in urban design, and strategic visioning, Yolanda is able to craft experiences that span all sectors in the commercial real estate arena through to lifestyle, beauty brands and social impact initiatives.
Graduating with a degree in Urban Design from the College or Architecture and Environmental Design at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Ms. Sepulveda has spent the bulk of her career focused on user experiences and developing design solutions that reflect the end user. Driven by curiosity and knowledge of the built environments and people, Yolanda leads development teams to reposition assets through re-imagined design elements like visioning, public art, branding, and wayfinding.
She currently serves on the Executive Board for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Los Angeles District Council and is an Urban Revitalization National Product Council member. Ms. Sepulveda proudly serves her community as dual seated Commissioner for both the Arts and Culture, and Design Commission for the City of Pasadena.