Three New Principals Elected to Gensler Board of Directors for 2021

SAN FRANCISCO – Gensler has elected three new Principals to join the Board of Directors in 2021. Andre Brumfield, Cindy Simpson, and Karen Thomas were nominated at the firm’s annual Principals meeting where partners from around the firm voted in support of their incoming roles. Nominees have been selected for exemplary success and leadership among Gensler’s 50 offices, 11 regions, and 3,500 clients spanning every industry, and recognized for their commitment to design innovation.

As Gensler’s Global Cities & Urban Design practice area leader, Andre Brumfield has played a key role in raising the firm’s profile through his work with multiple notable public agencies, private sector clients and nonprofits focused on the future of neighborhoods and cities. He is Vice Chair of the Urban Land Institute’s National Urban Revitalization Counsel and works with the ULI National League of Cities’ Rose Center for Public Leadership in Land Use. Andre is also a Principal, and Design Director in the Chicago office.

Cindy Simpson is one of the firm’s key Client Relationship Community leaders who has been instrumental in elevating the firm’s Client Relationship strategy. A passionate supporter of women’s and children’s charities and deeply engaged in the community, she sits on the Board of Directors of HopeKids and the Advisory and Foundation Boards of the Mississippi State University College of Architecture, Art and Design. Cindy is also a Co-Regional Managing Principal for Gensler’s South Central region.

A leader in the Seattle business community, Karen Thomas is on the executive board for the Seattle ArtsFund and the Bloedel Reserve, a director on the board of Visit Seattle, and a Chairman of the Board of the Seattle Sports Commission. Her career has been shaped by a breadth of roles including strategic government appointee, university professor, administrator, and cultural museum director. Karen is also a Co-Regional Managing Principal for Gensler’s Northwest region.

"Our global leadership team has a determined optimism to improve the human experience through design, and developing a future that promotes equity, resilience, and wellbeing," says Joe Brancato, Co-Chair of the Board and Co-Regional Managing Principal for the Northeast region.

"In support of Gensler’s robust strategy for diversity, equity, and inclusion the new board members will result in equal voices of both gender and cultural backgrounds, says Diane Hoskins, Co-CEO, and Co-Chairperson of the Board at Gensler. As the most diverse group in Gensler’s history, this group will continue to set the bar high for employees, our profession, and our communities."

Directors rotate on and off the board to allow for a constant diversity of viewpoints, engaging practice, and the next generation of leaders. Diane Hoskins and Joe Brancato have been re-elected as Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors. Andy Cohen, Robin Klehr Avia, Daniel W. Winey, Whitley Wood, Jordan Goldstein, Judy Pesek, Raymond Shick, Julia Simet, and John Adams have also been re-elected for their roles for the upcoming term set to take into effect January 1, 2021.

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