As part of a larger initiative to lead a more nimble and transparent architecture and interior design practice that generates opportunity and supports design excellence, MSR Design has elevated six staff members to newly created firm roles, including directors, discipline leads, and marketing and communications manager.

Firm CEO and principal Traci Engel Lesneski, CID, LEED AP, Associate AIA, states, “At the heart of these promotions is support for individual and firm-wide growth and redoubled intentionality related to strengthening design, ensuring successful project outcomes, and enhancing our ability to serve clients.”

Directors
The firm’s new directors will act as a common point of interaction between strategic practice-oriented initiatives. They will provide a bridge between the firm’s goals for the practice and individual expertise needed from the entire staff. Our new directors include:

Brendan Gill Sapienza, AIA, CSI, CDT, LEED AP | Director of Technical Practice
“Brendan has led technical research and development for many projects. As director of technical practice, he will continue to lead development of our technical expertise, focusing on technical research, documentation, and quality control of project deliverables. Brendan brings his extensive life experience to mentoring younger staff and shaping our culture.”—Dagmara Larsen, AIA, LEED AP | Principal

Kate Michaud, AIA, LEED AP | Director of Project Delivery
“Kate gains confidence with her clients and colleagues with ease. Her innate ability to see the big picture and move projects forward saves time so that project team members can focus on design excellence. This rare leadership trait is an inspiration to me personally, and I’m thankful for what it means for our work and clients.”—Matthew Kruntorád, AIA, LEED AP | Principal

Simona Fischer, AIA, CPHC | Director of Sustainable Practice
“Simona brings a true passion for sustainable design: enthusiasm, lived experience, and a willingness to step in and organize herself and others around things she believes in. She advocates deeply for sustainable design and connects people who can help others become more knowledgeable about sustainable design. Simona lives her values in her daily life.”—Paul Mellblom, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C | Principal

Discipline Leads
MSR Design’s new discipline leads will identify and advocate for ways of working that ensure an integrated practice and design excellence across all projects. Our new discipline leads include:

Veronica McCracken, CID, IIDA | Interior Design Discipline Lead
“Veronica has a keen sense of how to integrate interior design and architecture. Her ability to think spatially and articulate her thinking during the design process leads to the design of richer, more experiential spaces. This talent advances MSR Design values and encourages all of us to create places that people are deeply connected to.”—Matthew Kruntorád, AIA, LEED AP | Principal

Tom Haller, RA | Architecture Discipline Lead
“Tom has a deep passion for all aspects of the architectural profession—from concept design through construction. His vast interest in design tools and technical project execution has propelled many projects forward. We are excited to watch Tom’s energy and leadership shape MSR Design.”—Dagmara Larsen, AIA, LEED AP | Principal

Marketing & Communications Manager
Firm associate Amy Nash will serve as the firm’s new marketing and communications manager. Working closely with the firm’s principals and design staff, she will manage all marketing efforts, from developing and preparing proposals and other marketing materials to internal and external communications celebrating the firm’s work, achievements, initiatives, and goals.

Amy Nash | Marketing & Communications Manager
“I’ve worked with Amy for more than 20 years and have always found her to be highly precise and completely reliable in her work—which is top notch. She consistently presents our firm in the best light and is willing to help guide our successes in any way she can. I enjoy working with Amy and appreciate the poetry—literally and figuratively—she brings to our firm.”—Paul Mellblom, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C | Principal

“We are grateful to work with these outstanding, talented individuals and excited about what these new roles will mean for our practice,” says Traci. She continues, “We are already seeing positive changes that will surely unlock latent potential across the firm.”