Press Releases January 28, 2025

Perkins&Will Celebrates New Leadership for its Atlanta Studio and Firmwide Workplace Practice

Kim Rousseau succeeds David Dymecki as Atlanta’s managing director
John Sadlon steps into the role of firmwide workplace practice leader
Catherine Heath and Irene Vogelsong lead regional workplace practices

ATLANTA and NEW YORK—A new era of leadership marks the start of 2025 at Perkins&Will, as the firm this month celebrates five notable career transitions in studios up and down the U.S. East Coast. From Atlanta and New York to Charlotte and Washington, D.C., here are the next-generation Perkins&Will leaders who are ushering the firm into the new year:

Kim Rousseau | Managing Director, Atlanta

Kim Rousseau is stepping into the role of managing director at Perkins&Will’s Atlanta studio, after leading the firm’s global workplace practice since 2018. In this new position, she’ll be tasked with overseeing business development, nurturing client relationships, supporting studio culture, ensuring financial health, and upholding the studio’s quality of work. Rousseau will also work with the other Southeast studios to strengthen the firm’s presence across the region.

With 29 years of design leadership experience under her belt, Rousseau brings a deep understanding of both human experience and the significance of place. Her approach centers on shaping the journey as much as the destination—navigating the complexities of collaboration and building trusted client-consultant relationships along the way. At Perkins&Will, she’s led projects across diverse sectors, developing long-lasting partnerships with clients such as Truist, The Woodruff Arts Center, Emory University, and Google.

“I’m honored to be in this role at a studio that has become a second home to me for the past 21 years,” Rousseau says. “The Atlanta studio’s commitment to service, its active presence in the community, and its focus on advancing J.E.D.I. are values I hold close. I’m eager to build on this legacy and further push the caliber of our work. I believe design has the power to create places where humanity thrives in harmony with nature—and each day, we strive to make a positive difference.”

Rousseau succeeds David Dymecki, who—after nearly 15 years of service to the firm, eight of which included his leadership of the Atlanta studio—is retiring this spring. Dymecki came to Perkins&Will in 2010 to establish its sports, recreation, and entertainment practice in partnership with the firm’s Toronto studio. He was a driving force behind the 2017 merger with Denver-based sports architecture firm Sink Combs Dethlefs, now Perkins&Will’s Denver studio. As managing director of the Atlanta studio and Southeast regional director, Dymecki has driven growth across all practice areas and disciplines—expanding the studio’s size, elevating design quality, increasing profitability, and strengthening client relationships in the local market. His leadership also fostered a culture of mentorship, delivered exceptional client service, and advanced environmental and social stewardship through Living Design. Additionally, Dymecki has served on the Board of Directors, Firmwide Marketing Council, and Leadership Forum, further shaping the firm’s vision and strategy.

“As I look back on my time at Perkins&Will, it’s been a deeply fulfilling experience, both professionally and personally,” Dymecki says. “I’m grateful for the incredible team we’ve built and the lasting impact we’ve made. Kim’s leadership brings a fresh, exciting energy to the Atlanta office, and I have no doubt she’ll continue to elevate the work we do for our clients and communities. As I step into this next chapter, I do so with pride and confidence, knowing the studio is in such capable hands.”

John Sadlon | Firmwide Workplace Practice Leader

After 13 years with Perkins&Will, John Sadlon takes on the role of firmwide workplace practice leader. Previously leading the workplace team in the New York studio, and overseeing the firm’s regional workplace practice, Sadlon will work closely with the firm’s global design directors to drive business strategy for continued growth and the delivery of innovative workplace strategies and consulting services. His focus will be on helping businesses adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of work, while nurturing client relationships, steering financial success, and mentoring colleagues.

With over 25 years of experience as a licensed architect, Sadlon has led complex projects, completing more than 10 million square feet of work across 48 cities in 12 countries. He is a member of the AIA, co-chair of the IIDA’s New York Chapter, and a past chair of the Design Professions Council of the Fetzer Institute.

“The business of design excites me most in my new role as firmwide workplace practice leader,” Sadlon says. “I’m inspired by the idea of ‘raising all boats’—empowering our clients to thrive by strengthening what’s already working and turning their challenges into impactful, future-ready solutions.”

Sadlon succeeds Kim Rousseau in the role.

Catherine Heath | Northeast Regional Workplace Practice Leader

Catherine Heath joins Perkins&Will as Northeast regional workplace practice leader following the firm’s September 2024 merger with her interior architecture and workplace strategy practice, HYL. As the founder and CEO of HYL, Heath has built a reputation for excellence in corporate office design and workplace strategy, particularly for law firms. Her work includes high-profile projects like the Washington, D.C. office of Williams & Connolly and the New York office of global investment firm Carlyle Group, along with a number of award-winning designs across the U.S. In her new role, Heath will focus on strengthening strategic relationships with law firms and corporate clients, fostering talent within teams, and leveraging her expertise in the legal and financial sectors to enhance the firm’s services across the board.

“There’s tremendous potential to grow our interiors practice in D.C., Philly, New York, and Boston, and I look forward to working with such a talented team,” Heath says. “Together, we’ll not only expand our reach but also create more opportunities for professional growth, both within our practice and across the firm as a whole.”

Irene Vogelsong | Southeast Regional Workplace Practice Leader

Irene Vogelsong has been with Perkins&Will’s North Carolina practice for 13 years, most recently as workplace managing principal. Her work is centered on designing environments that promote wellbeing, adaptability, and innovation. Vogelsong is also deeply engaged in her community, having served as the past chair of the Public Art Commission of Mecklenburg County and contributing to boards such as the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, and Truliant Federal Credit Union. As regional workplace practice leader, Vogelsong will shape the workplace strategy for Perkins&Will’s southeastern U.S. offices, ensuring a unified design approach across the region. She will oversee teams in Atlanta, Charlotte, Durham, and Miami, driving the practice’s continued growth and success.

“Design is about connecting the dots across people, ideas, and disciplines,” Vogelsong says. “I believe collaboration, sharing, and leveraging research and best practices across project typologies are key to achieving forward-thinking solutions that inform each other.”

Planning for Future Success

These and other transitions at the firm—including last year’s changes to executive leadership and the naming of Lindsey Peckinpaugh as president—reflect Perkins&Will’s commitment to meeting the dynamic needs of its clients and evolving markets.

“Transitioning leadership is a natural part of our growth, and we’re grateful for those who’ve shaped our journey,” says Phil Harrison, Perkins&Will CEO. “As we usher in a new wave of leadership, we look forward to the fresh ideas and perspectives that will propel us forward.”

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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. The firm is committed to creating a better, beautiful, more equitable world through Living Design, an approach that integrates environmental, social, and design considerations to advance ecological health and well-being. Interior Design named Perkins&Will a “Sustainability Giant” in 2024; Architizer named it the world’s “Best Sustainable Firm” in 2023; and Metropolis named it “Firm of the Year” in 2022 for its industry leadership in advancing climate action and social justice. Fast Company named Perkins&Will one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture three times, and in 2021, it added the firm to its list of Brands That Matter—making Perkins&Will the first architecture practice in the world to earn the distinction.

With an international team of more than 2,400 professionals, Perkins&Will has over 30 studios worldwide, providing integrated services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, and landscape architecture. Partners include Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects; McLennan Design; Portland; Nelson\Nygaard; and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). For more information, visit www.perkinswill.com.

Perkins&Will Celebrates New Leadership for its Atlanta Studio and Firmwide Workplace Practice

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