The HKS Partners and Promotions Committee is pleased to announce the firm’s 2026 promotions and appointments, including new Principals and select Partner and Shareholder roles. This year’s honorees embody the firm’s core values of Relationships, Character and Purpose.
These advancements come at a pivotal moment for HKS, as Heath May assumes the role of CEO following a year-long transition, ushering in a new chapter focused on shaping the future of the firm and the industry.
“I am coming into 2026 with gratitude for our people and real excitement for what we can build together,” said Heath May, CEO of HKS. “As we celebrate our new Principals and Partners and every teammate advancing through new roles, licensure and certifications, we are also recognizing the leadership fueling the firm’s growth at a moment of rapid change for our industry. We will meet this moment with flexibility and intention, creating space for bold ideas and innovation as we position HKS for what comes next.”
These notable promotions span HKS offices in Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Chicago; Dallas; Detroit; Dubai; Los Angeles; Mexico City; Phoenix; Raleigh, North Carolina; Richmond, Virginia; Seattle; Singapore; and Washington, D.C.
Profiles of the individuals featured in this release are included below. The full list of 2026 promotions is available here.
ATLANTA:
STEVE ROGERS, PRINCIPAL: Steve Rogers was promoted to Principal at HKS. As a Sr. Construction Administrator, Steve takes pride in playing a role that helps shape his local community through the built environment. By listening carefully to clients’ needs and ideas, Steve turns them into reality with a beautiful, operationally efficient facility brought about through a smooth project delivery process. Steve is responsible for administering procedures and systems required to fulfill design objectives during construction.
AUSTIN:
PATRICK TREADWAY, PRINCIPAL: Patrick Treadway was promoted to Principal at HKS. As a Sr. Construction Administrator, Patrick is devoted to providing high quality service to his clients, both for building successful relationships and understanding that repeat clients are the foundation of our business. His technical knowledge and diverse experience in both building and program types allows him to provide varied solutions to different scenarios. Patrick has experience working as a project team member on both sides of the table, as part of an MEP firm, a developer and with city code departments. He works in all phases of architecture on a wide variety of projects including commercial, educational and governmental.
CHICAGO
PRINCE AMBOOKEN, PRINCIPAL: Prince Ambooken was promoted to Principal and Studio Practice Leader, Mission Critical at HKS. Prince has an eye for detail and enjoys projects that present a challenge, whether a custom residential project or a complex mission critical project. His 20 years of experience in the architecture and planning industry in the U.S. and India has included high-end custom residential and hospitality projects.
DALLAS:
BRIAN BRISCOE, PARTNER: Brian Briscoe was promoted to Partner at HKS. A Studio Practice Leader, Health, project manager and board-certified health care architect, Brian’s creative ideas have delivered high-performing and timeless buildings. Recognition for his projects include the ASHE Vista award that honors teams that demonstrate effective, efficient communication and rely on data-based decision-making processes.
GREG DAVENPORT, PARTNER: Greg Davenport was promoted to Partner at HKS. A Structures Practice Manager and leader of the HKS Structural group, Greg manages staffing, recruiting, and hiring and leads business development efforts. He serves as project manager and Engineer of Record. Greg has market sector experience in healthcare, education, government, sports, hospitality and commercial.
JULIA HAGER, PARTNER: Julia Hager was promoted to Partner at HKS. As a Studio Practice Manager, Health, she guides client projects from an idea to a beautiful and functional built environment. She has a multi-national background and has lived around the world, most recently in Singapore where she established an Asia-Pacific presence for HKS. Julia finds simple, elegant solutions that communicate culture and context.
STEVEN BUELL, PARTNER: Steven Buell was promoted to Partner at HKS. As an Architect, Steve’s responsibilities include preparation, coordination and implementation of construction documents during the construction phase. He is responsible for the procedures and methods necessary to attain the project design through management of the construction contract.
YESENIA BLANDON, PARTNER: Yesenia Blandon was promoted to Partner at HKS. As a Studio Practice Leader, Health, she leads the HCA Health studio, working to strengthen relationships with clients. A native Colombian, she is co-founder of the AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture (LiA) committee. Yesenia was recognized as a Top 20 Under 40 by ENR Magazine Texas and Louisiana, as well as Top 25 Dallas Leaders of the Future.
ANDREA SPONSEL, PRINCIPAL: Andrea Sponsel was promoted to Principal at HKS. As Process Improvement Strategies Leader, Andrea has a keen interest in incorporating lean planning and design principles on each project to eliminate waste and add value for her clients. Her expertise includes change management, project management and integrated project delivery. Andrea implements the philosophies of continuous improvement and standardization of work to each of her projects. She works with project teams to establish guiding principles and measures of success to improve project outcomes.
BRAD ROBICHAUX, PRINCIPAL: Brad Robichaux was promoted to Principal at HKS. As the Global Practice Director for Education Interiors, he focuses on designing K-12, higher education and student housing projects. Leading the Education Interiors studio, Brad has experience as a Design Director for corporate workplace projects and places ideation, empathy and engagement at the core of his leadership and design philosophies.
CARLOS BRES, PRINCIPAL: Carlos Bres was promoted to Principal at HKS. As project architect, Carlos works directly with the project manager and client in coordinating the efforts of the project team. Whether he is diligently overseeing the coordination and production of drawings or addressing and resolving construction phase concerns, Carlos is always poised to deliver the highest care to support the needs of the client and project. His experience encompasses a broad range of project types including hospitality, commercial, education, retail and healthcare.
DEANNE TEETER, PRINCIPAL: Deanne Teeter was promoted to Principal at HKS. Some might call Deanne’s experience wanderlust, but she believes that living in and traveling to interesting places has positively influenced how she thinks about the world and how she designs for her clients. With a liberal arts education giving her a broad base of knowledge from which to pull ideas, Deanne has experience in both architecture and interior design. As Design Director, Deanne brings a holistic approach to her projects. She understands how to successfully lead a team from design concept through documentation while staying true to client goals.
MOLLY CANNADY, PRINCIPAL: Molly Cannady was promoted to Principal and Practice Leader, Pediatrics at HKS. She is driven by a deep desire to improve environments for patients, families and caregivers, believing thoughtful, well-organized design can streamline operations, enhance healing, and empower care teams. A recognized expert in pediatric design and surgery planning, Molly brings a strategic, user-centered approach to every project, balancing clinical rigor with creativity to deliver spaces that are both functional and inspiring.
DETROIT:
STEVEN STROMAN, PRINCIPAL: Steven Stroman was promoted to Principal at HKS. A Health Interiors Studio Practice Leader, Steven is valued by clients and colleagues for collaboration and creativity. He creates environments that inspire healing and contribute to the improvement of patient care and clinical outcomes. He achieves healing designs with an understanding of the human experience with respect for body, mind and spirit.
DUBAI:
TIMOTHY MEYER, PRINCIPAL: Timothy Meyer was promoted to Principal at HKS. A Project Director based in the firm’s Dubai office, Timothy has guided and advised global design teams, providing overall design direction to ensure consistency throughout each project. Timothy’s vast experience across the US and MENA region provides the leadership and know-how to execute projects from inception to completion.
LOS ANGELES:
MITRA MEMARI, PARTNER: Mitra Memari was promoted to Partner at HKS. As Community Regional Director, Mitra leads strategic, purpose-driven change in the built environment, aligning people, purpose and design to create lasting impact for clients and communities. She brings teams together around shared goals and guides complex initiatives with focus. Committed to design that serves people, sustainability and equity, Mitra helps shape the firm’s practice through inclusive leadership and design excellence.
JAMES WARTON, PRINCIPAL: James Warton was promoted to Principal and Regional Practice Director, LINE (Laboratory for INtensive Exploration) at HKS. He plays a key role in venue and sports design projects, focusing on the rationalization and structural synthesis of complex geometries and long-span structures. With a deep interest in advanced manufacturing methods, James brings knowledge of automation and material performance to his work. He also teaches in the graduate program at Woodbury School of Architecture, promoting computational design as a tool for exploring, assessing and refining design ideas.
MANZER MIRKAR, PRINCIPAL: Manzer Mirkar was promoted to Principal at HKS. A Sr. Project Architect with a diverse background and technological expertise, he has a unique perspective on architectural processes from the design phase to contract documentation and construction administration. Focusing on fostering the interrelationship between the profession, academia and the community, Manzer sees created spaces as the backdrop of our lived experiences.
MEXICO CITY:
JORGE BRACHO MARZAL, PARTNER: Jorge Bracho Marzal was promoted to Partner at HKS. A Studio Practice Leader based in Mexico City, he leads the firm’s design efforts for architectural and interior design projects in the region. Jorge’s goal is to exceed client’s needs and expectations to design aesthetic and performing buildings. Tennis and boxing help clear Jorge’s mind in search of new, innovative ideas.
JOSÉ MANUEL MORA DOPAZO, PRINCIPAL: José Manuel was promoted to Principal at HKS. As a Senior Project Manager, José Manuel is responsible for managing teams to provide creative and innovative solutions that respond to client functional requirements and programming space needs. He works closely with the team and client throughout the entire project, including programming, space planning, specifications, design development and construction document development. He provides significant project management leadership and support to clients all the way through construction contract administration.
PHOENIX:
MICHAEL LYONS, PARTNER: Michael Lyons was promoted to Partner and Regional Practice Director, Mission Critical at HKS. With more than 20 years of military service and leadership experience, he leads the growth and delivery of mission critical and advanced technology projects. He served as the architect for the first Project Stargate AI data center campus in Abilene, Texas, and is known for delivering high-reliability design solutions that support speed to market, operational resilience, and long-term client value.
TARA NATIONS, PRINCIPAL: Tara Nations was promoted to Principal and Studio Practice Leader, Mission Critical at HKS. A licensed architect, Tara specializes in the Health and Mission Critical practices. Tara manages diverse projects from conception to completion, while emphasizing mentorship and a commitment to improving communities through architecture. She also coordinates resources, maintains client relationships and contributes to firm-wide initiatives.
RALEIGH:
KRISTEN AMBROSE, PRINCIPAL: Kristen Ambrose was promoted to Principal at HKS. A Practice Leader, Education & Planning, architect and educator, she drives the conception of innovative, award-winning facilities. Specializing in higher education design, analytics and strategy, Kristen leverages data-driven insights and evidence-based design to create sustainable, resilient environments that optimize outcomes.
RICHMOND:
MATT FRANKLIN, PARTNER: Matt Franklin was promoted to Partner at HKS. A Studio Practice Manager, Health, Matt coordinates between owners, design teams and construction managers to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget requirements. Matt attributes his passion for project management to the impact of architecture on people, communities and the environment.
BRIDGETT BAKER THOMAS, PRINCIPAL: Bridgett Baker Thomas was promoted to Principal at HKS. As a Studio Practice Leader, Health, she integrates clinical needs with functional design to enhance health care facilities. Guided by her mission to blend aesthetics with program, she transforms healing spaces by providing meaning and purpose to patients and staff. Bridgett co-founded the AIA Equity Committee by WIELD and was Treasurer from 2017-21.
SEATTLE:
MARK NAKATANI, PARTNER: Mark Nakatani was promoted to Partner at HKS. As Global Practice Director, Mission Critical, he focuses on business strategy and market growth, successfully leading our practice of complex and technology-driven projects. Based in Seattle, Mark has worked on advanced facilities and mission critical projects from around the globe and has partnered with industry-leading technology companies, governments and institutions.
SINGAPORE:
SUMANDEEP SINGH, PRINCIPAL: Sumandeep Singh was promoted to Principal at HKS. As a Studio Practice Leader, Health, Suman has designed large-scale health facilities worldwide, creating spaces that are empathetic to users and adaptable to evolving challenges. Passionate about technology and automation, Suman is dedicated to integrating innovative solutions that enhance the functionality and efficiency of health care environments.
WASHINGTON DC:
EMILY DICKINSON, PRINCIPAL: Emily Dickinson was promoted to Principal at HKS. As a Sr. Medical Planner, she believes that designing a supportive environment for some of life’s most vulnerable moments is a unique opportunity and a great honor. Valuing collaboration, she creates spaces for health care professionals that inspire teamwork and innovation. Emily listens to the input of facility users to plan effective spaces that foster staff and patient success.
NATHAN FERRANCE, PRINCIPAL: Nathan Ferrance was promoted to Principal at HKS. As a Studio Design Leader, Interiors, he brings creative energy to the design team, translating the intangibles of clients’ vision, culture and values into built spaces that embody who they are. Connecting emotion, thoughts and ideas to strategies, Nathan’s skills have garnered multiple awards and industry recognition from IIDA, ASID, AIA and Interior Design Magazine.
ABOUT HKS: HKS is an interdisciplinary global design firm. Our team of 1,700 architects, designers, planners and advisors across 29 offices partner with clients to design and develop elegant solutions to complex challenges. From iconic gathering places to healing environments, our designs enhance experiences and elevate outcomes for all stakeholders. Our work is inspired by curiosity, driven by research and technology and informed by a deep understanding of human and environmental needs. We’re proud to be a carbon neutral firm since 2023.
