BOSTON—The Boston studio of Perkins and Will has strengthened its leadership team through five internal promotions and a strategic hire.
Andrew Grote and Gautam Sundaram have been promoted to principal; Jeremy Dearborn and Derek Johnson have been promoted to associate principal; Abby Gillespie has been promoted to director of marketing; and Emily Klein has joined the practice as an associate principal and director of workplace strategy.
“These individuals embody the diverse strengths and values of our firm,” says Robert Brown, principal and managing director of the Boston studio. “We congratulate them on their accomplishments and have confidence in their continued leadership within our studio.”
Andrew Grote and Gautam Sundaram, Principals
As director of operations, Andrew Grote plays an essential role in the smooth functioning of the Boston studio. He previously served as the studio’s technical director before his appointment to director of operations; in both roles, Grote has been committed to the integration of design and technology in delivering innovative projects to clients. He has also served as a designer, project manager, and project architect for higher education and cultural institutions, leading national and international projects of considerable size and complexity.
Gautam Sundaram joined the studio in 2019 as an associate principal and the urban design practice leader. His promotion to principal reflects a growing demand for Sundaram’s urban design leadership regionally and nationally. He has collaborated with teams across sectors—from corporate and commercial to life sciences and education—to lend a holistic urban design and planning perspective. Sundaram draws on more than 20 years of experience in landscape architecture, urban design, and academic planning in the Boston area and the broader New England region.
Jeremy Dearborn and Derek Johnson, Associate Principals
Along with his promotion to associate principal, Jeremy Dearborn will become the corporate science practice leader, building on his many trusted relationships with clients and project teams. Dearborn has been a key member of the practice for more than 20 years, and has served as project manager for some of its largest and most notable projects, including the headquarters for Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Indigo Agriculture.
With more than two decades of experience as a designer and project manager, Derek Johnson joins the leadership team as an associate principal. In his current role as the studio’s technical director, Johnson ensures quality of documentation across all active projects and oversees the effective use of design technology. He is also a key member of the corporate and commercial practice, most recently completing the Exchange at 100 Federal, which earned the Harleston Parker People’s Choice Award from the Boston Society of Architects.
Emily Klein, Director of Workplace Strategy
Emily Klein joins the Boston studio as an associate principal and the director of workplace strategy, bringing experience in operational efficiency, process improvement, and change management. She’s passionate about helping clients understand and prepare for the future of work. She’s also a speaker and writer, having co-authored the 2013 book Workshift: Future Proof Your Organization for the 21st Century. Klein services clients across sectors—including corporate and commercial, science and technology, and education—to help them create the optimal employee experience for their workforce.
Abby Gillespie, Director of Marketing
As director of marketing, Abby Gillespie will lead the studio in communicating the value of good design to clients. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience in the industry, she will continue to align the firm’s strengths with the needs of current and prospective clients. She is a passionate advocate for the firm’s values-driven work and ensures clarity and consistency of messaging across the studio’s client-facing communications, digital platforms, and media relations. In this role, she will continue to engage in strategic planning and deliver innovative and interdisciplinary service offerings to clients.
“We are proud of the varied skillsets represented in this group,” says Brown. “It’s that very diversity which allows us to create a strong and resilient practice, and which ultimately enables us to provide the best-possible services to our clients.”
