Cuningham elevates twelve team members with new leadership titles
Cuningham is proud to announce the appointment of twelve team members to Associate, Associate Principal, and Principal leadership titles. The elevation of these individuals is a reflection of their ability to implement a positive, strategic influence on the firm’s teams, clients, and broader industry while demonstrating leadership excellence and an ownership mindset.
"Cuningham thrives of the strength and diversity of our leadership," CEO Nathan Harris says. "Each of these newly recognized leaders has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and design excellence in all they do. Their advancement is a reflection of their capacity to shape not only the success of our projects and clients but also Cuningham’s unique culture and values. We are excited for these team members as they continue to help guide the future of our firm.”
Learn more about the team members below.
Katie Sander Smith
Promoted to Associate
"Becoming an Associate is much more than a title or being a shareholder. It means that the teams I work with and the firm itself believe in what I am doing. The past five years have helped grow my confidence, find my voice, and establish my place here at Cuningham. It’s now time for me to invest back into the company and use my influence and leadership to advance Cuningham’s market presence."
Renee Heffner
Promoted to Associate
"I find it extremely rewarding to not only support the project managers but also mentor them. It's not just about sharing my experience; it is about teaching them why project management matters and what changes they can make to better the success of Cuningham. I believe in the future of Cuningham and strive to make my daily decisions with success in mind. I am excited to be a part of this winning team."
Mackenzie Hulbert
Promoted to Associate
“Cuningham is a place that has given me many opportunities to grow and strengthen my leadership skills over the years and fits my core value of ‘paying it forward.’ Becoming a titled leader means I can better leverage my leadership abilities to empower others and help create stronger, more cohesive teams that drive innovation and ultimately supports the well-being of Cuningham and our clients.”
Joe Bertucci
Promoted to Associate
"As associate, I am eager to keep finding new ways to contribute to Cuningham’s continued success and growth through my BIM implementation, leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder management. I am honored to take on this responsibility and eager to demonstrate leadership excellence that drives our mission forward."
Sepideh Emamzadehei
Promoted to Associate
"As Cuningham continues to grow, I’m excited that my promotion to Associate will enable me to contribute even more to our success. I am eager to embrace this new responsibility, continuing to lead with passion, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. As an associate, I am eager to continue building on the firm’s strategic goals, helping to shape a culture that values diversity, creativity, and collaboration."
Shayan Gharagozlu
Promoted to Associate
“I am deeply honored to be named a Cuningham Associate and am eager to contribute to our firm’s continued success in more significant ways. My journey with the firm has been one of continuous learning and advancement, and as an Associate, I aim to further align our design practices with Cuningham’s strategic goals, ensuring that our projects consistently achieve excellence. Ultimately, I am motivated by the opportunity to contribute to something larger than myself, where my efforts can have a lasting impact on our firm and our industry.”
Mark Helseth
Promoted to Associate Principal
"Being promoted to Associate Principal is a significant milestone for me. Having been with the firm for nearly two decades, I’ve had the privilege of leading teams and developing innovative solutions that have shaped significant projects and crucial client relationships. This new title reflects my commitment to driving design excellence and fostering collaboration across studios. I’m excited to keep advancing Cuningham’s expertise in shifting and emerging markets and fostering successful, inclusive and educational environment for all to excel and grow."
Kathleen Herrington
Promoted to Associate Principal
"Stepping into the role of Associate Principal represents a significant milestone in my journey with Cuningham, reflecting my deep commitment to the firm’s mission and culture. As I move forward, I am dedicated to embodying our core principles, drawing on integrity, innovation, and collaboration as guiding forces. The values we share—nurturing curiosity, shaping the future, caring for the planet, supporting one another, and finding joy in our work—are central to my approach. By staying true to these ideals, I aim to contribute meaningfully to our collective goals while helping to uphold and enhance the culture that makes Cuningham unique."
Brad Stech
Promoted to Associate Principal
“I am honored to be elevated to Associate Principal and am excited about to opportunities that come along with this new role. Creating a culture where everyone feels respected and valued requires intentional, ongoing effort. I hope to use my position to foster a collaborative environment that champions equity, diversity, and inclusion. This means investing in the continuous development of our team members through training, mentoring, and opportunities for increased responsibility.”
Andrew Fastman
Promoted to Associate Principal
“I am honored and humbled by being able to contribute at the level of Associate Principal and I remain stalwart in the intent to advance this practice into the future.”
Charles Stoffel
Promoted to Principal
“As principal, I'll focus on fostering a culture of technical excellence that contributes to developing Cuningham's future leaders. It is important that everyone at Cuningham see themselves represented at all leadership levels; the elevation of a technical architect like myself to the principal level is a clear demonstration that technical expertise is a valuable asset at the highest levels of the firm.”
Heidi Neumueller
Promoted to Principal
“I see the role of Principal as a platform to enact positive change, both within our organization and the industry. I am deeply committed to promoting inclusive design and advancing practices of community engagement, well-being, and belonging in our work. Becoming a principal would allow me to amplify these efforts and inspire others to embrace these values.”
Leadership at Cuningham
Cuningham believes there is no one way, one path, or one type of person that can be a titled leader. That is why, starting this year, we’ve simplified our path to titled leadership; our new readiness approach allows team members who demonstrate a commitment to Cuningham’s purpose and strategy to start and complete the leadership nomination process at their own pace. We’ve also reimagined the firm’s ownership model, so any Cuningham employee with a leadership title—not just Principal—is eligible to acquire company shares.
The ten leaders above represent the first team members to move through our new process. Congratulations to all!