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Kate Haas (left) and Debbie Koehler — Courtesy: DIGroup Architecture
By Joshua Burd
DIGroup Architecture has promoted both Kate Haas and Debbie Koehler to the associate level, making them the first non-architects at the 18-year-old firm to achieve the designation.
The practice, which is based in New Brunswick, said the moves deepen its leadership team and reflect its continued growth and empowerment of women. They also recognize Haas and Koehler’s role in interior design and marketing, respectively, for a business that’s largely focused on projects in underserved and underrepresented communities.
As associates, Haas and Koehler will continue to oversee their departments and be involved in decision making and strategy for the firm.
“During Women’s History Month, it is only appropriate that we celebrate the achievements of Kate and Debbie, who are consistently at the forefront of DIG’s sustained growth trajectory and help make us a stronger, more agile firm,” CEO Jeffrey Venezia said. “As individuals and accomplished professionals, Kate and Debbie are changemakers who are validating AEC-related career spinoffs as viable, exciting specialty areas with unlimited growth pathways to executive representation.”
In announcing the promotions, DIG noted that women account for 51 percent of the staff. It now has four female leaders among its associate ranks, while Swarupa Samant is the firm’s first woman of color at the principal level.
Haas, who has been with DIG for eight years, has risen through the ranks from interior designer to senior interior designer to director of interior design last year, according to a news release. Her areas of specialization include interior architecture design strategy, concept development, programming and space planning, 3D modeling and rendering, detailed construction documentation and finish material and furniture selections.
In addition, Haas directs, manages and mentors a team of interior designers to create innovative, practical and award-winning designs tailored to each client’s specific needs. DIG said. She is also proficient in Revit, Autocad, Sketchup and Adobe Creative Suite.
“Because DIG offers me a platform to be innovative with ideas, I’m able to deliver thoughtful, well-rounded designs in collaboration with architecture and graphics team members,” Haas said. “By feeding off this DIG energy and the enthusiasm of our clients, I’m inspired to create spaces that are fun and functional, but also timeless, sustainable and practical.”
A graduate of Virginia Tech, Haas holds certifications and qualifications such as Certified Interior Designer – New Jersey, the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, the news release said. Additionally, she has volunteered for many years in the biannual International Interior Design Association “Fashion Meets Finish” fundraising event, where she has led her team to several award-winning garment honors, including Best Construction and Best Interpretation of Theme.
Koehler, for her part, is an architecture, engineering and construction industry veteran who has spearheaded DIG’s marketing and business development initiatives for nearly six years, the firm said. A University of Lynchburg graduate with a B.A. in business management and Spanish, the Clinton resident leads new client development and strategic partnerships, as well as all related functions that advance DIG’s brand, profile and business strategy.
The practice noted that Koehler has developed award-winning nominations such as its AIA-NJ Firm of the Year award in 2022. She also oversees public relations, content marketing and strategic proposal development, while she is credited with being instrumental to DIG’s expansion into Philadelphia a few years ago, knowing that the city seeks to fulfill at least 35 percent of all for-profit contracts through minority-, disadvantaged- or small business-certified vendors.
“Knowing that the Greater Philadelphia Area is a hub for DIG’s target client base across the health care, education, life sciences, senior living and civic sectors, it made perfect sense from a business and geographic growth perspective,” said Koehler, who noted that the proposition gained unanimous consensus from ownership and was put into action with the establishment of DIG’s Philadelphia office in 2019.
According to Koehler, the firm gained traction to quickly land multiple Philadelphia contracts, accounting for more than 10 percent of DIG’s revenue to date and growing. Just this past year, DIG also remained the sole architectural firm ranked among the city’s largest minority-owned businesses.
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