Gensler principal to present Hyde Lecture on business of design
October 9, 2026
Lena Kitson, a principal in Gensler’s Chicago office, will present the next Hyde Lecture, "Business of Design," at 4 p.m. Oct. 14 in Architecture Hall West, Room 127.
Kitson works with multidisciplinary teams to guide projects from concept through completion, helping clients translate their vision into successful outcomes through leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration. Her portfolio includes work for Edelman, BP, Chicago Trading Company, the University of Chicago, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
In addition to leading complex projects, Kitson serves on Gensler’s Global Inclusion Committee and works to advance operational excellence and strategic performance across the firm’s regional studios.
During her lecture, Kitson will examine how design extends beyond creativity and aesthetics to create value for clients, organizations, and communities. Drawing from her professional experience, she will discuss:
- The intersection of design, business strategy, and innovation.
- Balancing creativity with project management, client relationships, budgets, and long-term planning for architects and designers.
- The role of design in branding, user experience, and organizational success.
- The growing importance of sustainable, user-centered design in a competitive marketplace.
The Hyde Lecture Series is the College of Architecture’s endowed public lecture program, bringing nationally and internationally recognized leaders in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and planning to campus each year to discuss issues shaping the future of the design professions.