Leevi Kiil, Executive Director of the Global Design Alliance (GDA), will be stepping down from his role at the end of 2016 and assuming the position of Executive Director Emeritus. The GDA Board of Directors will be conducting a search for his replacement, which will be announced in January 2017. Kiil has served as Executive Director since 2004 and has played a vital role in making GDA a platform for idea exchange and innovation among its member firms. GDA is an international network of 14 design, planning and construction firms representing over 5,000 people and $500 million in design fees annually.

1. 26 Gramercy Park South, Suite 4-B, New York, NY 10003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Leevi Kiil, FAIA
917.887.3860 lkiilgda@optonline.net
Patricia A. Harris, Esq.
212.682.6800 pharris@zdlaw.com
THE GLOBAL DESIGN ALLIANCE & LEEVI KIIL ANNOUNCE TRANSITION
New York (November 28, 2016) - The Global Design Alliance LLC, and Leevi Kiil, FAIA, announce that Mr. Kiil will be
stepping down as Executive Director of the GDA and assuming the position of Executive Director Emeritus at the
end of 2016. Mr. Kiil has served as Executive Director of the GDA since 2004. The GDA Board of Directors is
conducting a search for Mr. Kiil’s replacement and will announce it in January 2017.
According to Mr. Kiil, “As our industry continues to experience profound change, GDA is playing an increasingly
vital role for our member firms, for our professions and for our clients, offering a powerful platform for the
exchange of ideas and to explore innovations, to share best practices and to discuss challenges and lessons learned
with each other in a trusting and transparent environment. It has been my great honor to serve Global Design
Alliance since its beginnings and most recently as its Executive Director. I treasure these opportunities to have
worked closely with some of the foremost thinkers in our industry.”
Prior to taking on the role of Executive Director, Mr. Kiil was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
architecture/engineering firm HLW International. His other industry leadership positions have included the American
Institute of Architects, as New York Chapter President and Director on the AIA National Board, New York Building
Congress and AIA Large Firm Roundtable. His leadership, design and service to the profession have been recognized
through many awards, including the 2010 Kideney Gold Medal Award, AIA New York State’s highest honor.
While at HLW, Mr. Kiil’s firm was one of nine co-founding members of the Global Design Alliance in 1993. Gray
Plosser, President of KPS Group, another founding member of GDA, stated “Leevi’s tenure as the Executive
Director of GDA has been marked indelibly by his enthusiasm, his commitment to his profession and his abiding
belief that we can always do better. Leevi brought a deep understanding of how design firms work and a credibility
among his colleagues that helped him both recruit firms to GDA and provide leadership to a Board composed of
peers. Leevi is a man of vision and he has kept the flame of GDA alive. He embraced ‘better together’ and by
example helped to engender and sustain a culture of uncommon honesty and transparency among GDA
members.”
As a 20-year living experiment in trust-based teaming, the GDA is an international network of 14 design, planning
and construction firms representing over 5,000 people, with over $500 million in design fees each year and more
than 90 offices around the world. Member firms include Affiliated Engineers, Inc., ALLiiANCE, The Beck Group, CO
Architects, DIALOG, FXFOWLE, Idibri, Jensen Hughes, Inc., KPFF Consulting Engineers, KPS Group, Mark G.
Anderson Consultants, Inc., PlastArc, RDG Planning & Design, and Zetlin & De Chiara. John Gavan, President of
KPFF and current Chair of the Board of Directors of
GDA, commented, “Leevi’s passion for and dedication to the Global Design Alliance has helped the organization
thrive during his many years of contribution.”
While continuing his affiliation with GDA, Mr. Kiil will also lead his own design and strategic advisory firm. In
addition to working with clients, he will continue his exploration and research into the future of the building
industry through his relationships with industry organizations, universities and practitioners.