uniquely creative voice in the design profession, informed by a diverse background in architecture, A and environmental psychology, I thrive on designing spaces that strengthen our emotional connection to the places we live, work and play. I have worked across the world and excelled at guiding organizations through the entire design process from programming and concept design through to the day people spend their first night. Having worked with many top brands and developers around the country, I am adept at working with clients’ brands standards, visions, value propositions, budgets, schedules and business goals, while breathing new life into them, making them feel fresh and exciting.

“Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation “ - Steve Jobs, and I enjoy bringing the soul to a project. I find incredible joy in helping my clients bring their stories to life through design. Every client has a distinctive perspective. Design is the catalyst for making it meaningful to others.

My tenacity to build my professional network, foster meaningful relationships and understand real estate developers, brokers, operators, brands, design leaders, business owners, financial analysts, property managers, contractors and many others gives me an edge on how I approach the world, my clients, my team and their needs.

I am seeking a full time position in the Design, and Real Estate Industry that leverages all my multidisciplinary education and experiences. I thank you for taking the time to listen to my story.

Smita Sahoo, 2020 my philosophy Lead with kindness and integrity. SMITA SAHOO

Vice President at CannonDesign Design Director Vice President at CannonDesign, Commercial & Hospitality Interiors sector (2019 - 2020) Design studio responsibilities - Fostered a highly forward thinking and collaborative Hospitality Interiors studio, provided creative design leadership, mentored younger designers and thinkers, inspired team, created a unique design vision, led client presentations, reviewed contracts, managed teams, managed external consultants, supervised all phases of project - planning, programming, design presentations, construction documentation, FFE specifications, value , project budgets, construction administration, site supervision and final close out. “I find incredible Client responsibilities (interviews, pursuits and proposals) - Strategized, directed marketing team, led client interviews and generated project oppurtunities / RFP (Request For Proposal) worth 1 million dollars in design fees. joy in helping Business Development & Community Outreach responsibilities - Initiated the Hospitality / Branded Residences business sector, built relationships with local and national mixed used developers, owners, brands and operators. Participated in several public speaking engagements to promote and support minority leaders in the Commercial Real Estate community. my clients bring at bKL Architecture Associate Director at bKL Architecture, Commercial mixed-use & Multifamily Interiors sector (2015 - 2019) their stories to life Design responsibilities - Provided creative design direction, inspired team, created a unique design vision, led client presentations, managed internal teams, managed external consultant, supervised all phases of a project - planning, programming, design presentations, construction documentation, FFE specifications, value engineering, project budgets, through design. Every construction administration, site supervision and final close out. client has a unique Client responsibilities (interviews, maintain relationship) - Strategized, led client interview presentations and continued to maintain excellent relationships with clients. Business Development & Community Outreach responsibilities - Networked, built relationships with local Chicago developers and actively promoted the firm and its practice. Participated in various design community’s social and philanthropic engagements, took active leadership role in several design industry organizations. perspective. Design Associate at Perkins & Will Project Designer Associate at Perkins & Will , Commercial & Corporate Interiors sector (2007 - 2015) is the catalyst for Design responsibilities - Led design efforts for projects, worked with Design Directors to create design vision for projects, developed final execution drawings and specifications, making it meaningful provided task lists and supervised junior designers, interns and consultants. Became a link between the junior and senior design team members. Community outreach responsibilities - Participated in various design community’s social and philanthropic engagements, took active volunteering role in several design industry organizations. to others. “ at HOK Design Strategist at HOK, Commercial & Corporate Advance Real Estate Strategies sector (2006 - 2007) Assisted in collecting and analyzing data for real estate analysis reports for Fortune 500 companies, curated focus group discussions, individual and group interviews, team visioning session and produced final deliverable. Awards 2018 - Outstanding Young Alumna Award - University of Florida, FL 2017 - NAIOP Chicago awards for excellence: Multifamily Development of the year - Wolf Point West 2017 - Friends of Downtown Best New Building Award - Exhibit on Superior 2017 - CAMME Award: Two/Three Bedroom Model Unit - Exhibit on Superior 2016 - CISC0 project of the year award: new construction - Wolf Point West 2014 - IIDA Global Design Award - The King Abdullah Specialty Children’s Hospital 2013 - Building Industry award for the US Bank – Private Client Reserve office in Naples 2005 - Diane Fisher award - Outstanding Student Service to the University and community Vice President at CannonDesign Education Commercial & Hospitality Interiors sector (2019 - 2020) , The Hotel School Cornell, SC Johnson College of Business, USA (2019 - 2020) Certificate in Hotel Planning & Design, Certificate Hotel Real Estate Investments & Asset Management (Pending) University of Florida, USA (2003 - 2005) - Master of Interior Design University of Mumbai, India (1997 - 2002) - Bachelor of Architecture at bKL Architecture Registrations Commercial mixed-use & Multifamily Interiors sector (2015 - 2019) NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) no. 25008 LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited professional Certificate in Hotel Planning & Design Associate at Perkins & Will Skills Commercial & Corporate Interiors sector (2007 - 2015) Computer Revit Architecture, Autocad, Adobe - Indesign, Photoshop, Autodesk 3DS Max, Microsoft - Word, Excel, Powerpoint,Newforma, Bluebeam Revu. People Business development, networking, building relationships with the real estate community - developers, brokers, owners, operators, contractors and consultants. at HOK Speaking Engagements Commercial & Corporate Advance strategies sector (2006 - 2007) Exploring “Transparent Security” - presented at the Annual Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) Conference. unger for Panel discussion - Minority women in Commercial Real Estate Industry at Chicago, IL Distinguished Young Alum keynote speaker at University of Florida, FL at HOK knowledge Invited Design Juror Commercial & Corporate Advance strategies sector (2006 - 2007) “H keeps me going in life. School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL Harrington School of Design, Chicago, IL Boston Architecture College, Boston, MA I am a life long student The New England School of Art & Design @ Suffolk University, Boston, MA University of Georgia, Athens, GA of the world. Cooking, Georgia Tech College of Architecture, Atlanta, GA University of Florida, Gainesville, FL at HOK fashion, painting, Advisory Board Member Commercial & Corporate Advance strategies sector (2006 - 2007) University of Florida, Gainesville, FL jewelry collecting, at HOK Professional affiliations Commercial & Corporate Advance strategies sector (2006 - 2007) meandering in museums CoreNet Global, Chicago - Board member (2017 - 2018) IIDA (International Interior Design Association) - Professional member (2006 - 2019) inspire me. “ U.S. Green Building Council NEWH - The Hospitality Industry Network etwork N

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SMITA SAHOO email - [email protected]; phone - 404.754.7824