Katie Mesia

Biography

Katie believes the built environment’s greatest opportunity move toward regeneration is to empower, educate, and inspire people.

As Gensler’s Global Design Resilience Leader and Director of Sustainability, Katie builds ambition and confidence across the firm’s 7,000 employees.
For more than 20 years, Katie has worked at the intersection of design, climate action, and organizational change. She has contributed directly to more than 400 sustainable projects totaling 165 million square feet, including projects pursuing net-zero energy, water, and waste. Her work spans place-based strategies including native ecology and vernacular architecture, as well as energy, carbon, materials, water, and wellness. Her role extends beyond direct project support: she translates that expertise into practical, scalable strategies, and helps make it instinctive for designers and leaders throughout the practice.

We are building projects, but more importantly, we are changing how people think and what they experience.

Selected Projects

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Urban Land Institute Headquarters

Launching ULI into its next chapter of impact through deeper member engagement and collaboration, in a headquarters inspired by the powerful ecosystem of a “base camp.”

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Capital One Arena

Capital One Arena reimagines an iconic civic landmark, transforming a beloved sports venue into a catalyst for downtown revitalization, culture, and unforgettable fan experiences.

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Amazon HQ2 Metropolitan Park

A vibrant new home for 14,000 Amazonians in the nation's capital showcasing the possibilities of impact at a global scale from a local perspective.

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Waldorf Astoria Residences Guadalajara

Waldorf Astoria Residences Guadalajara introduces a new residential landmark in Zapopan, combining architectural presence, refined interiors, and a distinctive approach to contemporary living.

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New Terminal One at JFK International Airport

JFK Airport’s all-new Terminal One will prioritize accessibility, convenience, and the ultimate passenger experience from airside to landside.

In the News

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[FPO] How a Big Firm Drives Big Change

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[FPO] Sustainability Credentials Are Confusing. Gensler Wants to Change That

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[FPO] Beyond the Checklist: How Gensler’s Product Sustainability Standards Shape Better Design Decisions

Katie's Posts

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[FPO] From Mill Towns to Cities: How the Mass Timber Revolution Is Impacting People and the Planet

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[FPO] Is Mass Timber the American South's Best Kept Secret? Not for Long.

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[FPO] Why Low-Carbon, Healthy Materials Are an Imperative for the Building Industry

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Qualifications and Recognition

Master of Architecture, The Catholic University of America

Bachelor of Science in Architecture, The Catholic University of America

Registered Architect: District of Columbia

LEED Accreditation, BD+C

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA)

John Edward Dundin Memorial Prize Best Thesis Presentation, 2004

Foreign Studies Competition Grand Prize, 2003

Magi Foundation Research Grant, 2003

Panelist, McKinsey London Climate Action Week, “Advancing Adaptation: Mapping Costs from Cooling to Coastal Protection,” London, England, 2026

Speaker, Metropolis “Deep Green” Podcast, “How a Big Firm Drives Big Change,” 2026

Speaker, Econyl Academy Webinar, “Beyond the Checklist: How Gensler’s Product Sustainability Standards Shape Better Design Decisions,” Italy, 2026

Panelist, Flooring Sustainability Summit, “Architectural Panel,” U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, 2025

Panelist, Haworth, “Insights into a Circular Future,” Virtual, 2024

Expertise

Climate Action & Sustainability Build to Suit & Adaptive Reuse Build to Suit & Headquarters Cities & Urban Design Strategy