The New York office of global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will announced today the addition of two leaders to its acclaimed workplace practice: Meena Krenek and Jennifer Graham.

Meena Krenek, IIDA, LEED AP, is an associate principal and interior designer with experience creating workplaces for Fortune 500 companies and other high-profile institutions. Jennifer Graham, IIDA, Associate AIA, LEED AP, is a senior project manager whose clients have included legal and financial institutions, media companies, healthcare groups, and government agencies.

“This new generation of interdisciplinary designers represents the future of Perkins+Will’s workplace practice and our commitment to excellence,” says Rachel Casanova, LEED AP ID+C, director of workplace for Perkins+Will’s New York office. “These two inspirational and highly qualified women share our passion for design innovation, from the initial strategic and schematic phases through the challenges of real-world construction delivery.”

Krenek comes to New York from the Atlanta office of Perkins+Will, where she spent 10 years earning global recognition for her work on transformational branded interiors projects. These include the U.S. corporate headquarters for AutoTrader Group, Newell Rubbermaid, and The Weather Channel, as well as office renovations for WME | IMG Media, Colliers International, and McKinsey & Company.

“The best workplaces inspire people by creating an emotional connection to the client’s larger mission and their brand’s message to the world,” says Krenek. “Our firm has led the industry’s understanding that design influences the user’s health, energy, and satisfaction—and nothing is more invigorating than a client who is aware of the relationship between space and business success.”

Graham, who holds degrees in both design and business administration, has 25 years of experience and is highly regarded for her organizational leadership skills and an enthusiasm for community-focused projects. She is working with the New York office’s Social Responsibility Initiative on various pro-bono assignments as part of Perkins+Will's commitment to the 1% Solution, and is also the founder of LMNOP NYC Inc., a training, mentoring and networking group for the architecture and design community.

“Project management is essential to our multi-billion dollar industry, where new technologies and delivery advances must be paired with inspired, collaborative team approaches,” says Graham. “New prospects for improving human experience and opportunity are possible when we approach client challenges with inclusivity and accessibility in mind.”

Krenek and Graham join a well-established workplace team at the New York office of Perkins+Will, which is led by Casanova, John Sadlon, and Joan Blumenfeld.

“Meena has shown how design can be more than a career and is instead a full-time lifestyle and mindset, and Jennifer demonstrates every day how precision in project delivery is key,” Blumenfeld says. “Both women value inclusivity, authentic interpersonal connections, and the importance of mentoring junior talent.”

Sadlon, managing principal of Perkins+Will’s New York workplace group, agrees: “Meena and Jennifer approach every challenge with the perfect dose of curiosity, creativity, strategy, and analytical discipline. They’re a tremendous asset to both our team and our clients.”