Jocelyn Corrigan

Chief Operating Officer

Empire Office

25+ years in the industry

Have you had mentors or advocates who played a key role in your career growth, and how important is mentorship for women entering the field now?

I’ve been fortunate to learn from male mentors who were already in the roles I aspired to, including Empire’s former Chief Operating Officers. Their guidance throughout my career has taught me to lead with confidence, make decisions quickly, and think strategically about growth. At the same time, it showed me the difference it can make when women have visible advocates, which is why I am intentional about mentoring my female-led teams—creating opportunities, supporting their growth, and being the female mentor to them I didn’t always have. 

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in architecture, and who or what influenced you most along the way?

As part of a firm specializing in commercial furniture specification, my path into the industry wasn’t through architecture in the traditional sense, but it has always been deeply connected to it. When I began looking for work after graduation, my artistic mindset naturally drew me to interiors and design. These are spaces where creativity directly shapes how people experience the environment. Furniture lives at the intersection of architecture, interiors, and human behavior, and throughout my career I’ve collaborated with architects and designers to help translate design intent into real, functional spaces. That overlap and ability to see a design vision come to life through scale, layout, and materiality is what drew me to the furniture specification niche of the industry initially and continues to inspire my work today.  

Can you share a project you’re especially proud of and explain what made it meaningful—either professionally or personally?

During COVID, our team took on the challenge of supporting Overmoon, a vacation rental concept, which was outside the realm of our traditional client type. With most of our experience heavily focused on the commercial workplace market at the time, we got creative and adapted to manage all aspects of the specification strategy, from sourcing to installation, staging, and delivery across multiple properties along the East Coast. This experience sparked an interest in applying our expertise to new market sectors, and ultimately resulted in our acquisition of Model Home Interiors which dovetails our hospitality experience with a formal entry into the B2B residential sector.

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far, and how did it shape your professional journey?

There have been many, but I often reflect on Empire’s work entering the co-working world, where furniture is the business, not just a line item. For most companies, square footage and furniture is an additional cost; in co-working spaces, the furniture is part of their revenue flow as they are focused on selling seats and experiences. Partnering with architects, designers, and developers in these spaces challenged us to rethink how we approach scale, standardization, and speed, and it reshaped how I think about client partnerships. It showed me that our role extends far beyond simply supplying furniture—we help create environments that drive success by becoming true partners in helping shape specification from start to finish.

What advice would you give to young women or girls who are considering a career in architecture or the broader AEC industry?

You must possess a genuine interest in space and the people experiencing it to be successful. This industry is ultimately all about understanding how the built environment influences behavior, culture, and connection, and a passion for creating meaningful experiences through space is crucial. 

Additionally, I’d say that you must be willing to do the hands-on work, even when it isn’t glamorous, and allow those experiences to build perspective and credibility. Strong relationships and a willingness to adapt will take you far, and over time, that curiosity and commitment will open doors you may not have expected.

During International Women’s Month, what does recognition like this mean to you, and how can the industry continue to better support and elevate women’s voices year-round?

Recognitions like this one during International Women’s Month highlight the progress women have made while reminding us of the work still ahead. Elevating women’s voices year-round should focus on intentional mentorship, establishing networks, and ensuring women have visibility and responsibility in the decisions that shape the industry.