Mead & Hunt is proud to announce Laurie Whitney as our new Architecture & Building Engineering (ABE) Group Leader. With 11 years at Mead & Hunt and nearly three decades of experience in architecture, Laurie brings diversified market expertise, a passion for developing people and capabilities, and a vision to transform the world through inspiring, innovative design.
“Laurie is a strategic thinker, and she believes when we invest in people, great results follow,” says Amy Squitieri, Chief Executive Officer. “She’s expanded our design and technology capabilities and built a reputation for delivering on ambitious goals. The ABE group’s future is in excellent hands.”
As Group Leader, Laurie will focus on evolving a forward-thinking, client-focused team that blends creativity with technical excellence. She is committed to empowering teams and future leaders, fostering innovation, and positioning Mead & Hunt as a trusted partner in shaping communities. Her deep knowledge of our internal and external operations and markets has also positioned her to play a key role in driving Mead & Hunt’s future-readiness initiative, guiding groups to unify processes, implement centralized systems, and support employees through change management.
Before joining Mead & Hunt in 2014, Laurie built her career across a range of markets—healthcare, education, military facilities, residential, and retail—giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on architectural practice. That breadth of experience, combined with her background as a former firm owner, positioned her for rapid growth at Mead & Hunt, working with public and private clients to successfully build their military, education, research, and aviation facilities. She initially joined Mead & Hunt as a project manager, became department manager for aviation facilities within a year, and was selected as architectural business unit leader for the eastern region soon after. She has helped shape the strategic direction of the architectural and design team, prioritizing client service, collaboration, and professional development. Under her leadership, she tripled the team’s size and revenue, which went from delivering $20 million terminals to $200 million-plus projects, a strong testament to her ability to develop talent and expand the firm’s capabilities.
“Since I was young, I’ve been drawn to the beauty of architecture and the built environment. I believe I was meant to create and give back, and Mead & Hunt’s values of putting people first and doing the right thing align perfectly with that purpose,” Laurie shares. “Today, what drives me is understanding what a client wants and developing that into a space that meets their needs while bringing joy and inspiration. Our buildings are not just about architecture. We have engineers, interior architects and designers, and technology experts working collaboratively to create compelling spaces. This is an exciting time to be part of this dynamic group, as we embrace emerging technologies, expand into new markets, and strengthen our people-first focus.”
Beyond Mead & Hunt, Laurie is an active leader in the architecture and engineering community. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Society of American Military Engineers, where she recently chaired the National Architectural Practice Committee—bringing together architects across the country to advance military facility design through awards programs, publications, and research. Locally, Laurie translates this leadership into action by serving on the Madison College Architecture Advisory Board, inspiring the next generation of AEC professionals through the ACE Mentor Program, and rallying volunteers for Habitat for Humanity to build homes for Madison families.
