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DIG has announced the appointment of Kate Haas and Debbie Koehler to the role of Associate in a move that deepens the firm’s leadership team and reflects its continued growth and empowerment of women. The appointment of Haas and Koehler, who serve as Directors of Interior Design and Marketing, respectively, demonstrates DIG’s commitment to promoting from within.
Driven by an Architecture for Change mission, DIG delivers world-class designs to underserved and under-represented communities in which its projects are located. At DIG, which embraces the diversity of its own talent base, women account for 51% of the staff. The elevation of Haas and Koehler as Associates brings female leadership representation to four at the associate level in addition to Swarupa Samant – the firm’s first woman of color at the principal level.
“During Women’s History Month, it is only appropriate that we celebrate the achievements of Kate and Debbie, who are consistently at the forefront of DIG’s sustained growth trajectory and help make us a stronger, more agile firm,” said Jeffrey Venezia, CEO. “As individuals and accomplished professionals, Kate and Debbie are changemakers who are validating AEC-related career spinoffs as viable, exciting specialty areas with unlimited growth pathways to executive representation.”
Kate Haas, Associate | Director of Interior Design
Haas, who has been with DIG for a total of eight years, has risen through the ranks from Interior Designer to Senior Interior Designer, to being named Director of Interior Design last year. Her areas of specialization include interior architecture design strategy, concept development, programming and space planning, 3D modeling and rendering, detailed construction documentation and finish material and furniture selections.
In addition, Haas directs, manages, and mentors a team of talented interior designers to create innovative, practical and award-winning designs tailored to each client’s specific needs. Rounding out Haas’ extensive skill set is her proficiency in Revit, Autocad, Sketchup and Adobe Creative Suite.
“Because DIG offers me a platform to be innovative with ideas, I’m able to deliver thoughtful, well-rounded designs in collaboration with Architecture and Graphics team members,” said Haas. “By feeding off this DIG energy and the enthusiasm of our clients, I’m inspired to create spaces that are fun and functional, but also timeless, sustainable and practical.”
A graduate of Virginia Tech, Haas has earned the following industry certifications and qualifications: Certified Interior Designer – New Jersey; LEED AP; and National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Additionally, she has volunteered for many years in the bi-annual International Interior Design Association “Fashion Meets Finish” fundraising event, where she has led her team to several award-winning garment honors, including “Best Construction” and “Best Interpretation of Theme.”
Debbie Koehler, Associate | Director of Marketing
Another creative force at DIG – and its chief storyteller – is Koehler, an architecture engineering and construction (AEC) industry veteran who has been spearheading the firm’s marketing and business development initiatives for nearly six years. A University of Lynchburg graduate with a B.A. in Business Management and Spanish, the Clinton, N.J. resident spearheads new client development and strategic partnerships, as well as all related functions that advance DIG’s brand, profile and business strategy.
She has developed a number of award-winning nominations, including the firm’s AIA-NJ “Firm of the Year” award in 2022. She oversees public relations, content marketing and strategic proposal development. Koehler also is credited with being instrumental to DIG’s expansion into Philadelphia a few years ago. The crux of her bold proposition was rooted in knowledge that the city seeks to fulfill at least 35% of all for-profit contracts through M/D/SBE-certified businesses.
“Knowing that the Greater Philadelphia Area is a hub for DIG’s target client base across the healthcare, education, life sciences, senior living and civic sectors, it made perfect sense from a business and geographic-growth perspective,” said Koehler, who noted this proposition gained unanimous consensus from ownership and was put into action with the establishment of DIG’s Philadelphia office in 2019.
According to Koehler, the firm gained traction to quickly land multiple Philadelphia contracts accounting for over 10% of DIG’s revenue to date and growing. Just this past year, DIG also remained the sole architectural firm ranked among the city’s largest Minority-Owned Businesses.
In their new role as Associates, Haas and Koehler will continue overseeing their Interior Design and Marketing Departments, respectively, as well as be involved in firm decision making and strategy.
DIGroupArchitecture is an award-winning, mid-sized architecture, interior design and graphic design firm with studios specializing in various areas of concentration: education, healthcare, senior housing and community-civic. A minority-owned business with a philosophy that everyone deserves great architecture, DIG is currently staffed with approximately 30 professionals and looking to expand our team and to fill the Architect III/Architectural Staff III position.
Desired Qualifications
Compensation & Benefits
Interested candidates please send your cover letter, resume and portfolio to: [email protected].
At DIG, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.Architect III
Barbara graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute’s Architecture program. She has spent over a decade in marketing, where her understanding of architecture uniquely enhances her ability to inform the firm’s proposal development and marketing communication strategies and to position the firm as an industry leader. Barbara leverages the team’s knowledge and expertise into compelling content that reinforces brand identity and builds recognition among our clients and peers.
She handles the rigors of her role with determination and adapts quickly to challenges, which stems from an adventurous spirit. When not fine-tuning workflow efficiencies, Barbara is out and about with her family enjoying the outdoors; from ski slopes to local trails to playgrounds to CrossFit.
Emily graduated with a Business Degree from TCNJ and has worked in the Accounting and Finance departments for software, manufacturing and construction companies. Her professional strengths in accounts receivable, process improvement and account analysis are well suited for the complex nature of architectural project billing.
Emily loves to bake, but don’t ask her to make dinner – cooking is not her forte! Her husband is the family chef, and their two young daughters love to “help” in the kitchen. Some of Emily’s favorite things to do include riding bikes with her older daughter Layla, reading with her younger daughter Evelyn, going out to dinner with her husband and friends, and drinking a cup of coffee in peace and quiet.
Chris A’Hearn comes to DIG with over 20 years of experience in corporate financial management across several industries. Along with a BS in Accounting from Rutgers University’s School of Business and an MBA from Monmouth University, Chris has a keen interest in sustainable building solutions and earned the LEED AP Certification. With his experience in engineering and commercial construction, Chris helps DIG to achieve its financial growth initiatives. He brings his passion for sustainable construction and design to the firm as well as contributing his financial expertise to the DIG team focusing on future success.
Away from the office, Chris and his wife, Anne, stay busy with 2 children. Emily studies at Bucknell University and is interested in life sciences. Andy is a gifted and talented student as well as a competitive YMCA swimmer.
DIGroupArchitecture is an award-winning, mid-sized architecture, interior design and graphic design firm with studios specializing in various areas of concentration: education, healthcare, senior housing and community-civic. A minority-owned business with a philosophy that everyone deserves great architecture, DIG is currently staffed with approximately 30 professionals and looking to expand our team and to fill the Architect I/Architectural Staff I position.
Desired Qualifications
Compensation & Benefits
Interested candidates please send your cover letter, resume and portfolio to: [email protected].
At DIG, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.