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ON THE MOVE VOCON PROMOTES FOUR TO STUDIO DIRECTOR National architectural and design firm Vocon has announced the promotion of Senior Associates Khyati Shah, Michael Christoff, and Christine Norberg and Associate Wyett Baker to the position of studio directors as part of the firm’s long-term growth strategy. With offices in Cleveland and New York City, Vocon provides architectural and design services for commercial and residential property owners and developers nationally. The firm has led some of the most significant commercial office redevelopments in Manhattan, as well as transformative residential development projects in Cleveland and multiple other markets. The new studio directors, Christoff and Norberg in the Cleveland office, and Shah and Baker in the New York office, will develop and implement a comprehensive growth strategy to identify and target clients and market segments. They will also lead efforts to ensure internal alignment and share best practices and resources to achieve regional initiatives and firmwide goals. “Khyati, Michael, Christine, and Wyett have impressive backgrounds and consistent track records of leadership,” said firm founder Deb Donley. “As studio directors, they will expand their roles to support new clients as the real estate industry advances through a period of rapid evolution.”
“Each of these leaders brings a unique perspective and an incredible depth of expertise,” said Vocon CEO Paul Voinovich. “Their creative energy, technical acumen, and deep understanding of client priorities will be essential as we continue to pursue innovative, design-driven outcomes for clients.” Shah brings nearly two decades of experience working on several award- winning projects. Shah’s background spans multiple market sectors, allowing her to offer a unique perspective on building repositioning, tenant amenities, strategy, and other landlord- and developer-led projects. She has overseen a variety of projects for clients including Hines, RXR, and Global Holdings Management Group. Last year, she was named to the New York Real Estate Journal ’s 2024 Women in Commercial Real Estate list. Since joining Vocon in 2011, Christoff, AIA, has helped shape a wide variety of multifamily, planning, mixed-use, corporate headquarters, and specialty projects. He has nearly two decades of experience, using creativity and vision to achieve clients’ goals on complex projects. He thrives on collaborating with others to turn big ideas into functional, inspiring places that bring value to both clients and communities. Outside of his role at Vocon, he is highly active in the architectural and civic communities. He currently serves on the board of directors for the AIA Cleveland Chapter, co-
founded PechaKucha Night Cleveland and sits on the Cleveland Arts Prize Design Jury. With over 30 years of experience in Corporate Interiors, Norberg is a seasoned leader in workplace design and project delivery. Throughout her career, she has successfully led complex projects for national and global clients such as Sherwin-Williams, KeyBank, Westfield, and Steris, consistently delivering thoughtful, high-performance workplace environments. For the past 22 years, Norberg has been a vital part of Vocon, where she serves as studio director of the Cleveland Workplace Studio. In this role, she leads a multidisciplinary team of interior designers, architects, experiential brand designers, and strategists. Her leadership is defined by a collaborative approach, a commitment to innovation, and a passion for creating inspiring spaces that reflect clients’ values and business goals. Baker began his career at Khan & Poletta Architects in October 1997 before spending 23 years at Gensler as an architect and design manager. He moved to Vocon in 2023, rising from workplace leader to studio director within his first 18 months with the firm. A member of the AIA, Baker has worked on corporate projects for a number of clients, including FanDuel, Sol de Janeiro, Corient, and a variety of confidential financial services and insurance companies.
LOOKING AHEAD. Integrating AI into learning and development isn’t about replacing human ingenuity – it’s about amplifying it. By leveraging AI, AEC firms can inspire their teams, elevate their practices, and significantly contribute to the future of the industry. As we’ve seen in our own firm, investing in AI-driven learning is not just a step forward; it’s a leap toward building a smarter, more adaptive industry. artificial intelligence is emerging as a critical tool in reshaping how firms approach upskilling and workforce development.” “In a field driven by rapid technological advances and evolving client demands,
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reinforces a culture where learning is continuous, informal, and embedded in the flow of work. AI tools enable employees to search knowledge systems with ease, accessing guidance or reference materials exactly when needed. By making knowledge easier to access and apply, AI turns individual expertise into a shared resource that benefits teams across the organization. TRACKING PROGRESS AND MEASURING IMPACT. AI tools excel at tracking learning outcomes and providing actionable insights. These tools can link learning completions to key business outcomes, such as improved QA/QC scores, fewer safety incidents, or higher client satisfaction ratings. Dashboards can highlight not just who completed training, but who improved performance as a result. With this insight, learning and development leaders can identify which resources are most effective, where gaps remain, and how to better align development with firm-wide KPIs and strategic goals.
Caitlin Austin is director of talent performance and development at WSB. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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THE ZWEIG LETTER SEPTEMBER 29, 2025, ISSUE 1603
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