Lena Kitson, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP

Lena is a Principal in Gensler’s Chicago office. A collaborative leader and committed mentor, she works closely with multi-disciplinary teams to guide decision-making, streamline workflows, and maintain momentum from concept through completion. Lena applies a structured yet flexible approach to process, strategy, and delivery that is tailored to clients’ needs. Grounded in a strong understanding of client priorities, she translates vision into actionable plans that support successful project execution. Her advocacy for both clients and teams has contributed to numerous successful and award-winning projects for Edelman, BP, Chicago Trading Company, the University of Chicago, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

In addition to her project leadership, Lena is an active member of Gensler’s Global Inclusion Committee, contributing to initiatives that advance equity and inclusion across the firm and our clients. At the regional level, she also focuses on strengthening operational excellence, aligning talent, and supporting the strategic performance of the region’s studios.

Lena holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Sciences of Interior Design from the University of Nebraska, where she received a Distinguished Professional Award. She is an active member of IIDA and International Women's Forum.