Rena M. Klein, FAIA

Rena M. Klein, FAIA
RM Klein Consulting

ph: (206) 898-9740
Contact via email

Rena M. Klein FAIA is principal of RM Klein Consulting, a Seattle-based firm offering strategic planning and management coaching to owners of small design firms. Rena is the author of The Architect’s Guide to Small Firm Management, published by Wiley in 2010. She is a member of the AIA national Advisory Group for the Practice Management Knowledge Community and is executive editor of AIA’s Architects Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th edition, slated for release in 2013.

Rena is also Editorial Director of aecKnowledge, a company that provides credible, distilled, and practical knowledge to design and construction professionals in the form of skillfully produced on-line videos and web-based collaborative tools.

Rena regularly presents seminars and workshops on small firm practice at AIA Conventions and to various AIA Knowledge Communities. Responding to the need for management education among small firm practitioners, she has developed numerous original programs including courses on financial management, business planning and firm development. Her 20 years experience as a small firm owner and her engaging approach to professional education has helped architects nationwide to achieve success in their practices.

Rena has been a lecturer at the University of Washington College of the Built Environment and has been on the faculty at Washington State University’s Interdisciplinary Design Institute, where she taught building codes, ethics, and management in design practice.

She is a Past President of AIA Seattle, served as Chair of the 2005 AIA NW + Pacific Region Conference, and as a member of the 2005 & 2006 AIA National Convention Continuing Education Committee.

Employment:

RM Klein Consulting (2005 – present)
Rena offers management consulting, strategic planning services, and educational programs to architecture and design firms nationwide.

aecKnowledge (2011 – present)
Rena serves as Editorial Director. Responsible include overall strategy, editing of continuing education materials, and outreach to potential partners.

Washington State University (2007 – 2011)
As an adjunct professor, Rena teaches ethics, professional practice, building codes and design studio to students of architecture and design.

American Institute of Architects (2008)
Architects Knowledge Resource (formerly known as AIA Soloso)
As editor for the Practice domain, Rena has written numerous articles on architectural practice management, available on-line at the AIA Architects Knowledge Resource.

Rena Klein, Architect (1985 – 2005)
Rena has 20 years experience as the owner of a small architectural firm in Seattle, WA, specializing in residential remodeling and custom home design.

Education:

Bachelor of Architecture, University of Oregon (1973)
Master of Science in Management, Antioch University Seattle (1996)
AIA Leadership Institute (1998)
Financial Management for Architects, Harvard GSD (2001)

Awards:

AIA/AAF Scholarship for Advanced Research (1995)
AIA College of Fellows (2006)
WSU Spokane Students Choice Award for Faculty Excellence (2011)

Selected Academic Teaching Experience:

Instructor: Ethics and Professional Practice, Department of Architecture, Interdisciplinary Design Institute, Washington State University Spokane (2007 – present)
Instructor: Building Codes and Acoustics, Interior Design Department, Interdisciplinary Design Institute, Washington State University Spokane (2009 – present)
Instructor: Special Practicum: Project Leadership in Design Practice,
Department of Architecture, University of Washington (2002 to present)

Selected Professional Speaking Experience:

2011 AIA National Convention, 90 min. seminar: Going it Alone: Practice as a Solo Practitioner
2010 AIA National Convention, half-day pre-convention workshop: Best Laid Plans: Business Planning for Small Firms
2010 AWA Seattle, 90 min seminar: Labyrinth to the Top: Women Architects and the Path to Firm Leadership
2009 AIA Indianapolis, 90 min seminar: Millennials Working
2009 AIA Northwest + Pacific Region Conference, 90 min seminar: Best Laid Plans: Business Planning for Small Firms
2008 AIA National Convention, half-day pre-convention workshop: Financial Management for Small Firms
2007 AIA CRAN Symposium, 90 min seminar: Best Laid Plans: Business Planning for Small Firms
2006 AIA National Convention, full day pre-convention workshop: Making Chaos Work for You: Keys to Small Firm Practice Management
2005 SDA Western Regional Conference, Seattle, WA, 90 min seminar: Financial Management for Small Architectural Firms
2005 AIA Miami Design Technology Expo, Miami, FL, 90 min seminar: Making Chaos Work for You: Keys to Small Firm Practice Management
2004 AIA New York Continuing Education, New York City, NY, full day workshop: Making Chaos Work for You: Keys to Small Firm Practice Management