Anderson Brulé Architects is pleased to announce that Andrea Helft has joined the firm as the Director of Strategic Planning.
Andrea brings to ABA her deep understanding of strategic planning in healthcare and academic organizations as well as experience across a wide range of new and innovative planning tools and techniques. She is an accomplished leader in complex organizational planning with 20+ years of proven experience in management consulting and the healthcare and higher education markets, assessing industry trends, and developing and executing effective strategic plans.
A skilled facilitator, Andrea excels at building and managing relationships at all levels of an organization while assisting clients throughout the engagement lifecycle – from strategic visioning through planning and business development, implementation planning, evaluation and value realization.
In collaboration with Kate Rivard, our Strategic Planning Service Area Leader, Andrea’s background and skills will enable ABA to engage with our clients much earlier in their strategic processes. She looks to advance the expertise and profile of strategic planning and strategy-informed design within ABA.
With Andrea on board, ABA furthers our position as a trusted partner with our clients in the development of clear linkages between their institutional strategic plans, master plans, service and operational models, and facilities programs and design.
To get to know Andrea more, we asked her a few questions:
How did you get into Strategic Planning?
I’ve always been a big picture, analytical thinker and an extreme extrovert. Strategic planning seemed like a natural fit: a career in which I could leverage my strengths and have a real impact on an organization. But I admit, I also sort of fell into it – the irony that a strategic planner would stumble into a career is not lost on me!
What excites you about this industry, or what motivates you?
I love that strategic planning offers the opportunity for ongoing innovation. Growth through learning is always an option!
What made you want to join ABA?
ABA offered the perfect storm of opportunities: working with one of the people I most admire, an environment supportive of planning innovation and strategic thinking and the prospect of filling a gap in the continuum of strategic planning to implementation. I am most happy when a part of a highly functioning team, am fully engaged and am stretching myself: it was clear to me that all of these conditions would be satisfied at ABA.
What inspires you outside of work?
My family and my community of friends are my greatest source of strength and inspiration.
What else do you want people to know about you?
Little known fact: I grew up skiing in a skiing family and followed in my grandfather’s footsteps as a ski instructor. It is with a heavy heart that I am coming to terms with the fact that my son is…a committed snowboarder.
Learn more about Andrea
In her own words, Andrea writes about her career move to ABA, and the importance of strategic planning: My New Career as a Health Care Strategist within an Architectural Firm: Say What?!
