JENNA KNUDSEN
Managing Principal
CO Architects
Jenna Knudsen, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is the youngest-ever managing principal at CO Architects, a firm founded in 1986 in Los Angeles. She is also its first female leader. Early in her career at CO, Knudsen was instrumental in transitioning the firm from Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to Building Information Modeling (BIM).
Throughout her career, Knudsen has championed diversity in architecture. In response to George Floyd’s death, she led CO’s staff in creating a J.E.D.I. (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) program. J.E.D.I. provides a forum to ensure that all voices feel equally involved in and supported at CO’s diverse workplace, particularly during the firm’s temporary transition to remote working. In the highly collaborative architecture profession, a diverse and inclusive environment is vital to creating a sense of belonging and promoting connections among co-workers and on projects.
J.E.D.I. is the most recent initiative Knudsen spearheaded to improve inclusion and minority representation in architecture. In 2010, she co-founded (and still leads) Women of CO, an internal group that holds monthly meetings devoted to mentorship, professional development, and career advancement for the firm’s female employees. The group’s goals include promoting more women to senior positions, expanding staffing roles, and supporting work-life integration and employee well-being.
As a mentor of students, Knudsen helped create CO’s Architecture Discovery program in 2013. This four-week summer internship was initially for female STEAM students from Marymount High School. It has since expanded to include minority students from multiple schools. The program allows students to shadow architects, visit jobsites, and create an end-of-term project with guidance from CO’s staff.
Return to the 2023 Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Awards recap
