Evan Koester has more than 15 years of experience working within the architecture industry, he leads Operations by Design’s work in business development, firm operations, organizational strategy, and leadership development. He brings a deep understanding of the operational, cultural, and business challenges that shape how design firms grow and perform. He works closely with firm owners and leadership teams to build the structure, systems, and accountability needed to create more efficient, sustainable, and profitable practices.

Throughout his career, Evan has worked across virtually every aspect of architecture firm operations, developing a practical understanding of what it takes to support both the business and the people behind it. His experience has given him a broad perspective on the interconnected nature of staffing, technology, financial performance, project delivery, culture, and leadership - and how decisions in one area can directly affect the others.

Through Operations by Design, Evan advises architecture and design firms on organizational strategy, operational efficiency, leadership development, team structure, technology, business processes, and long-term growth. He specializes in helping firms identify inefficiencies, establish scalable systems, and create clearer roles and expectations within leadership teams. His approach is grounded in the realities of professional practice, with an emphasis on solutions that are practical, measurable, and built to work within the unique culture of each firm.

Evan also brings an extensive network of relationships throughout the architecture and design community. His years of involvement in the industry have allowed him to develop strong connections with firm leaders, architects, consultants, vendors, and other professionals, giving him a broad perspective on emerging practices, industry challenges, and opportunities for collaboration and growth.

At the center of Evan’s approach is the belief that operational efficiency and employee wellbeing should not be competing priorities. He focuses on building lean, high-performing teams and systems that allow firms to improve profitability while creating healthier, more sustainable environments for their employees. By bringing greater clarity, structure, and intentionality to the way firms operate, he helps leadership teams spend less time managing dysfunction and more time leading their businesses.

His work is ultimately focused on helping architecture firms build better businesses - ones that are more efficient, more profitable, and better equipped to support the people and design work that make them successful.