Jesse Klimitz
Title: Director, Business Development & Human Space
Organization: BDP Quadrangle
Location: Toronto, Canada
Jesse has over 13+ years of professional experience in architectural and design practice. Jesse focuses on balancing architecture with inclusive design practices as the Director of Human Space, BDP Quadrangle’s design consulting branch that focuses on inclusion, wellness and equity in the built environment. Jesse’s range of human-centered project experience includes overseeing large accessibility and inclusion assessments for large corporations and campuses of over multi-million square feet, municipal guideline development, participatory research projects, innovative concept studies and inclusive design consultation for major sport venues and large institutional projects from concept through to completion. This interest and expertise has led Jesse to oversee the creation of Human Space, championing its strategic growth, operations, client service and promotion of thought leadership through writing and public speaking.
Concurrently, Jesse is also the Director of Business Development at BDP Quadrangle, one of Canada’s most dynamic architecture and design firms. He brings his passion and expertise for business development, firm management and strategic initiatives to BDP Quadrangle, while leading an in-house team of marketing, design and communications professionals. He is the firm’s go-to for business strategy, collaborating with senior practice leaders in steering the future growth and direction of the firm. In 2020, Jesse built and launched the Wellness Ready offering, a Covid-19 pandemic response program, designed to help organizations successfully plan for reopening and realize the necessary shifts to create healthy environments. As a trained architect, Jesse has also led project teams through various predesign, schematic design, design development phases, including municipal approval and permit submissions for mixed-use, commercial, and multi-unit residential projects.
Creativity and leadership come naturally to Jesse. He has spearheaded original thought leadership initiatives, innovative concept design projects, digital marketing strategies, social media campaigns and project pursuits, all while establishing meaningful and long-lasting connections with others. Jesse has built and executed a firm wide business development training program and realized an inclusive social network of over 400+ emerging leaders in various client and collaborator industries. Jesse has influenced change, creating a positive lasting legacy for client relationships and a thriving human-centered design consulting practice. These commitments and hard work have received recognition through his professional growth to senior associate in 2015 and to a director level position in 2018. Most recently, Jesse was awarded the 2020 Emerging Leaders Award – Leadership Category, by Construction Canada, a national awards program recognizing those who demonstrate excellence, impress and inspire others in the AEC community.
Outside of the firm, Jesse is actively involved in the architecture, design and development industry, through volunteering in industry committees such as ULI Connect, NAIOP Developing Leaders and UJA Real Estate. This past year, Jesse has also volunteered as a health design advisor at George Brown College’s Institute without Boundaries, furthering new housing models and environments to help people live and age-in-place. Jesse is a member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and is a licensed Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). Through building a successful public speaking platform, Jesse has spread awareness, mentorship, and education for others in design professions and client industries on the importance of accessibility, wellness and inclusive design within the built environment.