MEET OUR COLLECTIVE
We’re firm believers in the power of diverse perspectives to drive superior results. Our dynamic collective includes experts from an array of backgrounds and disciplines, all active within the design field, and each contributing unique insights and experiences. We curate teams that are tailored for each client, ensuring that we have the right expertise to tackle their specific challenges head-on.
In addition, as true talent advocates, we also seek ways to connect our clients with each other, extending their reach through creative alliances and opportunities, with connections to an extensive range of key collaborators in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, planning, urban design, and more.
Marjanne Pearson
Founder | Director of Strategic Initiatives
Recognized as an industry pioneer, Marjanne has the ability to ask the questions that should be on the strategic agenda of every design firm, focusing on strategies for leadership and organizational success and resiliency. She has built a distinguished practice with a dynamic collective of advisors with diverse backgrounds and perspectives — while work with legendary clients, including emergent practices and regional powerhouses. In addition, she continues to write, teach, and testify in professional programs that include the AIA, Harvard GSD Executive Ed, Kansas State APDesign, Monograph, and SMPS.
+ Spotlight
Katherine Bajor
Talentstar Principal | Talent Connection
Katherine is the consummate diplomat and problem-solver. With diverse experience across creative disciplines — from advertising to design firm management — and with a deep-rooted love of architecture and design, she can imagine problems from other perspectives, applying a deep understanding of talent, collaboration, and accountability.
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Linda Wallack
Talentstar Principal | Founder of TOKO Creative
Linda is known for her big-picture thinking and creative savvy — characteristics that allow her to bring a creative, integrated perspective to advance design practices and the initiatives that support growth and well-being. Linda comes from a history of creating at the intersection of four critical elements — environments, processes, communications, and leadership — essential for organizations to flourish and achieve success and sustainability.
Michelle Wempe
Talentstar Principal Advisor | Founder of zumaooh®
Professor of Practice, Kansas State University APDesign
An award-winning interior designer and Professor of Practice at Kansas State University, Michelle is recognized as a leader in the design community, with real-world knowledge and expertise. She brings a unique viewpoint on issues related to the character and quality of a successful design practice, as well a significant focus on development of next-generation talent.
+ zumaooh®
Mike Plotnick
Founder of Elevate Your Story [aka PlotLines]
As a strategic communicator, Mike helps businesses develop and strengthen relationships with the people, organizations, and causes that shape their success. With hands-on experience in public relations, content marketing, and social engagement, he uses traditional and digital communications to identify, build, and share his clients’ stories with their most-valued communities.
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Darren J. Rizza
Founder of 1550a
Darren is a strategic, visionary and digitally informed leader, leaning on 15+ years of business technology leadership in professional services. His career experience and education place him at the intersection of design thinking, business strategy and operations, digital and information technology, ready to accelerate business leaders and DevOps teams to capture their full potential.
Gail Gabriel
Co-Founder | Emeritus Principal of Talentstar
Gail has made a truly remarkable contribution to the design profession, and to her family and community as well. An early champion of the business of design within the A/E industry, she has been a long-time friend and colleague. Gail retired from the Talentstar practice in 2019, but she is still connected to us in spirit, if not in daily presence.
+ Spotlight
Nancy Egan
Founder of New Voodou | Emeritus Advisor to Talentstar
For more than 30 years, as a pioneering marketing and brand strategist, working with collaborators or independently, Nancy has explored issues of professional practice with an emphasis on identity, image, and brand. Over the last few years, she has been transitioning away from consulting. She says, “I am increasingly focused on telling stories.” And they are wonderful stories, told through the words and images that she creates.