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New Helix Promotion

We are pleased to announce Kate Hulsen, Helix’s director of marketing and business development, was recently elevated to principal. In her role, she leads the execution and oversight of all marketing and business development initiatives across the firm’s core markets.

Over the course of her career, she has worked exclusively for architectural firms, cultivating a deep understanding of the profession and Kansas City. Since joining Helix in 2015, Kate has become a valuable asset to the team. Her drive and extensive knowledge of the local business community have helped our firm secure highly competitive pursuits, such as the Kansas City Art Institute student housing project, DEG Headquarters and Missouri State Hill Hall renovation.

Kate graduated from the Kansas City’s Chamber of Commerce Centurion’s Leadership Program in 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Public Administration from the University of Missouri – Columbia.

We asked her a few questions to help you get to know her a bit more.

What led you to a career in architecture?

I have been around the architecture industry my whole life – my dad is an architect in St. Louis. He owns a small firm there where I worked in various capacities for as long as I can remember. I did everything from collating specs as a small child (back before printers could do that for you – when each page was individually typed and photocopied!) to answering phones in high school and eventually, handling accounting systems when I was in college. Although I studied marketing in college, I love working around all of the creative personalities that exist in a design firm.

What brought you to Helix?

I have a deep love of old, historic buildings. As long as I’ve been in Kansas City, I’ve known about the work that Helix does revitalizing them. It is one of the things that drew me to the position here. It is really incredible to see new life brought into old, neglected structures. Getting to learn the stories behind these buildings and watch the transformation from design through construction is pretty incredible. I also really value the firm’s commitment to only do work that has a positive impact on the community, as well as the extensive community involvement of the firm and firm leaders.

What do you love most about your job?

Getting a behind the scenes look at projects that are transforming our city. Since the majority of Helix’s work is in Kansas City, I get to see the impact our projects have all around us.

Do you have any hobbies?

I love to travel. My husband and I have been working our way through the National Parks since we met. We are taking our little one on a road-trip through Germany and Austria this spring – fingers crossed we survive the international flight with a one year old!

What is a guilty pleasure of yours?

Betty Rae’s s’mores ice cream

Congratulations Kate!