ADVANCED FOUNDATIONS Program
Build on your FOUNDATIONS knowledge by honing the soft skills practiced by effective firm leaders.
Registration is now open for the Spring ‘25 Cohort! (20% EARLY BIRD discount through 1/31)
Advanced FOUNDATIONS incorporates core leadership, management, communication, and decision-making skills.
Emerging Leaders will tie professional goals to organizational goals and ultimately identify growth opportunities.
CVG’s Advanced FOUNDATIONS builds upon the groundwork laid in our FOUNDATIONS program. Using the same virtual, expert-led platform as FOUNDATIONS, the advanced program is designed for architecture and related design professionals moving into firm leadership roles.
Led by CVG’s Sun Joo Kim, we’ve developed a best practice-based program that establishes the competencies, skills, and responsibilities critical to being an effective firm leader. CVG’s program content and structure are grounded in our work with clients and their teams, timely and applied research, and the coaching relationships we build to successfully develop individual accountability and growth.
"Sun’s trainings have been a big component in growing the role and voice of our ‘Emerging Leaders’ here at HKP. Her attentiveness to hearing about our process and struggles, in-depth knowledge of the profession, and thorough feedback have really allowed our team to have a third party sounding board. This process has helped light a spark in our team as we strive for continual improvement.”
Austin Miles, Associate AIA
HKP Architects
Together, we’ll explore the three pillars of leadership:
Leading Self
Prioritization
Time Management
Leadership Style
Leading Others
Delegation
Feedback
Communication
Leading Business
Strategy and Goal Setting
Culture
Each module incorporates core leadership, management, communication, and decision making skills. CVG’s Leadership Development Program builds the confidence needed when preparing for a leadership role, and the understanding of new responsibilities and expectations. Participants will expand their own abilities to contribute to their firm’s growth in sustainable and meaningful ways.
Twelve weeks of educational group sessions, practice, and 1:1 coaching
The program session begins with a StrengthsFinder Assessment and Leadership Style report.
Our 12-week program combines educational group sessions, integrated time for reflection and practice, and individual coaching. The balanced structure of social learning, habit building, and personalized support helps transform learned skills into lasting leadership practice.
Monthly 1-hour educational group sessions explore the learning modules and encourage building relationships with other leaders to examine insights and how they can be applied. Each participant also receives monthly 1:1 coaching that provides personalized support to help participants progress towards their specific goals. Participants are encouraged to use the time between group sessions and individual coaching to put their learning into practice.
Learn from peers across the country
As part of the Program, CVG’s team of experts monitors and facilitates topical discussions in a private Slack channel where participants can ask questions and continue to share knowledge.
Spring ‘25
Advanced FOUNDATIONS Schedule
February 28th
Enrollment Deadline
March 6th - 11:30 AM-1:00 PM PST
Meeting 1: Leading Self
Week of March 10th
1:1 Coaching Sessions
April 3rd - 11:30 AM-1:00 PM PST
Meeting 2: Leading Others
Week of April 7th
1:1 Coaching Sessions
May 1st - 11:30 AM-1:00 PM PST
Meeting 3: Leading Business
Week of May 5th
1:1 Coaching Sessions
Take advantage of our one-time beta program discount!
Completion of CVG’s Foundations program is a prerequisite for enrolling in Advanced FOUNDATIONS. Please contact us directly to discuss exceptions.
Regularly $1,800 - 20% Off Spring ‘25 Advanced FOUNDATIONS cohort through January 31st
Advanced FOUNDATIONS Winter ‘25 price: $1,440
Meet Your Content Expert
"Sun's guidance has been the beacon of light in my professional journey. With her unwavering honesty, insightful direction, and unparalleled expertise, she has not only helped me navigate challenges but also illuminated pathways for our firm’s success. Her presence is a testament to the indispensable value of a true mentor in business leadership."
Miki Hirai, Studio Director
Winder Gibson Architects
Sun Joo Kim
Sun brings over twenty years of experience in architectural practice to her Senior Management Consultant role at CVG, where she focuses on helping firm owners improve financial and operational aspects of their businesses. With a passion for coaching and developing teams, Sun supports clear communication and building trust. She has led teams and studios in both private and public realms including the Smithsonian Institution, Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, and the State of Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality. Her most recent civic engagement is directing a pro bono project for a women's and children's day shelter in Portland, Oregon.
As a published author and contributor to books, magazines, and news blogs, Sun Joo is adept at communicating complex ideas and goals to diverse groups. She enjoys facilitating conversations to reach shared understanding and is often invited as a moderator and speaker for workplace and diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.
An active advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sun Joo co-founded Diversity in Design, a professional resource group for designers of color. She has led and championed DEI committees and task forces for organizations such as the Urban Land Institute and the CREW Network. Sun Joo holds a Bachelor of Architecture with an Additional Major in Social History from Carnegie Mellon University. She is based in Portland, Oregon.