LESSONS from LEADERS: Karen Duckett, J.D., R.D.

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Karen I. Duckett founded , one of Atlanta’s most respected architecture, planning and interior design firms in the metro area, Duckett Design Group.   Her company has executed  projects totaling more than $1.8 billion in construction costs creating  3 million square feet of space. 

She was the joint venture partner for the design of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a 1.2 million sq. ft., $1.3 billion project.  Her contract for that project was  the largest awarded to an African American woman owned design firm in the world. 

In addition to blazing trails in her chosen field,  she further enhanced her skills by earning a Juris Doctor of Law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law.  She also holds a Masters in Urban Studies from Yale University/Occidental College and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Ohio University. Her registrations include Designer-Georgia, AIA- Associate, IBD, CCID and IIDA. She is married, the mother of three and a grandmother. 

But beyond all of the accomplishments is the story of a woman who wouldn't give up on her dream career even though she was ahead of her time in her choice of occupations.  This is a story about the type of determination it takes to succeed.