The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia is proud to be in service of the women leaders and trailblazers from our member companies who embody the strength, vitality, and growth of the Greater Philadelphia region.
This Women’s History Month, we are thrilled to uplift Sherri King Parente, NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED AP, Principal, Senior Regional Practice Leader, HOK. We interviewed Sherri to learn about how her leadership story is rooted in the balance between personal identity, professional evolution, and a deep commitment to community.
How has your identity helped shape you into the leader you are today?
Sherri King Parente NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED AP Principal, Senior Regional Practice Leader, HOK
The most successful leaders can be adaptable in their strategy while keeping a level of routine that does not cause unnecessary distraction.
Over the last few decades, my career in architecture and design has evolved from being a designer to a project manager and to eventually taking on leadership positions. I have adapted the roles in my career to suit not only my strongest skillsets but my personal life. By doing this, I have allowed myself to grow in ways greater than I ever imagined.
I am also a mother to three children under seven, who are in the prime years of needing their parents. My children have shown me that I can have a successful career while being a present parent. Often, my days start at 4am to allow me to take care of them and myself before focusing on work . Keeping a routine, adapting my career and having a mother’s empathy and understanding all shape how I lead my teams.
What impact have you made on your community as a leader that you are most proud of?
My colleague Candace Todd and I created the HOK Futures Student Design Challenge in 2015. We wanted to engage local universities in a meaningful, relevant way. HOK’s Philadelphia studio recently hosted our 10th Annual HOK Futures in February, and I know we are having a positive impact on local architecture and interior design students. This challenge is unique in that we provide the students with “real-world” design challenges, encourage their working in teams, and help them hone their presentation skills, as the finalists present in-person to a curated jury.
What advice would you give to emerging woman leaders in historically male-dominated companies?
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work at three major architecture and design firms in Philadelphia, each of which provided meaningful learning experiences. When I look back at those experiences, I find that aligning my personal values with those of the company and leadership are critical for long term happiness. If I don’t believe in the same founding principles of a company, how will I represent it well?
When interviewing and discussing the culture, I believe it is helpful to understand: What is the tenure of the team? Are internal candidates considered first for leadership roles? Does the organization identify potential leaders and nurture their development? Do women have a space on their leadership/board? In addition to an interview/selection committee, often representative of who you will report to, ask if you can meet some peers in the organization.
Who were/are some of the women role models in your life that helped you grow in your personal life and professional career?
I was raised in an environment that truly fostered the idea of growth, however I imagined. I’ve always drawn inspiration from my grandmother, whom I appreciated even more as I got older. She graduated with a college degree in Education in 1936, something very unusual for the time (less than 10%.) As a child, I thought this level of education for women was the norm. Looking back at my formative years, I realize that having my grandmother as a role model in my daily life provided proof that women truly can do anything.
