Kristen DelGandio Promoted to Partner at Wilmot Sanz

Celebrating a Career of Purpose, Leadership, and Design Excellence

Wilmot Sanz is proud to announce that Kristen DelGandio, CHID, NCIDQ, IIDA, has been named a Partner in the firm. This significant milestone recognizes Kristen’s exceptional contributions to our practice and the healthcare design industry at large—and marks an exciting new chapter in her already remarkable career.

A dynamic, driven, and deeply respected leader, Kristen brings a rare blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and empathy to every role she plays—from Design Director and mentor to business operations leader and client partner. Her promotion reflects not only her outstanding accomplishments to date, but also our collective confidence in the vision and values she brings to the future of Wilmot Sanz.

“Kristen’s influence can be seen in the quality of our designs, the strength of our client relationships, and the culture of collaboration she fosters every day,” said the firm’s leadership team. “She leads by example—with clarity, compassion, and purpose.”

A Trusted Leader in Healthcare Design

As Design Director, Kristen leads a talented, multidisciplinary team that works at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Her portfolio spans a wide range of projects—from specialty outpatient centers to complex academic medical campuses—each shaped by her unwavering commitment to evidence-based, human-centered design.

Kristen has served as lead designer on transformative projects for some of the nation’s most respected healthcare institutions, including:

• Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital Expansion – A major campus transformation that supports surgical, emergency, and inpatient services while enhancing patient experience and operational flow.
• Inova Schar Cancer Institute – A flagship facility offering personalized, genomic-based cancer treatment in a space that blends clinical precision with architectural compassion.
• Johns Hopkins Skip Viragh Outpatient Cancer Building – A state-of-the-art outpatient oncology center designed to deliver seamless, multidisciplinary care in a warm and welcoming environment.

Kristen’s work is distinguished by thoughtful material palettes, efficient clinical adjacencies, and meaningful moments of respite that reflect a deep understanding of the patient, family, and caregiver journey.

A Homegrown Career Built on Dedication

Kristen’s story is also a testament to the value of mentorship, perseverance, and passion for purpose-driven work. She first joined Wilmot Sanz more than 25 years ago as a high school intern, and since then, has built her entire professional career with the firm.

A graduate of Radford University, Kristen has grown from an aspiring designer to one of the firm’s most influential voices—shaping not just projects, but also internal initiatives related to studio culture, professional development, and strategic growth. Her impact extends beyond the design studio and into the core of how we operate and evolve as a practice.

Investing in the Profession and the Community

A Certified Healthcare Interior Designer (CHID) and active member of IIDA and Women in Healthcare, Kristen is widely regarded as a thought leader within the national healthcare design community. She is a frequent speaker, panelist, and mentor—passionate about advancing the role of interior architecture in improving patient outcomes and elevating the healthcare experience.

Kristen also plays a key role in mentoring emerging professionals at Wilmot Sanz, fostering an environment where young designers feel supported, challenged, and inspired. Her dedication to equity, inclusion, and professional growth makes her an invaluable resource for the next generation of design leaders.

Kristen’s promotion to Partner is a well-earned recognition of her past accomplishments—and a celebration of all the ways she will help guide Wilmot Sanz into the future. With her at the helm of design leadership, we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what healthcare environments can achieve.