Carolyn Blake, IIDA, LEED AP, EDAC, has been named office leader of Gresham Smith’s Jacksonville, Florida office. Blake takes on this new role while former office leader Rick Bouchereau continues to focus on leading the firm’s healthcare studio in Jacksonville.
As office leader, Blake will guide strategic initiatives across market sectors, support the Jacksonville team’s growth, and strengthen connections among clients, staff, and the community. She will foster a collaborative, inclusive studio culture rooted in Gresham Smith’s core values, with a focus on design excellence, professional development, and client engagement. Leading the team that supports the Healthcare, Industrial, Life and Work Places, and Transportation markets, Blake will also drive cross-market collaboration, expand regional business—particularly with healthcare clients in North Florida and South Georgia—and actively engage with the local design community.
A passionate mentor and advocate for inclusive design, Blake is known for creating healthcare spaces that prioritize dignity and operational efficiency. With more than 20 years of experience and a leadership role spanning a market of nearly 200 people, she brings both regional insight and a broad systems-level perspective. She is also a recognized thought leader, having presented at NeoCon and the Healthcare Design Conference, and contributed to Healthcare Design Magazine, Medical Construction & Design, Becker’s Hospital Review and Building Design + Construction.
Blake joined Gresham Smith in 2005 and has served on the firm’s Board of Directors since 2023, championing culture and design at a strategic level.
“Carolyn’s technical knowledge, empathetic leadership, and ability to connect vision to action make her an ideal leader for our Jacksonville office,” said Rodney Chester, CEO and Board Chair of Gresham Smith. “She brings a passion for design with purpose and people at the center, which aligns perfectly with our firm’s mission.”
Blake holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Science in Interior Design from Florida State University.
