Kathy Melluish and Gretchen Wagner Named Principals of GWWO
We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Kathy Melluish and Gretchen Wagner to the role of Principal within the firm. They join the firm’s eight current principals to meld the tradition of responsive and evocative design that is the foundation of the firm’s philosophy, with a forward-thinking embrace of innovation and creativity. Their unique knowledge, management styles, and design approach will enhance all aspects of the firm’s expertise and enrich the entire process for both clients and staff.
“Kathy and Gretchen are skilled managers and facilitators, who have proven themselves time and again in their handling of complex projects. The praise they have both received from repeat clients is testament to their commitment to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. We are very much looking forward to how they will help shape the future of the firm.” - Alan Reed, GWWO president.
“I came to GWWO with a strong respect and affinity for the firm’s priorities and aspirations, and that has only deepened over the years. I’m excited to be a part of the leadership team that guides the firm as we continue to grow.” - Kathy Melluish
Kathy Speicher Melluish, AIA, LEED AP joined GWWO in 2011, was promoted to Associate in 2015, Senior Associate in 2020, and was named an Associate Principal in 2024. With more than twenty years of experience to guide her design philosophy, her approach prioritizes the unique stories, values, and goals of each client, resulting in creative and thoughtful solutions that balance reality, function, and inspiration. Her acuity for building strong working relationships has facilitated collaborative and responsive design processes. As a GWWO team leader, Kathy is responsible for the management and mentorship of a talented group of project managers, architects, and architectural staff, undertaking a variety of cultural projects ranging in size and value.
Kathy’s work with GWWO has encompassed a notable range of planning and design projects for both educational and cultural sectors within the region and across the country. She has worked on numerous projects for the Smithsonian Institution, National Park Service, Delaware State Parks, Baltimore City Rec & Parks, as well as private K-12 and higher education institutions. Projects include the new Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park, the new Warehime School of Business at Washington College, Yellowstone Gateway Museum in Livingston, Montana, and the new White Clay Creek Nature Center in New Castle, Delaware.
Kathy is a licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional. She holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Architecture degree, with an interdisciplinary minor in architectural history, from The Pennsylvania State University.
“I am excited to take on this new role as Principal at GWWO. For more than 35 years, the firm has designed facilities that maximize the relationship between the natural and built environment to inspire learning. I look forward to continuing and expanding on that tradition.” - Gretchen Wagner
Gretchen Wagner, AIA, LEED AP BD+C joined GWWO in 2014, was named an Associate in 2016, Senior Associate in 2020, and an Associate Principal in 2024. She draws on more than twenty years of experience to create educational spaces that provide students and educators with a stage upon which to learn and grow. From her earliest days in architecture, she recognized the intrinsic requirement for collaboration between architect, owner, and user at the heart of educational facility design, and has worked to facilitate that throughout every stage of the process. Her deeply connected, authentic, and enduring client partnerships have resulted in a high percentage of projects for repeat clients. As a GWWO team leader, Gretchen adeptly manages multiple project teams as they navigate budget and schedule complexities, while guiding teams to develop and deliver designs that are sustainable, maintainable, and aligned with each client’s curriculum and instructional approach.
Gretchen’s experience includes planning and design projects through all phases of project planning and execution from feasibility studies, to renovations and additions, to the design of entirely new facilities that transform their sites while enhancing their context. She has been responsible for the management of some of GWWO’s largest projects, including the 310,000-SF Severn Run High School and 275,000-SF Crofton High School, as well as current work on the new 315,000-SF Old Mill High School for Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and the 309,000-SF Park View High School in Loudon County, Virginia.
Gretchen is a licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional. She holds a Master of Architecture degree with a focus on historic preservation from the University of Maryland College Park and a Bachelor of Architecture degree with a minor in landscape architecture from Miami University.