“Building Spaces, Empowering Communities, Transforming Futures”

With over 45 years of experience in project management, design, and construction, Adrian Grad has dedicated her career to shaping cultural and nonprofit institutions through visionary leadership, strategic execution, and operational excellence. As an accomplished project management advisor and director of design and construction and facilities operations she has successfully delivered multi-million-dollar projects that serve diverse communities, ensuring every space is thoughtfully designed to reflect the needs of those it serves.

Currently serving as a project management advisor for the NoVo Foundation, Adrian plays a pivotal role in overseeing capital projects aimed at strengthening community development and social services. She leads the selection of design teams, manages budgets, monitors design and construction and ensures each project aligns with the foundation’s mission. From small residential homes to large-scale commercial facilities, her expertise ensures that every project is executed with precision, efficiency, and a deep commitment to social impact.

Prior to NoVo Foundation, Adrian led the design and construction of Understood’s headquarters in New York City, a 15,000-square-foot facility dedicated to supporting individuals with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Her leadership in creating a sensory-friendly and inclusive space reinforced her dedication to designing environments that foster accessibility, comfort, and productivity. This project exemplified her ability to merge thoughtful design with innovative problem-solving to benefit diverse communities.

During her tenure at the Ford Foundation, Adrian served as project manager for the building’s renewal becoming the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice , overseeing a landmark $205 million building renovation and garden atrium that transformed the foundation’s headquarters into a beacon of accessibility and inclusion. She worked closely with leadership to integrate universal design principles, exceed ADA compliance, and ensure workforce diversity. Under her guidance, the project became a model for racial equity and social justice within the construction industry, setting new benchmarks for how organizations can align physical spaces with their core mission and values.

Before joining the Ford Foundation, Adrian was the director of facilities and operations at the International Rescue Committee, where she led global capital projects for headquarters and field offices in New York, Washington D.C., London, Brussels, Geneva, Nairobi, Bangkok, and more than 22 countries. She played a critical role in shaping emergency response infrastructure, ensuring that every IRC facility met operational needs while providing safe and functional spaces for humanitarian aid workers and displaced communities.

Adrian’s influence extends to one of the most historically significant projects in modern history—the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center. As director of design and construction, she led the $250 million development of the museum, overseeing all aspects of design, construction, and exhibition planning. Her work ensured that this landmark institution would stand as a place of remembrance, education, and resilience, reflecting the profound significance of the events it commemorates. Adrian began the planning for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum during her tenure at the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation where she was the project manager leading the competition for the Master Plan of ground zero and selection of the architectural teams. Her contributions have not gone unrecognized; she received a Presidential Citation from The American Institute of Architects for her work on the National September 11 Memorial. Additionally, she was honored with the Chairman’s Award for Federal Achievement in Historic Preservation by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for her efforts post-September 11

Her extensive experience also includes Whitney Museum of American Art, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall.

Whether overseeing high-profile urban development projects or managing the construction of world-renowned cultural institutions, her expertise in strategic planning, risk management, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement has been a driving force behind each project’s success. Beyond her professional achievements, Adrian is a passionate advocate for sustainable design, universal accessibility, and workforce diversity. She has continuously worked to integrate these principles into her projects, ensuring that the built environment is not only aesthetically compelling but also inclusive, efficient, and environmentally responsible. Her leadership in this space has influenced industry standards and inspired organizations to prioritize equitable and sustainable practices.

Her dedication extends beyond professional pursuits; she volunteers as a chef at God’s Love We Deliver and Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. Adrian also served on The Good Dog Foundation’s Board of Directors from 2010 to 2013 while volunteering in the ‘Caring Canine Program’ at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with her English Cocker Spaniel Nigel until 2019.

With a career spanning over four decades, Adrian Grad remains a visionary leader in project management and design, committed to creating spaces that inspire, uplift, and serve communities with purpose. Her impact on the nonprofit and cultural sectors is profound, and her legacy continues to shape the future of inclusive and mission-driven construction.

Character
Adrian is a principled leader, deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and the power of well-designed spaces to transform communities. Her integrity and dedication have earned her the trust of organizations and stakeholders across multiple industries.

Knowledge
With expertise spanning architecture, design, project management, and nonprofit leadership, Adrian brings a wealth of experience to every project, ensuring strategic execution and long-term impact.

Strategic
Adrian excels in aligning physical spaces with organizational missions, ensuring that every project she undertakes enhances community engagement, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

Communication
A skilled communicator, Adrian navigates complex stakeholder relationships with ease, fostering collaboration across leadership teams, donors, government entities, and design professionals.