Redefining Leadership in Design: Cheryl McKissack Daniel to Speak at Harvard

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Inspiring Future Innovators Through a Legacy of Bold Vision and Unmatched Excellence

President & CEO Cheryl McKissack Daniel, the trailblazing force behind McKissack & McKissack, was invited to guest lecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design on Friday, September 25, 2020. Hosted virtually via Zoom, the lecture was part of the Department of Architecture’s course, Innovation in Project Delivery, and welcomed students and faculty from across Harvard’s graduate programs.

As the fifth generation to lead America’s oldest minority- and woman-owned design and construction firm, Cheryl shared insights from her remarkable journey in an industry long dominated by white male leadership. Her talk explored sustainability, innovation, succession planning, and the challenges of leading a legacy firm into the future—all from her deeply personal and professional perspective.

McKissack & McKissack currently employs more than 150 professionals and has led over $50 billion in construction projects over the past decade. Signature achievements under Cheryl’s leadership include Coney Island Hospital, The New Terminal One at JFK, and The Oculus at the World Trade Center.

“Speaking to the next generation of leaders at an institution like Harvard is both a privilege and a responsibility,” Cheryl shared. “Continuing the legacy of my ancestors is how I fulfill my commitment to inspire young minds—especially women of color—to be relentlessly BOLD in building their place in this industry.”

A civil engineer with more than 25 years in design and construction, Cheryl is widely known for her thought leadership on diversity in the built environment. Under her guidance, McKissack ensures that inclusion is not an afterthought but a foundational principle embedded in every phase of their projects.

Harvard Lecturer Mark R. Johnson summed it up: “Cheryl McKissack brings an important perspective to so many of the challenges we face today. Her leadership is both timely and transformative.”