As RDH’s first woman in a technical role, Kathleen Smith has helped shape both the firm’s presence in the Pacific Northwest and the careers of countless colleagues, serving over the years as Managing Principal, Group Lead, mentor, and trusted advisor. Widely respected for her technical expertise and practical approach, Kathleen’s career is a testament to the philosophy that has guided her since her early days in rural Alberta: work hard, keep moving forward, and never let perceived limitations define your ambitions.
What challenges did you face early-on and how has that impacted where you are today?
Being from rural Alberta, my exposure to career paths was limited. Outside the family farming business, I didn’t have many examples of what a professional career could look like. I had to figure out what I wanted to do largely on my own.
As a university student, I realized I needed to learn not only the material, but how to study, tuck in, and work through challenges. That experience taught me a philosophy I’ve carried with me: put your head down, do the work, and keep moving forward. You do the best you can with what you have, and more often than not, that’s enough.
What was it like being a woman in the industry during the early days of your career?
I started out as a ‘jill of all trades’ working as a site coordinator for a GC in new construction. I made calls, set up tradespeople, worked with architects, managed permits, filed RFIs and change orders…you name it. Later I joined a restoration contractor focused on building science work, where I did estimating, project coordination, and worked closely with the superintendent, but I realized I wanted to be in consulting.
My next role was in consulting, but it wasn’t the right fit. On my first day, I was handed a pair of coveralls and big boots, sent to a construction site, and told I’d be testing concrete. I quickly learned that wasn’t the career path I was looking for.
It wasn’t until Dave Ricketts called and asked if I wanted to work for a real consulting firm. I joined his team and eventually found my home at RDH.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t let fears of your own limitations restrict your choice of career path. The sky is the limit, and you’ll likely get further than you think. There are often many ways to achieve a goal. Maybe you’ll never become a rocket scientist, but that doesn’t mean you can’t study the stars.
Tell me about a project that you’re proud of.
The most rewarding projects are the ones where our work improves someone’s situation, like helping a client recover property value, achieve a higher-performing building enclosure, or feel like their home is their home again.
One project that stands out was for College Housing Northwest, called The Amy. The building was only four years old when construction defects began causing water intrusion and structural damage. Multiple attempts had been made to address the issues, but the problems continued to escalate, ultimately leading to major roof and wall failures.
Our team started with a construction defect investigation and stayed involved through mediation, design, and implementation of the repairs. We worked closely with the client throughout the process and ultimately helped restore the building’s performance and value. Most importantly, we helped provide confidence and stability to the people living in the building.
Who has influenced the way you think about your career?
Two people have helped steer me. The first is Warren Knowles. We used to spend long commutes talking through projects and challenges. He had an ability to provide feedback that always felt supportive.
The second is Ariel Levy. Like Warren, he has a way of supporting people that makes them feel capable of taking on the next challenge. That kind of encouragement can have a lasting impact on a career.
And of course, Dave Young has always been a good friend and trusted peer. For over 20 years, we’ve traded ideas and gut checks across our offices.
What has changed about this industry, and what has stayed the same?
What hasn’t changed is fundamental building science. The same principles still apply. What has changed is the technology. Building materials, glazing and curtain wall systems, facade engineering, and digital tools have become more sophisticated. AI will likely create new efficiencies in how we work. Climate and energy performance have become important drivers of design and decision-making.
