Insights
Insights
11.14.15

Danielle Hermann joins OPN leadership as Associate Principal

OPN Architects is pleased to announce the promotion of Danielle Hermann, AIA, to a new leadership role as Associate Principal.

Previously promoted to associate in OPN’s Des Moines office in 2014, Hermann has established herself as a leader in the firm and within the field. An advocate for diversity in the industry. Hermann is a founder and charter member of Iowa Women in Architecture (iaWia), a non-profit education organization to sup-port and promote women involved in the design and construction of the built environment. She is also the founder of AIA Iowa’s Diversity Committee which explores relevant issues within the architectural community and assists in the development of programs and initiatives that foster and sustain cultural breadth and inclusion. She is a secretary for the Iowa chapter of the American Institute of Architects and serves on the “I Have a Dream” Foundation Board.

She has been recognized for her commitment to the industry both by her peers with a Design Achievement Award from Iowa State University’s Alumni Association and the College of Design in 2013 and her community. Hermann was named one of the Des Moines Business Record’s 40 Under 40 in 2012 and received Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards from the City of Des Moines in 2007 and 2011.
In addition to her work at OPN, Hermann has held the position of Lecturer at Iowa State University, teach-ing third-year architecture students. She received both her Bachelors of Architecture in 2001, and Masters of Architecture in 2008, from Iowa State University.

Though her background has afforded her the opportunity to touch a broad range of project types, her work with historic structures and corporate environments stands out. Danielle has been involved in the restora-tions and rehabilitations of some of the Des Moines area’s most significant historic sites, such as the re-naissance of the historic East Village neighborhood, the restoration of the Salisbury House, the Hoyt Sher-man Place Theater, and her work at Terrace Hill, the Iowa Governor’s Mansion. Danielle has also executed a Master Plan for The Principal Financial Group that is transforming its global headquarters, and is currently leading work on the Krause Gateway Center in collaboration with Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

Herman’s promotion at OPN comes at a time of continued growth at OPN Architects.

“It is such an exciting time to be joining this leadership team,” she said. “We are working on projects any firm would be envious to be part of. I couldn’t be more excited to be leading and taking this firm forward.”

Hermann is inspired for this next step in her career both by the caliber of her colleagues at OPN, who challenge themselves each day to earn their reputation as local and regional leaders in sustainable, accessible, knowledge-based and innovative design.

“No day is ever the same,” she said. “I am fortunate to work with great clients and projects in an office with people who are bright, talented and interesting and who all mutually respect each other and have fun coming to work. The evolution and continued opportunity to expand our own horizons and get better at what we do is exciting,” Hermann says.

Hermann, who is originally from West Union, and her husband, Dr. Joseph R. Hermann (’99 animal science, MS ’02 animal nutrition, PhD ’08 vet microbiology), have two daughters: Lily and Claire.

Her promotion is one of four announced in Minneapolis during OPN’s annual staff retreat.James Meiers-Gast and Susan Bowersox have been appointed Associates and Justin Bishop joins Hermann as an Associate Principal on OPN’s core leadership team.