We’re excited to welcome Madhuri Subramaniam, AIA, LEED AP, as Urban's new Vice President and Aviation Market Director, who will lead the aviation business line and strategic pursuits nationwide. With more than 20 years of experience as a Senior Project Manager and Architect, Madhuri brings passion, expertise, and a vision to advance Urban’s aviation practice to new heights. Get to know Madhuri below.

What inspired you to pursue an aviation career?

“Honestly, it happened almost by accident, though I’ve always been fascinated by aviation. During college, I wanted to focus my thesis on aviation design, but I never had the chance. I went on to design facilities, including schools and museums. Five years later, I was reintroduced to the field and immediately fell in love with it. To me, the transition made perfect sense: whether it’s students, teachers, or passengers, it’s all about helping people navigate spaces and improving their experience. Aviation became the place where my passions for design, systems, and people came together.”

Before a project or task begins, what do you focus on most?

“The most critical thing is understanding the client’s vision. What is the end goal? Once I understand that, I work backward. I start assembling the right subject-matter experts and team members to bring that vision to life. Successful aviation projects come from aligning the client, stakeholders, and the entire project team from the very beginning.”

What excites you most about joining Urban?

“Urban’s size and culture immediately drew me in. It’s a nimble company with substantial experience and big dreams, and that combination is powerful. There’s an incredible legacy here: many team members have been with the firm for two or three decades, which speaks volumes about the strength of the culture and the trust people have in Urban’s mission.

I also felt a tremendous amount of trust from the CEO very early on. He made a compelling case for how I could contribute as a leader and team player, and it’s rare to feel that level of confidence so quickly. I want to stand by his commitment, as well as the commitment of our 350+ employees. This is not a one-person job. It’s about building a department, a team, and partnerships that move the entire company forward.”

What should Urban’s teaming partners and clients know about you?

“Consistency and trust are at the heart of how I work. I want our clients and partners to feel like they have a valued, committed, and engaged partner in Urban. We listen at every phase of the project. Understanding the client’s goals throughout the journey is what creates successful outcomes and leads to long-term relationships, which I consider one of the greatest measures of success.”

Speaking specifically to Urban’s legacy clients, how do you plan to approach things differently?

“Urban has an incredible foundation, and I’m excited to build on it with a newer, even more dynamic team. We’re expanding our capabilities and bringing architecture fully into the fold as a core part of a full-service aviation enterprise.

We’re thinking big. No idea is too small or too ambitious. Our team is energized and ready to explore new opportunities and create impactful, high-quality work. We’re ready to write the next chapter together.”