We’re excited to introduce one of the newest members of our team. Chris Powers joined Wold’s Brentwood office this autumn as a Healthcare Practice Leader, bringing more than 30 years of experience across architecture, health system operations and owner representation. His deep understanding of the pressures facing today’s healthcare leaders, paired with his strong Nashville relationships, positions him to open doors and shape the next chapter of Wold’s healthcare work across Tennessee and the southern region.
Read on to learn more about Chris’s background and how he will apply his unique perspectives to strengthen healthcare environments as he steps into a leadership role with the firm.
A unique path to healthcare design
Chris was born in Denver, Colorado, and raised in Florence, Alabama. He cultivated an early interest in design through an unexpected combination of high school theater, where he acted and built stage sets, and a small decking and fencing business he ran as a teenager. Later, he applied his interest in design and building to a degree in architecture from Mississippi State University.
Across his career, Chris has worked at firms and healthcare organizations of every size, ranging from a small nine-person architecture practice to a $70B Fortune 50 Healthcare company. Fourteen of his 32 years have been on the owner side, an experience he considers foundational to his understanding and perspective of our business.
“There are many healthcare architects out there with great experience but having spent 14 years as an owner gives me a different lens. I understand what keeps healthcare leaders up at night and having sat in the owner’s seat, I know what these pressures feel like.”
The dual perspective he brings to advance Wold’s healthcare practice
Chris’s time spent as both an architect and healthcare owner affords him firsthand insight into the operational pressures driving decisions for healthcare operators. Staffing shortages, aging facilities, reimbursement challenges and rising construction costs, to name just a few factors, shape how systems plan for the future.
He says, “When good healthcare design is achieved, our work can help people. If a nurse takes fewer steps in a shift or a patient gets care faster, thoughtful design played a role.”
Chris sees a significant opportunity to expand the firm’s healthcare reach across Tennessee and neighboring states by combining Wold’s technical strengths with his established relationships. His goal is to unlock new partnerships and elevate conversations about operationally driven design for high-performing environments that improve patient care.
“My goal is to open doors to clients and projects that we couldn’t previously see or reach. In our business, it’s all about trust, and building trust takes time. We’ve done a great job with current clients, proven by our longstanding relationships, but there is a big market out there that could benefit from a dual perspective that’s been crafted over three decades. I’m most proud of the network of colleagues and friends I’ve built across the country. In Nashville, if someone works in healthcare design and construction, there’s a good chance we’ve collaborated.”
Chris’s 5-9: A glimpse into life outside of work
Outside of work, Chris is a dedicated husband and father. He has been married to his wife, Lena, for 33 years, with whom he has raised four children, 12 dogs, a cat, a turtle and many fish. The family enjoys college sports, NFL and NHL games and slow Sunday drives through the Tennessee countryside.
Hiking, camping and traveling also provide creative fuel, especially visits to national parks and remote outdoor adventure destinations. He summited Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the Rockies, in 2018, has led dozens of multi-week backpacking/ camping trips over the years and admits that if he weren’t a professional architect, he would be a park ranger. His deep appreciation for natural systems is fundamental to his design philosophy.
What Chris is excited about in his new role
Above all, Chris is energized by the team he’ll be leading. “The people here are excellent. The healthcare resume is strong, and their foundation is incredible. Everything we build here starts with the strength of our group.”His vision is clear: shape client relationships, strengthen Wold’s healthcare presence in Tennessee and create environments that enable providers to deliver exceptional care.
To learn more about Chris Powers, his experience and his insights, visit here. Our Focal Point series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the talented team members who bring our work to life.
