Carolyn L. Krall, AIA, LEED AP, Retires after 50-Year Career

After an extraordinary career spanning more than 50 years in the design profession, including nearly two decades with Ayers Saint Gross, Architect and Planner Carolyn Krall is retiring. Carolyn’s career is defined not only by the impact of her work on campuses across the country, but also by her resilience, leadership, and unwavering belief in the value of relationships.

Carolyn began her journey in architecture in the early 1970s, entering a profession that looked very different than it does today. At a time when women faced significant barriers in design fields, she forged her own path with determination and a clear sense of purpose. Over the decades, she has contributed to the evolution of a more inclusive and diverse profession. Her perspective has always been grounded in both optimism and pragmatism: a belief in progress, paired with a commitment to keep pushing forward.

Carolyn brought that same mindset to her work at Ayers Saint Gross. From her earliest days contributing to campus master plans at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University, she developed a thoughtful, strategic approach to planning rooted in long-term impact. She became instrumental in expanding the firm’s reach across the southwestern region from Texas to California, where she helped build enduring partnerships with institutions including the University of North Texas, Texas A&M University, and California Polytechnic State University.

She also helped elevate the firm’s national presence through ambitious and complex projects. Her leadership on the xučyun ruwway Graduate Student Housing project at UC Berkeley marked a major milestone for the firm and exemplified the power of integrated planning and design.

Carolyn said she was drawn to Ayers Saint Gross because of the firm’s mission-driven work and commitments to sustainability, equity, and inclusion. She believes strongly in the firm’s leadership in these areas and in the responsibility of future generations to continue advancing them.

Looking back on her career, Carolyn said that the most meaningful aspect of her career was not a single project, but the people. Her deep appreciation for colleagues is especially evident in her connection to the Arizona studio, where she helped cultivate a culture of shared expertise, adaptability, and quiet confidence.

“The great joy of my career has been working with, and encouraging, talented people.” she said. “The Arizona team is uniquely collaborative, creative and nimble, which combined with their depth of experience, is able to rise to the challenges and consistently deliver outstanding projects to campus communities.”

As she retires, Carolyn leaves behind a powerful example for future leaders: invest in relationships, remain open to new opportunities, and never accept limitations placed on what is possible. We are deeply grateful for Carolyn’s many contributions to Ayers Saint Gross, our clients, and the colleagues she has inspired over the years, and we wish her all the best in retirement.