The small but mighty team at KGL here in the heart of the District of Columbia has a unique and distinct characteristic that makes this firm very special.
What is it, you ask? It’s the fact that a lot of the work we do is grounded in government and public-facing initiatives. Lots of conversations center on public assets and spaces, on the methods the government can employ on behalf of the people or other public dimensions.
And while many other firms put a lot of focus on the private sector clients KGL can easily serve both.
For me, someone who has had a foot in both camps multiple times during the last 20 years, it's refreshing and exciting to be associated with a team that is so comfortable with the public facing side of projects.
In fact, I can say with certainty that the excitement of being engaged in public facing work cannot be replicated and it’s one of the things that’s most rewarding about being a part of the KGL team.
The folks at KGL are conscientious about the ways in which their work impacts the community, local neighborhoods, cities, and regions in a way that most firms could never imagine.
The team at KGL works on bridges, on highways, on buses, streetcars and in downtowns. They help communities define themselves, or reimagine new ways of interacting with residents, and they are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to serve people better.
The prism of seeing opportunities in the public sector is not unique to KGL of course. But it’s a defining characteristic of Karyn, its founder, and that viewpoint has permeated the entire squad.
In years past I have worked for the District government (twice) and the federal government too, while serving as a Congressional staffer. But I’ve also worked for private companies, privately owned utilities and of course firms that specialize in business. Each of those experiences has been rewarding and gratifying, creating new bonds and opening new doors.
At the end of the day, the opportunity to work with private sector facing clients and also working with government clients is really the best of both worlds, because each experience is very different. Breaking down stereotypes, among both private and public sector views, is a big part of storytelling and communicating effectively.
When you anchor your work day in public service, it connects people to others in a way that nothing else can replicate. I know that years ago when I was fortunate enough to work for Mayor Tony Williams, he often mentioned his father – a postal worker, along with his own federal government service that preceded his two terms as mayor.
Serving others through public service is often maligned but at the end of the day there are few other ways to most immediately have an impact on those around you. I’m excited for this new landscape and loving the opportunity to see all the good work that the KGL team can deliver to people.
