Upcoming Interview - Sarah Jacobson

Interviewee: Sarah Jacobson

Interviewer: Arpit Malhotra

About the Guest

Sarah Jacobson is an Executive Director at LJC Design & Engineering, part of the integrated design-build platform of Clayco. With over 26 years of experience in architecture and construction, Sarah brings a rare dual perspective shaped by both construction management and design leadership.

A founding member of LJC, Sarah helped scale the firm from a six-person startup to nearly forty professionals within eighteen months! Following LJC’s acquisition by Clayco in 2019, she played a key role in integrating the firm into Clayco’s broader design-build ecosystem. In 2021, she relocated to Los Angeles to establish and lead LJC’s West Coast office before returning to Chicago, where she now serves as Executive Director.

Sarah is a licensed architect in nearly 40 states and has led projects across a wide range of typologies, including high-rise residential, mixed-use developments, hospitality, office towers, civic buildings, academic institutions, and large-scale master plans. Her experience spans the full lifecycle of project delivery, from conceptual design through construction administration, ensuring that design intent aligns with budget, schedule, and constructability.

Her leadership has been recognized nationally, including ENR’s 40 Under 40 and multiple design honors such as ULI and AIA awards. Beyond project work, Sarah is deeply committed to mentorship and expanding diversity within the profession. She actively supports women’s leadership initiatives, creates internship pathways, and partners with MBE and WBE firms to foster inclusive growth in architecture.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan and a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois Chicago.