Speakers

Donn is a Principal at Urbahn Architects with over four decades of experience leading the firm’s work in New York City Public Works, Justice, Public Safety, and Behavioral Healthcare sectors. His leadership, commitment to safety and security, and deep expertise in complex municipal infrastructure projects have established him as a trusted authority in the field.

Donn’s portfolio includes over 10,000 correctional housing beds, incorporating best practices in planning and design—such as direct supervision, state-of-the-art security electronics, and program-rich, rehabilitative environments. His work spans adult detention, juvenile and adolescent housing, and hybrid facilities that integrate corrections with medical and behavioral healthcare services.

Donn has dedicated his career to advancing critical NYC public works projects, from municipal infrastructure and emergency response facilities to transformative government buildings that serve the city's diverse communities. Notably, he recently served as Design Principal on the groundbreaking NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Design-Build of the Queens Garage and Community Space, a first-of-its-kind project that represents the future of public works in New York City. His leadership was also instrumental in the $125 million emergency upgrades to multiple detention facilities on Rikers Island, showcasing his ability to mobilize large teams and deliver complex projects under tight deadlines within the unique constraints of New York City construction.

While focused primarily on transforming New York City's built environment Donn’s expertise extends beyond the region, with leadership on public works projects in Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Guyana. His ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and deliver high-quality, impactful public infrastructure has significantly contributed to modernizing NYC's public facilities and improving essential services for New Yorkers.