Two of the Washington region’s most influential leaders—architect Diane Hoskins and economic-development visionary Victor Hoskins—share the story of parallel careers that converge around one principle: collaboration compounds impact.

From Chicago’s skyline to the Amazon HQ2 deal, from design constraints to billion-dollar surpluses, the Hoskins demonstrate how empathy, partnership, and systems-level thinking can reshape cities and careers. Their joint mantra—

“Get wisdom, and with all that getting, get understanding.”
—anchors a conversation that’s equal parts master class and love story.

Chapter Markers

Time

Segment

Highlights

00 : 00 – 02 : 20

Introduction

John Coe frames the series and today’s guests.

02 : 21 – 03 : 46

Roots & Creative Upbringing

Diane on Chicago’s architecture and her mother’s artistry.

03 : 47 – 06 : 55

First-Gen Philanthropy

The Hoskins on giving back to education.

07 : 00 – 08 : 33

Dartmouth Decision

Challenge as catalyst for growth.

09 : 11 – 11 : 39

Negotiating Across the Table

MIT-trained empathy in public–private deals.

12 : 01 – 24 : 53

Diane’s Arc: SOM → Olympia & York → Gensler

Mentorship, mega-projects, and a developer’s lens.

24 : 54 – 32 : 28

Transforming DC as Business

CityCenter DC, The Wharf, Union Market → $7.5 B investment.

32 : 41 – 35 : 45

Regionalism & Collaboration

DMV economy beyond borders.

36 : 01 – 39 : 31

Amazon HQ2 – Talent as Currency

Education beats incentives; $1 B talent pipeline.

40 : 16 – 41 : 55

Fairfax Digital Hub

7.5 K companies + 100 universities bridging skills.

42 : 07 – 47 : 20

Design Within Constraints

Amtrak Call Center → innovation through limits.

49 : 43 – 55 : 46

Workplace as Destination

Variety, neurodiversity, and WPI metrics.

57 : 03 – 59 : 53

Community in Buildings

Amenities as connection + shared spaces.

1 : 00 : 15 – 1 : 04 : 36

Cross-Disciplinary Leadership

Co-CEO model and latticework learning...

• (00:00:09) - Icons of D.C. Area Real Estate
• (00:02:56) - Diane and Victor on the Power of Architecture
• (00:07:00) - Goat at Dartmouth
• (00:08:54) - How to navigate complex public-private partnerships
• (00:12:18) - Gensler's Founder and First Woman Partner
• (00:21:03) - Working for Gensler
• (00:24:55) - Deputy Mayor Victor Gray on DC's Transformation
• (00:30:47) - The City of Washington's role in the District's tax revenue
• (00:32:53) - Northern Virginia Regional Executive Discusses Regional Collaboration
• (00:36:01) - How Virginia Secured Amazon's HQ2
• (00:39:52) - What Keeps Tech Giants in Fairfax County?
• (00:41:55) - Developers and Architects: The Connectivity
• (00:49:27) - Gensler on the New Pittsburgh Airport
• (01:00:15) - Gensler on Multidisciplinary Workforces
• (01:08:12) - The Common Area of Modern Buildings
• (01:10:02) - Gensler's one firm, network philosophy
• (01:12:54) - Northern Virginia Tech's Presidential Innovation Advisory Council
• (01:19:48) - How Fairfax County Economic Development Leverages Veterans to Fill Cybersecurity and
• (01:22:40) - Gensler's Commitment to Carbon Reduction
• (01:28:02) - Gensler on its CO2 Action
• (01:29:12) - Design Is Not a Luxury, It's for Everyone Everywhere
• (01:34:19) - Gensler Co-Leaders: Maximizing Time Together
• (01:38:09) - Gensler on Baltimore's Inner
• (01:39:36) - How To Build a Prominent Career With Consistency
• (01:44:38) - How to Lead a Competitive Real Estate Career
• (01:50:50) - Builders: Internships and Fellowship
• (01:55:21) - Does Diversity Enhance Commercial Real Estate Talent Pipeline?
• (01:57:45) - Data Centers: The Challenges
• (02:03:26) - In the Elevator With Neuroarchitecture
• (02:04:25) - "Get Wisdom and With All Your Getting..."
• (02:05:10) - Real Estate Talk: Washington, DC