Building With Purpose: Chad Cousins on Scaling Culture, Vision, and Impact

SUMMARY:

In this kickoff episode of Built With Purpose, host Chris Fay sits down with Chad Cousins, CEO of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, to explore how purposeful leadership can transform an organization from a respected regional firm into a high-impact, growth-oriented platform. Chad shares his unconventional path from the tech and consulting world to leading a design firm, the strategic decisions that fueled their reinvention, and how a deeply rooted sense of purpose continues to guide their vision. From servant leadership and culture-building to scaling through reinvestment and strategic partnerships, this episode offers a masterclass in leading with intention while building teams, companies, and communities that last.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Purpose is the foundation for sustainable growth and team alignment.
• Transitioning from a founder-led to a scalable firm requires trust, structure, and vision.
• Reinvestment in people and systems is key to long-term enterprise value.
• Culture must evolve without being diluted—communication is the glue.
• Growth is not just about revenue, but about opportunity, innovation, and impact.
• A “puppy with big paws” mindset keeps organizations agile and ambitious.