Populous Promotes Company Veteran Bruce Miller to CEO

Posted February 14, 2025

Kansas City-based Populous has named Populous the firm’s next chief executive officer and global chair.

With more than 35 years of experience working at Populous, Miller will transition from his current role as managing director of the Americas region to the new global chair and CEO, according to a release Wednesday.

“These are exciting times for Populous, and I am proud to take on the role of Global CEO and Chair,” Miller said in the release. “Our commitment to design excellence and innovation is at the heart of everything we do, empowering our designers and project teams around the world to deliver unique and visionary solutions for our clients globally.”

Miller succeeds Earl Santee, the current chair and CEO and co-founder of the architectural firm. Santee will step down and take on his next role as executive chairman and will remain on the Board.

Earl Santee will step down from the role as Global Chair and CEO and will transition to Executive Chairman. Photo credit: Populous.

“Having been Managing Director of our Americas region since 2019, he [Miller] has overseen consistent growth, expanding the range of services we offer to clients in a period where the practice grew to 11 offices across the US and Canada,” Santee said in the release.

The strategic organization will take effect on March 31. In addition to Miller’s promotion, Populous announced several other leadership changes within the firm that will also take effect come March 31.

Christopher Lee will assume new roles as vice chair of the Board of Directors and global head of design but will also remain the managing director of the EMEA region.

Jonathan Mallie, who has led the New York office since 2015, becomes managing director of the Americas region, previously held by Miller. Mallie will continue to serve as a Global Director of the Global Holdings Board and design lead on key projects.

Richard Breslin continues to lead the APAC region, from co-managing director to APAC managing director. He joins the Board of Directors and will continue to serve as a Global Director of the Global Holdings Board.

Paul Henry, former co-managing director of the APAC region, will step down from co-managing director and will remain a key member of the APAC leadership team and Global Holdings Board.

Headquartered in Kansas City, Populous employs 1,500 people across 31 offices globally. The company employs around 325 full-time employees in Kansas City.