Populous Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Populous has 7 executives leading key functions including operations, regional financial management, global financial strategy, human capital, and legal affairs.

Renowned for designing iconic venues worldwide, Populous delivers transformative architectural solutions that enhance the human experience through innovative design, sustainable practices, and deep industry expertise.

Leadership Roles at Populous

  • Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer APAC - Steve Carlstrom
  • Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer. Americas - Shelly Malyarov
  • Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Senior Principal - Kevin Hagan
  • Chief Operating Officer - Gavin Houldin
  • Chief People Officer - Kristin Gibbar
  • Chief Legal Officer & Senior Principal - Zachary Rudman
  • Chief People Officer (Asia Pacific) - Mark O'Sullivan
  • Steve Carlstrom - Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer APAC

    Steve Carlstrom, the Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer APAC at Populous, manages all financial planning and fiscal oversight for the Asia Pacific region. Overseeing regional capital investments and project budgeting, the Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer APAC ensures financial stability across diverse international markets. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory environments while supporting the expansion of architectural services throughout the region. By implementing robust financial controls, Steve Carlstrom directly impacts the profitability of major venue developments. Carlstrom coordinates with global leadership to align regional fiscal strategies with the broader corporate objectives of the firm. Through meticulous risk assessment and strategic resource management, the Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer APAC secures the financial health of the APAC division, enabling the successful execution of high-profile design projects across the continent.

    Shelly Malyarov - Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer. Americas

    Shelly Malyarov, the Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer. Americas at Populous, governs all financial operations and fiscal strategy within the North and South American markets. Overseeing regional revenue growth and cost management, the Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer. Americas ensures that architectural projects remain financially viable and aligned with corporate goals. This leadership role involves managing complex project portfolios and providing critical financial insights to the executive board. By optimizing regional budget allocations, Shelly Malyarov directly impacts the firm's competitive positioning in the Americas. Malyarov maintains strict oversight of financial reporting and compliance, ensuring transparency across all regional business units. Through strategic financial planning, the Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer. Americas supports the firm's mission to create world-class venues, fostering long-term economic sustainability and growth throughout the entire American operational footprint.

    Kevin Hagan - Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Senior Principal

    Kevin Hagan, the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Senior Principal at Populous, directs the global financial strategy, treasury operations, and capital structure of the firm. Overseeing corporate liquidity and long-term investment planning, the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Senior Principal ensures the financial foundation remains robust for global expansion. This leadership role involves managing relationships with financial institutions and providing comprehensive fiscal oversight to the board. By architecting the firm's global financial policies, Kevin Hagan directly impacts the ability to fund innovative architectural ventures. Hagan coordinates with regional financial leaders to maintain consistency in reporting and fiscal discipline. Through rigorous management of the treasury and corporate assets, the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Senior Principal secures the firm's financial future, enabling the continued delivery of iconic, large-scale architectural projects on a global scale.

    Gavin Houldin - Chief Operating Officer

    Gavin Houldin, the Chief Operating Officer at Populous, directs all internal business processes and global operational workflows. Overseeing the integration of architectural design teams with project management systems, the Chief Operating Officer ensures maximum efficiency across all international design studios. This leadership role involves streamlining resource allocation to support complex stadium and arena projects. By optimizing operational frameworks, Gavin Houldin directly impacts the firm's ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure on time and within budget. Houldin maintains rigorous standards for project delivery, ensuring that every design phase aligns with the overarching mission of creating exceptional public spaces. Through constant monitoring of operational metrics, the Chief Operating Officer drives continuous improvement in project execution, ultimately securing the firm's reputation for excellence in the global construction and architecture market.

    Kristin Gibbar - Chief People Officer

    Kristin Gibbar, the Chief People Officer at Populous, directs all global human capital strategies, talent acquisition, and organizational development initiatives. Overseeing the cultivation of a high-performance culture, the Chief People Officer ensures that the firm attracts and retains top-tier architectural and design talent. This leadership role involves designing comprehensive professional development programs and fostering an inclusive workplace environment. By aligning human resources with the firm's creative mission, Kristin Gibbar directly impacts the quality of design output and employee engagement. Gibbar collaborates with executive leadership to implement workforce planning strategies that support global project demands. Through the promotion of a collaborative and innovative culture, the Chief People Officer drives organizational excellence, ensuring that the firm remains a premier destination for industry professionals dedicated to shaping the future of public assembly spaces.
    Zachary Rudman, the Chief Legal Officer & Senior Principal at Populous, directs all legal affairs, risk management, and corporate governance protocols. Overseeing complex contract negotiations and international regulatory compliance, the Chief Legal Officer & Senior Principal ensures the firm operates within the highest legal and ethical standards. This leadership role involves protecting the firm's intellectual property and mitigating risks associated with large-scale global construction projects. By providing strategic legal counsel, Zachary Rudman directly impacts the firm's ability to navigate intricate international legal landscapes. Rudman coordinates with project teams to ensure all architectural contracts align with corporate risk appetite. Through proactive legal strategy and governance, the Chief Legal Officer & Senior Principal secures the firm's interests, enabling the successful delivery of transformative design projects while maintaining the integrity and reputation of the organization worldwide.

    Mark O'Sullivan - Chief People Officer (Asia Pacific)

    Mark O'Sullivan, the Chief People Officer (Asia Pacific) at Populous, directs all human capital initiatives, talent management, and regional organizational culture within the Asia Pacific market. Overseeing the recruitment of specialized design talent and the implementation of regional training programs, the Chief People Officer (Asia Pacific) ensures that the workforce remains aligned with the firm's high standards for architectural innovation. This leadership role involves managing regional employee relations and fostering a collaborative environment across diverse cultural landscapes. By optimizing talent deployment, Mark O'Sullivan directly impacts the firm's capacity to execute complex projects in the region. O'Sullivan works closely with regional leadership to develop strategies that enhance employee retention and professional growth. Through the cultivation of a high-performing regional team, the Chief People Officer (Asia Pacific) supports the firm's mission to deliver exceptional design solutions throughout the Asia Pacific territory.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Populous Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Populous?
    Populous is led by Steve Carlstrom (Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer APAC), along with executives such as Shelly Malyarov (Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer. Americas) and Kevin Hagan (Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Senior Principal).
    Who is part of Populous’s executive team?
    The executive team of Populous includes leaders such as Steve Carlstrom (Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer APAC), Shelly Malyarov (Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer. Americas), Kevin Hagan (Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Senior Principal) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Populous have?
    Populous has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Populous’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Populous includes roles such as Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer APAC, Senior Principal. Regional Chief Financial Officer. Americas, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer & Senior Principal, Chief Operating Officer, Chief People Officer.