Jenna M. McKnight is the digital editor at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of the world’s largest and most respected architecture firms. Founded in 1936, SOM has an extensive portfolio featuring such icons as the Sears (Willis) Tower, Lever House, Burj Khalifa, and One World Trade Center. Jenna joined the company in May 2013.
She formerly was the editor in chief at Architizer, the leading digital platform for architects, designers, and design enthusiasts. The NYC-based company offers a full-service website with editorial and user-generated content; a popular iPad app; design competitions; a global awards program; and deep engagement in social media. Jenna oversaw all content and managed a growing team of employees and contributors.
Prior to coming to Architizer, Jenna was the news director for the nation’s oldest architecture magazine, Architectural Record, published by McGraw-Hill and established in 1891. She oversaw all news coverage and produced feature stories about cutting-edge buildings worldwide. In addition, she was a key contributor to digital and social media initiatives. In earlier roles at the company, Jenna served as web editor of Architectural Record and GreenSource and managed Engineering News-Record’s monthly international editions.
Jenna began working at McGraw-Hill in 2007 after earning a master’s degree in arts journalism, with a focus on architecture and design, from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Leading up to her graduate studies, she was a newspaper reporter and editor in Indiana and New Jersey. She earned a BS degree in journalism from Northern Arizona University in 2000.
Over the years, Jenna has garnered numerous accolades, including the 2009 Associated Press/Robert R. Eunson Award for distinguished journalism achievement and a 2010 Neal Award for a multimedia package about the recession’s impact on architects. Moreover, she has held various leadership positions and participated in speaking engagements and industry events.
Jenna’s work takes her around the world, from reporting on reconstruction efforts in Haiti to covering sustainable design in Europe. One of her growing areas of focus is the role of architecture in addressing social and environmental problems.
