A highly skilled professional who lives Brooklyn, New York but stems from the beautiful twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Kathleen is partner and part founder at BE Planning and Design Inc., as well as ESF Property Management Inc. BE Planning and Design focuses on design and architectural solutions for building renovations, extensions, certificates of occupancy for both residential and commercial spaces. ESF Property Management ties Kathleen’s architectural experience to another level. Here, the services include home improvement and renovations, commercial restaurants and sidewalk construction. Kathleen has a very busy schedule when it comes to the management of her companies, working with many kinds of people, handling new projects, proposals and negotiations.
Kathleen attended Pratt Institute and received her bachelor’s degree in Architecture, class of 1998. While a student, she received the Pratt Contribution to Students Life Award and was an active leader of the Black Architectural Student Coalition (BASC). After her time at Pratt, she had a very productive career in architectural industry before forming her own companies.
There were many paths to Kathleen's journey, her greatest motivation coming from her parents. She watched her father, a building contractor, build homes in the village where she grew up and trained others to become master builders. Her mom was just as instrumental in supporting Kathleen as she joined the industrial arts program in Trinidad and Tobago as the only girl at the time. That program was responsible for her initial training as it offered woodshop, metal-shop and architectural drafting foundation skills.
With determination always at the forefront, she overcame health and economic setbacks in 2008. Always willing to fight for her place in this world and with her compassion and training Kathleen started a publication, Blacklines of Design Inc. (www.blacklinesdesign.net) an online publication that focuses on contributions of minority architects and designers from a global perspective.
Kathleen is very active outside of her professional life. She loves to travel and serves as a board member at Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, an arts and cultural organization dedicated to supporting the creative, educational and vocational development of youth and families of African descent. Kathleen is an accomplished professional, and seeks to network with other like-minded professionals from around the world. Her business acumen and enthusiasm will continue to ensure her success.
International Alumni Association Member Kathleen M Ettienne can be found on the Association Directory, where she is looking forward to networking with you.
