SMMA Appoints Begum Koulbanis to Board of Directors

June 9, 2026

SMMA is pleased to announce the appointment of Begum Koulbanis, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, to the firm’s Board of Directors.

The news was announced by CEO and President Lorraine Finnegan at a recent shareholders’ meeting. Begum’s appointment grows the number of current SMMA board-members to seven.

A native of Turkey, Begum came to Boston University in 1997 as a graduate student in Economics. She joined SMMA in 2000 as a junior accountant, quickly establishing herself as a trusted and capable member of the Accounting team before earning a promotion to department leader in 2008. Working closely with former CFO Geoff Neale, Begum played a key role in implementing the systems, processes, and use of analytics that define the firm’s financial operations today.

“I was inspired by my mother to build a life and career in the United States,” says Begum. “When I was a toddler, she came here as a young visiting professor of dentistry, and carried with her a deep belief in the opportunities this country would offer. My mother encouraged not only me, but many of her students, to pursue their education, careers, and lives here.”

“I am especially proud to be the second board member in SMMA’s history who is not a designer by training. It shows that our firm recognizes the importance of a business perspective as part of a collaborative approach that advances the organization every day.”

Begum is highly regarded as a mentor within the firm, coaching junior staff in financial management, business strategy, and the complexities of operating within an integrated architecture, engineering, and construction environment. She also plays an important role in supporting SMMA’s certification as an ISO 9001 firm, contributing to the systems and processes that uphold quality management across the organization.

“Begum has long played a critical role in strengthening our firm,” says Finnegan. “For over two decades we have benefitted from her thoughtful financial leadership, strategic insight, and an unwavering commitment to our people and our future. Begum’s ability to connect sound business practices with long-term vision has helped position SMMA for ongoing success.”

“This appointment reflects not only her exceptional contributions, but our belief in the value of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of the firm. We are excited to welcome Begum to the Board, and look forward benefitting from the leadership, expertise, and perspective she will undoubtedly bring.”

A Conversation with Begum Koulbanis

To celebrate her appointment to the Board, we sat down with Begum for a quick conversation about her professional journey, achievements, and expectations for the future.

Begum, tell us about your background. What originally brought you to the U.S.?

I’m from Ankara, which is the capital city of Türkiye. I came to America in 1997 as a student, shaped in large part by my mother’s example. I earned a graduate degree from Boston University in the MA in Economics program, then I worked as a financial analyst at MFS Investment Management and Thomson Financial. Then in 2000, I joined SMMA. Shortly after that, I pursued an MBA at Boston College, which deepened my understanding of finance and project-based accounting, and strengthened my organizational and leadership skills.

What interests you in the business and financial side of the A/E/C industry?

I love working alongside creative people—architects, interior designers, and engineers—within a single, integrated environment. Our teams bring such varied perspectives on project finances and business decisions, which in turn brings depth and thoughtful insight to our design work.

Quite a few people have worked at SMMA for more than 20 years—you’ve been here for 26. Why have you stayed?

The reason I’ve stayed so long is the strong firm culture. SMMA fosters an environment that celebrates excellence and encourages growth, where open dialogue and advancement have always been supported.

Another reason is the remarkable people I’ve had the privilege to work alongside. I’ve had the invaluable opportunity to learn from an exceptional mentor, Geoff Neale, our former CFO, who set a standard for leadership that continues to inspire me.

What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for SMMA?

Like many firms in this industry, we are having to navigate an uncertain economic environment. Our clients’ priorities are evolving, and projects are getting more complex. All this requires a more phased approach to projects, which can extend schedules. In general, we are having to become more flexible throughout the planning and design process.

Other challenges include volatile construction costs and increasingly ambitious sustainability goals, which continue to influence project decisions. Our clients are seeking trusted partners who can help them navigate uncertainty and manage costs. Fortunately, SMMA benefits from an integrated approach with multidisciplinary expertise, which helps us provide clients with innovative solutions and a strong focus on long-term value.

Leadership transitions are always an industry challenge, but this has long been a strength for SMMA. We are now in our fourth generation of ownership, thanks to a sustainable transition model that supports continuity while enabling the firm to remain independent.

As a firm, we have many exciting opportunities ahead. We have a strong group of emerging talent that values close collaboration across disciplines while building trusted relationships with clients. Technology has long been a strategic priority for SMMA, and our culture of curiosity and openness to innovation positions us to thoughtfully expand our use of AI in ways that drive efficiency, insight, and long-term value.