EP106: THE LONG HANDOFF Leadership Lessons from Moody Nolan's Decade of Transition

Jonathan Moody, CEO of Moody Nolan—recognized by Fast Company as one of the world's most innovative architecture firms—reveals the decade-long succession journey that positioned him to lead just before the pandemic struck.

"More time is better," Jonathan reflects on the gradual handoff from his father—a process filled with strategic "sink or swim" moments and culminating in a smooth transition of power in January 2020. His insights on building an executive team, establishing trust through transparent communication, and maintaining the firm's "diverse by design" philosophy provide a blueprint for sustainable leadership transition.

For family businesses and organizations planning succession, Jonathan's humble approach offers practical wisdom on preserving company values while evolving the leadership model—proving that deliberate, patient transitions build the strongest foundations for navigating uncertainty.

ABOUT JONATHAN MOODY:

Driven by a passion to continue his father’s legacy, Jonathan D. Moody has entrenched himself in firm leadership, driving growth and innovation. Moody Nolan has grown to over 350 employees and 12 offices across the nation. The firm’s designs have now won over 300 design citations, including 47 from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and 44 from the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Jonathan has helped continue and extend the firm’s position as the largest African American-owned architecture firm. Moody Nolan continues to garner national attention by promoting “diversity by design.”

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