Matt White
About Matt White
Matt White serves as the Director of Design and Construction at the Obama Foundation, where he manages corporate stakeholders to deliver projects on-time and on-budget. He has extensive experience in real estate development, having previously held positions at Goldman Sachs and contributed to significant projects in both Europe and Asia.
Work at Obama Foundation
Matt White has served as the Director of Design and Construction at the Obama Foundation since 2021. In this role, he manages various corporate stakeholders to ensure the delivery of world-class spaces within budget and on schedule. His position is based in Chicago, Illinois, where he has been instrumental in overseeing design and construction projects that align with the foundation's mission.
Experience at Goldman Sachs
Prior to joining the Obama Foundation, Matt White held multiple positions at Goldman Sachs. He served as Vice President of Real Estate Development from 2019 to 2021, where he led design coordination for significant projects, including Plumtree Court, the firm's European headquarters. He also worked as an Associate in Real Estate Development from 2015 to 2019, contributing to various corporate services and capital projects.
Education and Expertise
Matt White holds a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) from Yale University, where he studied from 2011 to 2015. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a minor in Business from Washington University in St. Louis, completing his studies from 2001 to 2006. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Yale School of Management from 2013 to 2015, further enhancing his expertise in architecture and business.
Background in Architecture
Matt White's career in architecture began with his role at StudioShanghai, where he worked as an architect from 2006 to 2011. He contributed to notable projects in major Chinese cities, including the award-winning Foshan Lingnan Tiandi project. His early experiences also include internships at Charles Cunniffe Architects and Booth Hansen, where he gained foundational skills in design and project management.
Key Projects and Contributions
Throughout his career, Matt White has played a significant role in various high-profile projects. He was instrumental in the design and development of Shanghai Disneytown while working in China. At Goldman Sachs, he contributed to the creation of a 350-seat auditorium at Plumtree Court and led a team managing third-party project managers and quantity surveyors, showcasing his ability to deliver complex projects effectively.