Steven Doo
Associate principal and project manager, G70
His work involves developing services to help business owners and clients execute projects through the planning, design and construction phases. He’s also an active member of Na Makamaka o Kou, G70’s cultural committee, for which he helps provide resources and understanding of Hawaii’s history.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken and how did it turn out?
The biggest risk I’ve taken was to change jobs to work at G70. At G70, I have the opportunity to work with some of Hawaii’s leading designers and innovative thinkers. The collective vision to design for Hawaii with future generations in mind drew me to G70. As a leader at G70, I have the privilege of adding value to that vision
by leading, inspiring and collaborating with colleagues and the future designers of Hawaii. My desire is to create meaningful partnerships to reshape how we design based on our community needs.
Who was an important mentor for you and what did you learn from this person?
Francis Oda is a very special mentor to me. I admire how he brings his faith into the workplace and weaves it with his passion for design. This gives me the courage to share my faith with others and show up as my authentic self. Through his mentorship, I’ve built up the courage to try new things that aim to inspire and show others their fullest potential by modeling integrity and allowing space for tough conversations. He challenges me
to envision futures for my life, our company, and the communities that we serve daily.
What’s your top personal and professional goal for the year ahead?
My top personal goal is to be more active in community organizations focused on aina and development of our local ecosystems. I believe our connection to aina informs us of who we are, where we come from, and where we should go. My top professional goal is to build teams that people want to be a part of. I want to create an environment where people feel safe and supported so they can do their best work. I want to develop others to grow in their abilities and push boundaries and be an ambassador to celebrate their successes. I believe this will foster innovation and creative design.