Hemanshu Parwani
Principal, Owner and CEO
Olson Kundig
Hemanshu Parwani – or “HP” as he is called by friends and colleagues – is responsible for directing operations at Olson Kundig, including the firm’s business and organizational development. In this role, HP supplements the firm’s design-first strategy with effective operational resources. He guides all aspects of the company, from advancing Olson Kundig’s strategic direction and initiatives to managing day-to-day firm operations.
HP has worked in international operations, capital markets, and strategic development for over 30 years. He started his career in hospitality operations with Pannell Kerr Foster Worldwide, a specialized financial advisory and consulting services firm, where he led the practice in strategic planning for hospitality markets. Since then, HP has gone on to hold CEO, COO, and CFO roles for various international firms in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry, delivering projects on almost all continents.
Throughout his 35-year career, he has stayed engaged within the real estate and hospitality sector, expanding his expertise to cover construction, development, syndications, asset and operator identification, and operations, and working with brands including Aman, One&Only, Six Senses, Montage, Auberge, Fairmont, Rosewood, Armani, and Four Seasons. Under HP’s leadership, Olson Kundig has experienced significant growth in hospitality work, with over two dozen active projects in development across the globe. Looking towards the future, his focus is continuing to prioritize sustainability and building performance as part of the guest experience.
A true global citizen, HP has lived in Asia, the Middle East and North America. He is an avid mountaineer and has climbed some of the world’s tallest mountains, including Everest. HP often climbs to raise money for causes close to his heart, including the American Cancer Society and Autism Speaks. Mountaineering reflects HP’s larger approach to business and operations: he believes in fostering a team mentality where trust emerges as colleagues work together towards a common purpose. For him, progress is measured not so much by reaching the summit, but rather by the daily steps taken and the relationships and personal bonds created along the way.
