Sherri Privitera

Sherri Privitera is a Senior Principal and Americas Regional Board member at Populous, a global architecture and design firm based in Kansas City. With 28 years of experience and over $9 billion in completed sports projects, she is one of the most accomplished and respected architects in the industry. As Populous’ Women’s Professional Sports Director and global leader in elite athlete training, Sherri brings unparalleled expertise to projects at the intersection of athletic performance, wellness, and fan experience.

Her portfolio includes some of the most transformative facilities in collegiate and professional sports, and her influence continues to shape the future of women’s athletics. Sherri serves as a trusted advisor to top athletic directors and team owners, known for her thoughtful, research-driven approach to facility design. Her leadership in Populous’ global elite athlete training group reflects her passion for creating environments that support the full development of the athlete—combining training, recovery, and mental wellness into every space.

Sherri’s work has already changed the landscape of collegiate athletics and is poised to do the same in women’s professional sports. She collaborates with leaders in athletic training, recovery, performance, nutrition, and coaching to develop new standards for excellence. Internally, she has created and led cross-market teams that drive innovative thinking and forward-looking strategies across the firm’s global practice.

A creative problem solver and natural collaborator, Sherri motivates teams to pursue bold ideas, have fun along the way, and deliver results with purpose. Her leadership has earned her numerous industry accolades, including recognition as a Sports Business Journal Power Player, Game Changer: Women in Sports Business, GlobeSt. Women of Influence, and VenuesNow All-Star.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sherri is a passionate advocate for empowering women and girls to be confident, bold, and supportive of one another. She is especially committed to increasing the visibility of women in leadership and often integrates her personal and professional lives to set an example of what’s possible. Her 14-year-old daughter is a source of daily inspiration—and even joins her for major milestones, like project openings.

Sherri is a proud alumna of the University of Nebraska’s College of Architecture, where she earned both her B.S. in architectural studies and master’s in architecture. She remains actively involved at her alma mater, serving as a guest lecturer and member of both the Council of Alumni Ambassadors and the College of Architecture’s Professional Advisory Committee. One of her proudest recent achievements is leading the Go Big Training Facility Project as Principal in Charge—a groundbreaking facility opening this past year that redefines athlete development through integrated, research-informed design.

With a clear vision and unwavering dedication, Sherri continues to shape the future of sport—creating places that elevate performance, build community, and champion the power of women.