What if the most powerful thing a city can build isn't a building at all, but a connection? In this episode of The BOBcast, Bob Riney sits down with Kim Montague, president and CEO of Albert Kahn Associates, and Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, to explore how design and public space are reshaping Detroit's future. Kim shares the personal story behind her path into healthcare architecture and what it means to lead as the firm's first female CEO, while Ryan reflects on his family's generations-deep ties to the riverfront and the vision driving its continued transformation. Together, they make the case that Detroit's comeback isn't accidental; it's the product of deliberate, community-centered design.
What if the most powerful thing a city can build isn't a building at all, but a connection? In this episode of The BOBcast, Bob Riney sits down with Kim Montague, president and CEO of Albert Kahn Associates, and Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, to explore how design and public space are reshaping Detroit's future. Kim shares the personal story behind her path into healthcare architecture and what it means to lead as the firm's first female CEO, while Ryan reflects on his family's generations-deep ties to the riverfront and the vision driving its continued transformation. Together, they make the case that Detroit's comeback isn't accidental; it's the product of deliberate, community-centered design.
Time Stamps
Introduction and Guest Backgrounds
:20- Bob Riney introduces the podcast and welcomes Kim Montague, President and CEO of Albert Kahn Associates, and Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.
:36- Bob highlights Kim's achievements, including her role as the first female CEO of Albert Kahn Associates and her work with the Detroit American Heart Association and Women in Healthcare Michigan.
1:18- Bob also mentions Ryan's family legacy with the Detroit River and his role at Watershed Horizons, focusing on energy and infrastructure solutions.
1:47- The collaboration between Albert Kahn Associates and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is noted, particularly their work on the award-winning Riverfront Design in 2019.
Kim Montague on Healthcare Design and Detroit's Future
2:46- Bob asks Kim about the importance of world-class hospitals like Henry Ford Health's Destination Grand for a city like Detroit.
3:00- Kim discusses the significance of Henry Ford's investment in the community and the firm's long-term presence in Detroit.
3:30- Bob shifts the focus to Ryan, asking about his favorite aspect of the new Detroit Riverfront.
3:42- Ryan emphasizes the connectivity of the riverfront, highlighting the fully connected river walk from the east to the west side.
Ryan Sullivan on Riverfront Transformation
4:11- Bob inquires about the transformation of the Detroit Riverfront from an industrial area to a popular destination.
4:30- Ryan reflects on the historical context of his great-grandfathers' work along the river and the community's pride in the current riverfront.
5:02- Bob asks about the international experiences Kim has had with Albert Kahn and how they can be applied to Detroit.
5:21- Kim shares insights from her time in the Netherlands, Japan, and Brazil, noting the importance of public spaces and healthcare continuum.
Community Engagement and Future Plans
6:10- Bob discusses the design of public spaces and their intended audience, asking Ryan about the community engagement strategies for the riverfront.
6:38- Ryan explains the riverfront's inclusivity, with diverse visitors and purpose-built community engagement strategies.
7:09- Bob asks Ryan about his dream list for the riverfront's future development.
7:28- Ryan mentions upcoming projects like the Renaissance Center development and the WNBA project, predicting significant investment and activation in the next five to ten years.
Kim Montague's Journey and Role Modeling
7:55- Bob asks Kim about her personal connection to healthcare design, leading to her commitment to designing respectful and humanistic spaces.
8:05- Kim shares her story of becoming an architect after failing organic chemistry and her experience with her mother's illness, which inspired her to focus on healthcare design.
9:13- Bob asks Kim about her message to young girls aspiring to break the glass ceiling in traditionally non-welcoming fields.
9:43- Kim emphasizes the importance of persistence, having a great mentor, and mentoring others to achieve personal and professional success.
Detroit vs. New York and Personal Pride
11:02- Bob asks Ryan about his perspective on Detroit compared to New York City, highlighting Detroit's opportunities and creativity.
11:31- Ryan discusses the professional growth and freedom found in Detroit, contrasting it with the crowded and competitive environment of New York.
12:14- Bob asks each guest about their proudest achievements.
12:20- Kim highlights Albert Kahn's roots in Detroit and her personal involvement in the community, mentoring young architects.
13:26- Ryan shares his pride in the opening of Wilson Park, reflecting on his great-grandfathers' contributions to the riverfront and the significance of the project.
Conclusion and Gratitude
14:06- Bob expresses gratitude to Kim and Ryan for their contributions to Detroit and The BOBcast.
Kim Montague 00:00
We’ve stayed in this city primarily because we’ve always believed in this city and we’ve always believed that, despite the first industrial revolution, there’s room for more, and we’re seeing that next evolution of Detroit.
Bob Riney 00:14
Welcome back to The BOBcast. I'm your host, Bob Riney, President and CEO of Henry Ford Health, and I'm thrilled to be joined today by two visionary leaders who are helping to build Detroit into the city of the future. Today, our guests are Kim Montague, president and CEO of Albert Kahn Associates, and Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. Kim stepped into her role as the first female CEO in the firm's storied history in September of 2025, and Ryan has been leading the Conservancy since May of 2024. Kim's impact extends well beyond her leadership at Albert Kahn Associates. She has served as chair of the Detroit American Heart Association " Go Red for Women" campaign for both 2025 and 2026, and she founded Women in Healthcare Michigan, a network that now connects more than 2,500 members. Her work has earned national recognition, including being named one of Healthcare Design Magazine's 25 Most Influential People in Healthcare Design. Ryan's connection to the Detroit River runs deep, rooted in family legacy. Two of his great-grandfathers worked along the riverfront more than a century ago. Today, he continues that legacy not only through his role at the Conservancy, but also as the founder and CEO of Watershed Horizons, where he helps organizations across the Great Lakes region tackle complex energy and infrastructure challenges with innovative solutions. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and Albert Kahn Associates both carry a rich history in Detroit, and their influence continues to intersect in meaningful ways, including their collaboration on elements of the award-winning Riverfront Design back in 2019. And on a personal note, I will tell you that the original Henry Ford Hospital, which stands so proudly today, was an Albert Kahn-designed building, and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is something that Henry Ford leans into because nothing promotes health greater than this beautiful, beautiful riverfront. So, Kim and Ryan, thank you both for joining me in The BOBcast .
Kim Montague 02:30
Thank you, Bob. Ryan, I don't know about you, but your resume is exceptional.
Ryan Sullivan 02:34
I wanted to start clapping during yours, so...
Bob Riney 02:36
Well, you guys can have a mutual admiration society all the way through this conversation because you both deserve it. But let me start. Kim, a s someone who has built their career around the passion for healthcare design, how vital is it for a city like Detroit that's on the come up, to have a world-class hospital like Henry Ford Health is building with Destination Grand?
Kim Montague 02:59
I'm glad you brought that up because being on the 18th floor of the Fisher Building, we have the opportunity to watch all of this health being imparted into into our community, and with Albert Kahn having been in the Fisher Building for the past 10 years and in Detroit for all of its 131 years, it's really amazing to see Henry Ford make that kind of investment in not only in your business but in the communities within which you serve,
Bob Riney 03:30
Ryan, let's talk about this amazing riverfront. If you had to choose one, what would be your favorite aspect of this new and improved Detroit Riverfront, and why'd you pick it?
Ryan Sullivan 03:41
In one word, connection and the connectivity of all of our spaces, because with the opening of Wilson Park last fall, we now have this fully connected River walk from the East S ide to the West Side up the Greenways. So you can go from the East Side where I live, jump on the Riverfront, go up the to Eastern Market, come back to the Riverfront, go all the way through Wilson Park, up the Southwest Greenway to Michigan Central, all without ever going on any roads or crossing any vehicular traffic.
Bob Riney 04:10
Did you ever envision that our riverfront, which for those of you not from the Detroit area historically was lined with factories and silos from cement companies, did you ever think of the possibility that it would now be the reason people are choosing to come here for weekend getaways?
Ryan Sullivan 04:20
You mentioned in the opening remarks that I had great grandfathers that worked here in an industrial capacity. Could they have imagined today that we have what so different from what they lived in their reality? I don't think so. So it is something that we should be incredibly proud of as an entire community because that's what it took to build this over the last 23 plus years, and it's something that other cities are envious, and we all hear about other cities that have incredible waterfronts, but they're not as connected as ours, and I think that's something that even here when we live here we under appreciate what we have.
Bob Riney 05:02
Kim, you've had the opportunity to go across the world in many, many countries, including the Netherlands, Brazil, Japan. What do you take from those experiences about what we can apply here in Detroit from what you see abroad?
Kim Montague 05:22
Each of those countries have a different approach, not only to healthcare, but also to their civic spaces, their public spaces, and to connection. My time in the Netherlands was really unique. I didn't just go to Amsterdam. I spent time in some of the small towns in Netherlands. They pay attention to the full continuum of healthcare in the full continuum of health and wellness from birth to death, they have outdoor cafes and they still sit outside even when it's raining, when it's snowing, and when it's 10 degrees. They'll sit there and drink their coffee or their beer, despite the weather. And I think we can learn from the Netherlands and a little bit from Japan, Brazil is different. Sao Paulo is very much like New York City. It's packed to the curb.
Bob Riney 06:11
Ryan, when we build public spaces, there's always a concern about who we're building them for. You know, are we building them for the elites? Are we building them for the convention business? Are we building them for everyday citizens, one of the things that I find about the riverfront is it's been so purposely designed to make sure that it is a deep connection to the community. Tell us about that journey.
Ryan Sullivan 06:39
We say it's the riverfront for everyone. When you come down here, whether you're spending 20 minutes here or an entire day here, you see that you feel that. I mean, if we were to walk a mile from here, I promise you, we'd hear at least two or three different foreign languages. We would see tons of people that look different than us, and we would all be interacting and enjoying the space together. But that doesn't happen on its own. That's not an accidental result. Each one of the parks had its own purpose-built community engagement strategy that went into that, and when you add all that together over the years, it just keeps getting better and better.
Bob Riney 07:10
I know that as an individual and as a leader, you're never satisfied that we've hit the endpoint, and there's always more to do to enhance this amazing riverfront. Tell us what's on your dream list and what you envision five years from now, we might be looking at.
Ryan Sullivan 07:29
Well, there's been a number of projects that have been announced directly adjacent to the Riverwalk geography. Whether that's the Renaissance Center development, of course, as being the largest and most noteworthy, but also the WNBA project a little further east from where we're sitting today, and down by Huntington Place and the JW Marriott. When we look ahead to the next five to 10 years, the amount of investment and activation that's coming adjacent to the Riverwalk is going to dwarf everything that happened beforehand.
Bob Riney 07:56
Kim, as we switch back to healthcare, you didn't land in healthcare designed totally by accident, but you had a personal connection. Can you tell us about that?
Kim Montague 08:06
I'll tell you kind of a little bit of an embarrassing story of how I landed in architecture, and you know I thought I was going to be a doctor. It's a good thing I'm not because I flunked organic chemistry, probably not a good fit. My guidance counselor at the time said you seem to have a passion for communities and arts and science, and he recommended I take a course called Understanding Architecture 201. So I did. Fast forward, I became a TA for that course, and then eventually became a licensed architect. My story in healthcare specifically was around my mother during a time that she was dying from ovarian cancer, and I remember vividly that moment sitting in the ICU with her and with my brother, and thinking to myself, we have to have more respect for ourselves as humans. And as an architect, I can design spaces that embody that respect, that humanism, that really needs to be in healthcare spaces, and it was that moment that I committed myself to healthcare design, and you know, really focusing on that.
Bob Riney 09:15
As the first female CEO of Albert Kahn, you have become a real role model for women that aspire to break the glass ceiling and be the best versions of themselves in careers that maybe were historically thought of as non-welcoming. Tell me what your message is to young girls today that you learned that got you to where you are.
Kim Montague 09:45
The first thing I would say is never, ever, ever give up. If it's something you're passionate about and it aligns with your personal values, there's always a path. I think the second thing is have a great mentor, have someone that you can truly talk to about how you're feeling, what the challenges you're experiencing. And it doesn't necessarily have to be someone in your field. You know, I've had architects, bankers, attorneys, and I am very passionate about mentoring myself. I've taken on a lot of emerging professionals, both in my profession and outside of my profession, and helped them with career advice and sometimes personal advice, sometimes family advice.
Bob Riney 10:25
I'm curious about one thing. When you were rising through your career, did you think of yourself as a female designer or a designer?
Kim Montague 10:35
I thought of myself as a healthcare designer. That was first, and it was more about the work I was completing with my clients and helping them achieve their goals. Because remember, our firm is going to design this building. Someone else is going to construct it, and then we walk away and we go to the next project. It's our clients that are living with the results. Does this work? Is the community engaged? Are your patients and your families satisfied with the experience that they're getting?
Bob Riney 11:04
Ryan, you spent a good deal of time in New York City. I actually love New York City. I think it's a fabulous part of this country. But I also think Detroit has got its own incredible attributes, its own incredible vibe. If you were talking to 20-somethings about why they should consider Detroit instead of some of the more obvious choices. What would you tell them?
Ryan Sullivan 11:34
Detroit is a city of opportunity for people pursuing many different fields or areas of interest. It's a place where, even myself, moving back from New York in my mid to late 20s, what I found was that you were able to sort of punch above your weight with respect to your professional career and get opportunities that you may have to wait in line a number of years if you were to stay in New York because it can be crowded in some different spaces or very saturated. There's a lot more creativity and freedom here to forge your own path, whether it's at work or even outside of work, there's a lot more room here to leave your mark and to get involved. Whereas, if you stay long enough in a big city like New York, you run the risk of feeling like a number.
Bob Riney 12:17
What are each of you most proud of, what you've been involved with thus far?
Kim Montague 12:23
I'll answer it two ways, from a firm standpoint, Albert Kahn was founded in Detroit by a very humble immigrant who moved with his family to the United States, taught himself how to do architecture design, went to Europe, learned from some of the greats, and brought that back here. The roots of our organization are solid here in Michigan, and we never left Detroit. We've stayed in this city primarily because we've always believed in the city, and we always believed, despite the first industrial revolution, there's room for more. And we're seeing that next evolution of Detroit from a personal standpoint. I've had the opportunity to travel around the world, but I've always been able to come back home and be part of the community. When I mentor professionals coming out of either U of D- Mercy or Lawrence Tech or University of Michigan as young architects, I tell them the same thing: you have an opportunity to design something and very quickly leave your thumbprint in this community.
Bob Riney 13:27
Ryan. What would you be most proud of?
Ryan Sullivan 13:29
I think the opening of Wilson Park, which we opened last fall, so meaningful to the entire city, the entire region. I was very fortunate to come into that project, kind of on the tail end. It had been roughly an eight-year-long from design to completion project, and I came in in the last, you know, roughly 18 months of that build to help finish the job under some challenging circumstances that our organization was facing. So, to be standing on the podium the day that we opened that park, and to think about my great grandfathers who one cleaned out rail cars for the Michigan Central Rail Company, and the other was a crane operator up and down the river, and to think, wow, they worked or stood right in the same spot. That was really special.
Bob Riney 14:09
Both of you are leaders of impact, and I hope that you are as proud of the role that you've played as all of us that benefit from both the incredible work of Albert Kahn and the beautiful Detroit Riverfront. You're both playing such a key role in that. So thank you for being on The BOBcast.
Ryan Sullivan 14:29
Thanks for having me.
Kim Montague 14:29
Thank you, Bob.