Ellen Bensky, Principal, CEO, CFO, Turner Fleischer

Talk Description
For more than 16 years, Turner Fleischer’s Academy has provided structured learning to support professional growth across the studio. What began as an in-person program has expanded into a broader learning ecosystem, shaped by changes in practice, technology, and how adults learn. Today, that evolution is more important than ever, as firms navigate an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment.

CEO Ellen Bensky shares how Turner Fleischer approaches learning as an ongoing practice rather than a finished product. Central to this work is a Learning + Development team of three professionals with formal backgrounds in adult education, grounding programs in adult learning principles and a deep understanding of how professionals engage with learning over time.

The session will explore how learning programs are continually assessed through feedback, retrospectives, and ongoing dialogue with studio members. Rather than assuming programs remain effective, learning at Turner Fleischer is treated as a living system—regularly reviewed, refined, and adapted as needs shift.

Ellen will also reflect on how the learning ecosystem continues to evolve. In 2025, two new programs were introduced alongside the Academy, continuing a long-standing approach of expanding learning to meet emerging needs. Looking ahead to 2026, the focus turns to defining an overarching learning framework—bringing greater structure and intention to how learning is designed and experienced. This includes more intentional learning pathways, spanning leadership development, digital learning through an LMS, and other targeted programs aligned with the evolving needs of the studio. This direction is shaped by the growing complexity of our work, and the recognition that not all challenges are the same—some are tame, with clearer paths to resolution, while others are wicked: hard to define, with no single right answer, and shaped by multiple, often competing demands.

Speaker Bio
Ellen Bensky is a transformative leader at Turner Fleischer, guiding the Toronto-based firm’s growth into a dynamic Studio specializing in Architecture, Interior Design, and Experiential Graphic Design. Her unique 35-year journey as a non-architect to becoming Principal, CEO, and CFO is a testament to her exceptional leadership and vision. Her innovative approach has redefined the traditional business model of the industry, emphasizing that operational teams are the foundation of a successful AEC practice rather than an overhead burden, allowing designers to focus on design. She has strengthened the Studio’s technological capabilities by developing a Digital Practice team with deep expertise, integrating advanced tools and systems to digitize both the practice and their projects.