Defining direction.
Delivering transformation.

Aretee is a strategic design practice that helps institutions define direction and translate it into transformative programs, places, and institutional systems.

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Working upstream of design and delivery, we align leaders, stakeholders, and strategy before major initiatives and investments begin. We also help institutions build the frameworks and structures that allow that direction to hold over time.

How Aretee Works

A strategic design practice operating upstream of design and delivery — helping institutions define direction and build the frameworks that sustain it.

Vison

Clarifying institutional ambition and defining the future an institution wants to build.

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Alignment

Engaging stakeholders and leadership to create shared clarity, trust, and momentum around transformative initiatives.

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Direction

Establishing strategic frameworks, governance structures, and guiding principles that sustain momentum over time.

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Why This Work Matters

Many institutions define strong visions but struggle to sustain them through decision-making, leadership transitions, and competing priorities. Aretee works in the space between vision and implementation — helping institutions maintain clarity and direction as they move into action.

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Our Work

College Town Magic

Creating a vision for a campus of the future
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Lassonde Studios

Creating a vision for a new model of learning
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Photo by Stella Jacob via Unsplash

NYU Tandon @The Yard

Creating the first AR/VR Media Lab
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Photo by The Jopwell Connection via Unsplash

Dartmouth Hopkins Center for the Arts

Re-Imagining the Arts for the 21st Century
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Photo by Quantumn via Unsplash

Marriott Hospitality Leadership Institute

Repositioning hospitality within the experience economy
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Utah for All

Expanding access to higher education. Strategic framework for inclusive education initiatives.
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“I have worked with Francesca on many workshops and events with the goal of aligning disparate thinking and creating actionable insight that can move us towards our aims. Her preparation is always thorough and her facilitation humane and insightful.”

Fiona Cousins

Chair, Arup Americas

“We wanted to do something bold and innovative, we were lucky to engage Francesca.  She has been instrumental in helping us break the mold and create world-class facilities and programs on campus. We continue to use Francesca and her team on projects when we need to create inspiration. If you want to do something great, the Aretee team will get you there.”

Troy D’Ambrosio

VP of Innovation, University of Utah

“Francesca facilitated a zero-to-one concept development process for a large team spanning multiple cities and time zones, resulting in an innovative application in the public realm. We could not have done it without her insights, empathy, and strategic acumen.”

Siqi Zhu

Former Director of Planning, Sidewalk Labs

Associate Principal & Director of Planning and Urban Technology, Sasaki

Who We Serve

We believe that by partnering with our clients we can strategically design and deliver better outcomes and experiences.With Aretee, clients walk away with more than a plan. They leave with a shared purpose, a resonant narrative, and aroadmap built to evolve.

Institutions

Higher education, cultural, and civic institutions — often working at their intersection. We work directly with leadership teams navigating complex transformation.

Institutional vision and strategy

Initiative and program definition

Governance and decision frameworks

Strategic advisory roles

Design & Planning Teams

Architecture and planning teams partner with Aretee when complex institutional projects require strategic clarity and direction before design begins.

Multi-stakeholder visioning

Program definition

Design principles

Stakeholder alignment

Our Clients