Biography
Martha Thorne is an internationally recognized figure in architecture, urbanism, and design education. Trained as a city planner, she has spent her career working at the intersection of architecture, culture, and the built environment as a critic, educator, strategist, and curator. Thorne served as Executive Director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize for over 15 years and went on to serve as Dean of the IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid, where she later held the role of Distinguished Professor. She has also served as Director of Strategic and Institutional Relations at Gallery Institute and as Senior Advisor to the Henrik F. Obel Foundation's OBEL Award. Currently working as an independent consultant, she advises on architecture competitions, prizes, and events, and has served on numerous international architecture juries. Thorne is a passionate advocate for the power of design to create healthier, more just, and more resilient environments. She holds a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs from the University at Buffalo.
