Martha Thorne

Martha Thorne is an urbanist, writer, educator, and facilitator of architecture competitions. She has served in major roles throughout her professional career: Senior Advisor to the Obel Foundation and Dean of IE School of Architecture and Design.

She also served as Executive Director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize (the "Nobel of Architecture”) from 2005 to 2021. In all her roles, she seeks to contribute to high-quality environments that are sustainable, liveable, and equitable for all.

Martha Thorne received a Master of City Planning degree from the University of
Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She also undertook studies at the London School of Economics.