Hammes Healthcare appoints Liezl Diaz to lead operational readiness and transition and activation planning services

MILWAUKEE, WI – July 2, 2025 – Hammes, a national real estate consulting, development, investment and management firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Liezl Diaz as leader of Hammes Healthcare’s operational readiness, transition and activation planning services. Her appointment reinforces Hammes’ commitment to delivering end-to-end healthcare solutions that drive efficiency, operational success, and long-term value for its healthcare provider clients.

Liezl has nearly 30 years of experience aligning capital program goals with facility design and operational stakeholders’ needs. Over her career, Liezl has led and contributed to a diverse portfolio of high-impact healthcare, clinical and academic research laboratory, and public sector projects, including her work with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the New York City Department of Design and Construction. She brings a proven track record of leading transformative initiatives that bridge strategic planning with ground-level implementation.

“Liezl brings extensive experience across multiple roles, including as an owner, owner’s representative, architect, and strategic advisor,” said Nancy Connolly, President of Hammes Healthcare. “Her multidisciplinary perspective gives her a firsthand appreciation of the collaboration, coordination, and leadership required to ensure clinical and operational stakeholders are prepared to deliver care in a new healthcare environment.”

During Liezl’s tenure with Memorial Sloan Kettering, she spearheaded several capital projects as part of the system's $2.5 billion capital expansion program. This included transition planning and operational readiness for the 24-story, 750,000-square-foot David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care—the largest freestanding cancer care facility in New York.

Liezl is a registered architect and member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). She holds her LEED AP certification, a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Washington University and Masters’ degrees in Business Administration and Healthcare Leadership from Cornell University.