Marc Brahaney, Princeton ’77, *86, P19, is the owner of Princeton-based Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction which he cofounded with his late wife, Janet Lasley, in 1997 when they merged their two companies, Brahaney Architectural Associates and Lasley Construction Inc. Since then Lasley Brahaney has been recognized as a premier architecture and construction firm focused on residential design-build projects including custom additions and renovations to existing homes and the design and construction of new homes.

Marc's connection to Princeton University spans almost 50 years starting in 1973 as an undergrad, then in the mid 80’s as a grad student, and more recently as a parent of an undergrad in the class of ’19. Marc initially planned to major in Political Science as an undergraduate and then go on to law school. He changed course midstream and graduated summa cum laude majoring in Architecture. Several years later he returned to Princeton to earn his master’s degree in Architecture. He continues to do volunteer work for the University in a variety of capacities including serving as an Annual Giving fundraiser, being a class trustee, serving as a member of the Council of the Princeton University Community, supporting Princeton Internships in Civic Service, and being a member of GradFUTURES.

Marc’s other volunteer work is focused on community health and well-being. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Princeton Day School where he chairs the Buildings and Grounds Committee, chairs the Core Committee which has guided the school’s recent major capital projects, serves on the Audit Committee and serves on the Executive Committee. Marc is a long-standing member of the Board of Trustees of Planned Parenthood of Greater Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey. Marc and his daughter Caylin, along with other family members and friends, co-founded the Janet May Lasley Life Fund to provide support, in collaboration with the Trenton Health Team, to cancer patients in Mercer County who do not have the resources necessary to contend with a cancer diagnosis.

Marc is married to Sue Brahaney and is the father of a son (a Princeton graduate) who is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marines and a daughter who will enter USC medical school this summer.

"I have benefited incredibly from the advice and guidance of other people in my life who took the time to speak with me about the opportunities and challenges of charting a way forward. I hope to provide, even in a modest way, the same sort of thoughtful feedback that was so helpful to me.

My connection to GradFUTURES is simple. I must have been on a list of willing graduate volunteers because I received an email several months ago asking if I would consider being a mentor to a graduate student in what was described as a new mentorship program designed to make connections between grad students and grad alums and thereby support the professional development of grad students. My experience as a mentor has been terrific. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Sophie and hope/expect our connection to continue past her tenure as a grad student."

What advice do you have for current graduate students regarding their professional development?

Start with empathy. Empathy requires open-mindedness. And those two things can lead to cooperation and collaboration. Keep an open mind, be inquisitive, try new things, reach outside your field of study and especially make personal connections while you are in a place with so many other talented scholars.

Reach out to others who have come before you. I believe people who have attained experience in a profession and in life in general are happy to try to answer questions that grad students might have."

I have participated in the following GradFUTURES Programs: GradFUTURES Mentorship Program

LinkedIn Profile

Yes, I am open to being contacted by a Princeton Graduate Student for an informational interview!