Sylvia Kwan, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, of San Francisco, California, founded Kwan Henmi Architecture/Planning, Inc. in 1980 with a commitment to enhance and protect the built environment. In 2017, she led the firm to its merger with DLR Group, a multi-national firm. DLR Group continues to dominate in several areas of expertise including transportation, multi-family residential, and educational project types.
Kwan is recognized as a national leader in her field and a highly respected member of the California business community. She was recently reappointed by Governor Newsom to the California Architect Board, serving as president of the board from 2018-2019. She also served as the former chair of UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design Dean’s Council, and as a director on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Board, the AIA California Council Board, and the AIA San Francisco Chapter Board. She also served as the chair of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce board from 2001-2002 and as president of the Northern California chapter of the International Women’s Forum.
After serving as the FY21 chair of NCARB’s Region 6 (Western Conference) and the FY22-23 Region 6 Director, Kwan is now serving as the NCARB secretary. She is a former member of the Recology Corporate Board, serving on several key committees. She is the director of the Lambda Alpha Honorary Real Estate Society Board and was a member of the Community Advisory Board Member of Wells Fargo Bank.