Sylvia Kwan, FAIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED AP, of San Rafael, California, is NCARB’s FY26 second vice president. She 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.
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 Architects Board, serving as president of the board from 2018-2019. Kwan was elected to serve on the NCARB Board of Directors in FY22 as the Region 6 Director, going on to serve as the organization’s secretary and secretary/treasurer.
In addition to her service to NCARB, Kwan 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. In addition, Kwan 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. 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.