Minneapolis, MN—Sylvia Kwan, FAIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED AP, of San Rafael, California, was elected as vice president of the National Council of Architectural Boards (NCARB) at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting. In June 2027, Kwan will be elevated to president of NCARB, which facilitates licensure and credentialing for architects in the United States.
As vice president, Kwan will support the Board’s efforts to expand access to the profession through NCARB’s Pathways to Practice initiative. The multi-year effort is reimagining the licensure process by refreshing core programs and increasing accessibility for candidates—all while preserving high standards that protect the public.
Kwan is a former member of the California Architects Board, where she served terms as vice president and president. During her time on the board, Kwan chaired the Communications, Examination, and Professional Qualifications committees. In 2021, Kwan was elected by her peers to NCARB’s Board of Directors as the director of Region 6, which includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
As a dedicated volunteer, Kwan has offered her time and expertise to several NCARB initiatives, including the Regional Leadership Committee and the Diversity Collaborative. She also served as the Board liaison to the Experience, Examination, and Policy Advisory committees and the chair of the Audit Committee. Most recently, she served as a member of the Member Board Executives Committee.
Kwan has held leadership positions on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) national board, plus the AIA California and AIA San Francisco boards. Kwan previously chaired the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce board and was president of the Northern California chapter of the International Women’s Forum. In addition to numerous awards for architectural design, Kwan was elevated to the AIA’s College of Fellows in 1998.
In 1980, Kwan cofounded Kwan Henmi, with a commitment to enhance and protect the built environment. Kwan earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. Kwan is licensed to practice architecture in California and holds the NCARB Certificate for national reciprocity.
About NCARB
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural licensing boards of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB, in collaboration with these boards, facilitates the licensure and credentialing of architects to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
To achieve these goals, NCARB works with its Member Boards and volunteers to develop and facilitate standards for licensure, including the national examination and experience program. NCARB also recommends regulatory guidelines for licensing boards and helps architects expand their professional reach through the NCARB Certificate. Connect with NCARB on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.
