The CED Dean's Advisory Council is a select group of alumni and friends who care deeply about the College of Environmental Design and serve as its ambassadors with fellow CED alumni, alumni of the University, and others whose professional and philanthropic interests align with CED's purpose.
Membership in the Dean's Advisory Council is by invitation of the dean of the college. Council members provide strategic planning advice to assist the dean in promoting CED to constituencies beyond the campus, as well as encouraging alumni and others to make gifts to the college. Members also bring their external expertise to the college, informing the dean about notable trends in the architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning fields to help shape CED's activities, programming, and facilities development.
The CED Dean's Advisory Council evolved out of the CED Alumni (CEDA) board of directors, founded in 1990, which for almost two decades served the college by organizing events and programs such as the annual Distinguished Alumni Award Program and the CED Mentorship Program. In 2010 the CEDA board redefined and reformed itself as the CED Dean's Advisory Council.
Advisory Council
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Fred Blackwell, Master of City and Regional Planning 1996
Fred Blackwell, CEO of the San Francisco Foundation was former Assistant City Administrator for the City of Oakland. He was responsible for community and economic development; parks and recreation; select public works functions; human services; libraries; liaison to museum services; and community relations, including supporting public safety initiatives. He was also the director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency (SFRA) since 2007, where he oversaw housing, economic development, and infrastructure investments in the city's eight project areas. Before joining SFRA, Mr. Blackwell was the director of the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Community Development, where he administered the city's Community Development Block Program, focusing on economic and service-focused strategies to meet the needs of San Francisco's low-income families and neighborhoods. |
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Kofi Bonner, Master of City and Regional Planning 1986, Master of Architecture 1987
Kofi Bonner is Regional Vice President for Northern California of FivePoint. In this role, Mr. Bonner leads development of The San Francisco Shipyard and Candlestick Point communities, as well as the communities managed for Lennar: Treasure Island and the Concord Naval Weapons Station. Born in Ghana, Mr. Bonner began his career as an affordable housing developer for Oakland Community Housing Inc., and then served as head of redevelopment for the City of Emeryville. He later held the positions of Director of Community and Economic Development and Interim City Manager for the City of Oakland, where he helped lead efforts to revitalize the city's downtown neighborhoods. |
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Ricardo L. Capretta
, B.A. Architecture 1981
Ricardo Capretta is President of Capretta Properties Inc. since 1992, a Western U.S. real estate development and investment company that has completed over 8,000,000 square feet of commercial transactions valued at over $1.3 billion. Currently, Mr. Capretta is solely focused on “Net Zero” green design and development of office and residential subdivisions. Mr. Capretta also attended UCLA and received a MBA in 1981 and a Masters in Architecture & Urban Planning in 1985. Previously, he was a Visiting Professor at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. Ricardo Capretta is a licensed Architect in the State of California, the Chairman of the Mill Valley Planning Commission and active with assisting Foster Care children in California. |
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Darrell Chan, B.A. Architecture 1998, Master of Architecture 2004
Darrell Chan is the executive director of The Luk Hoi Tong Company Ltd. (LHT), a company founded in 1926 that specializes in hospitality as well as commercial and residential developments in Hong Kong. Prior to overseeing the company's project development and project management divisions at LHT, he was the Senior Designer at Kwan Henmi Architecture/Planning in San Francisco. Notable projects include the redevelopment of the former Luk Hoi Tong Building at the heart of Central in Hong Kong. Darrell has helped launch and currently sponsors the Pacific Rim Urban Resilience By Design Research Studio, a four-year collaboration between CED and the University of Hong Kong focused on comparative analysis and design of regions and sites surrounding the Pearl River Delta and the San Francisco Bay. |
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James R. Crawford, B.A. Architecture 1970
Jim Crawford is a Partner and the Project Manager and Senior Technical Coordinator for the Los Angeles office of Richard Meier & Partners Architects. Since 1988, Jim’s role has encompassed general project management including schedule development and monitoring, consultant contracting and administration, technical coordination, code compliance, and construction administration services. Working in close collaboration with Design Partner Michael Palladino, Jim continues to offer his valuable experience to the firm’s projects which range in locations from Southern California and Northern California to Singapore, Malaysia, China, Italy, and Australia. Jim is a former Board Member of Pasadena Heritage and a current Board Member of the Pasadena Museum of California Art. |
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Jenny Gant Pham, B.A. Urban Studies 2011, Master of City Planning 2013
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Jeff Gherardini, Master of Architecture 1998
Jeff is a Partner at Plant Construction and also responsible for Business Development and the overall strategic vision of his projects. As a Project Executive, he leads teams in all aspects of building, including the renovation of historic structures, seismic reinforcing, hotel renovation, and high-design retail construction. Some of his best known projects include the Walt Disney Family Museum, the Palace Hotel renovation, Prada Beverly Hills, Apple Broadway Plaza, and the Presidio Theater. He is a Registered Architect in the State of California and a LEED Accredited Professional. He has also been an architectural studio critic at UC Berkeley, SCI-Arc, and the California College of the Arts, plus he has been a jury member for the AIA San Francisco, the San Francisco Business Times, the Structural Engineering Association of Northern California (SEAONC), and the California Preservation Foundation. Jeff sits on the City of Hope Real Estate Council and the SFHA Board of Directors. Previously, he served on the Boards of the AIA San Francisco, San Francisco Heritage, and Olympic Club Building Committee. |
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Ben Gilmartin, B.A. Architecture, B.A. English Literature 1992 Ben Gilmartin is a partner at Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R). He has led the design of some of DS+R’s major works, including the Alice Tully Hall and Fountain Plaza / Columbus Avenue Grand Entrance projects within the transformation of the Lincoln Center campus. He was also a design leader for the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive at the University of California, Berkeley, and was a key contributor on projects such as The Broad museum in Los Angeles, the Roy and Diana Vagelos Education Center at Columbia University, MoMA expansion, and The Shed, all in New York. Currently, Ben is Partner-in-Charge of the United States Olympic Museum in Colorado Springs, The New Health Precinct at the University of Sydney in Australia, and a collaborator on three projects in London: the Centre for Music, a new Symphony Hall at the Barbican; a Collections and Research Centre for the Victoria & Albert Museum at Stratford; and P5K, a public space network within the new mixed use development at Greenwich Peninsula. He has taught at the Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, was a longtime contributor to the independent architecture journal Praxis, and is Co-Chair of AIA New York’s Global Dialogues Committee. |
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Jhaelen Hernandez-Eli, B.A. Architecture 2002
As Vice President of NYC's Economic Development Corporation, Jhalen Hernandez-Eli oversees the development and management of the city's industrial and commercial assets. He is also a partner at HE, a design firm based in New York City co-founded with his wife, Juliet Hernandez-Eli. The work of the studio includes residential, commercial, and cultural projects. Hernandez-Eli was a visiting professor at Parsons New School for Design, where he taught design and management seminars in the business program. He has lectured and participated in design reviews at Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, and Pratt among others. He was formerly the Development Director for Diller + Scofidio + Renfro where he was a core member of the operations group that oversaw the strategic management and profitability of the 100-person studio. |
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Chris Kent, M.L.A. 1993
Chris Kent is a Principal at PGAdesign Landscape Architects.He enjoys working on a wide range of urban projects from housing to transportation serving both public agencies and private developers. He has worked in the bay Area for over 20 years and has completed over 100 projects. He was ASLA Trustee for 6 years, served on the ASLA Government Affairs Advisory Committee, and is currently the Chair of the Albany Planning and Zoning Commission. |
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Sylvia P. Kwan, B.A. Architecture 1976, Master of Architecture 1978
Sylvia founded Kwan Henmi Architecture/Planning with her husband, Denis Henmi, in 1980. The firm recently merged with the DLR Group to form DLR Group | Kwan Henmi. The firm has worked on such projects as the Moscone West Convention Center, SBC Park, airport projects in San Francisco and Oakland, and the Bessie Carmichael Elementary School. Ms. Kwan also lends her skills to various organizations and boards, including the American Institute of Architects, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Woman's Forum West, the Friends of Marin Center, and the Norcal Waste Systems Board. |
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Brian Lee, B.A. Architecture 1976
Brian Lee’s hands-on design approach is focused on achieving full integration of the natural and built environment through the most innovative design forms, materials, and construction technologies. Using these simple and essential principles, Lee has designed landmark structures of lasting value and impact around the globe. Directing this international practice — including projects in East and Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East — has honed his collaborative and design leadership skills. Lee’s internationally published and award-winning designs include the China World Trade Center in Beijing (the city’s tallest building); Poly International Plaza in Guangzhou, China; the University of California San Diego Telemedicine Education Building; and the Kia Motors America, Inc. Research and Development Project and Design Center in Irvine, California. |
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Michael Lin, B.A. Architecture 2001
Michael Lin is a financial advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services in San Ramon. He focuses on asset management and retirement & estate planning strategies. He was co-chair of UC Berkeley's 10th and 15th reunion campaign committees for the Class of 2001 and also does work with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. For his great work, Mr. Lin was awarded the UC Berkeley Foundation Young Bear Award in 2011 for outstanding achievement on a fundraising project and successful outreach to the community and alumni. In January 2012, Mr. Lin also received the CAA Bradford S. King Award for Excellence in Service by a Young Alumnus. He is also currently serving on the planning committee for UC Berkeley’s Sesquicentennial. |
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Bernadette Ma, B.A. Architecture
Previously, Bernadette started her career in Manhattan contributing to notable redevelopment projects such as the One & Two Penn Plazas and the MetLife Building while working at MdeAS Architects, formerly Moed de Armas & Shannon Architects. She later worked at Hill West Architects, a legacy firm of Costas Kondylis and Partners that has built nearly 100 residential towers in Manhattan, where she was involved in the design of multiple ground-up, luxury high-rise residential projects. At both firms, Bernadette worked for some of the most prominent developers in the US, including Vornado, Tishman Speyer and Irvine Company, as well as one of the oldest family-run real estate dynasties in the New York Tri-state area. Bernadette has had her design and writing works archived at the American Institute of Architects San Francisco's Library and published on CLOG, Abstract, Press of Atlantic City and Philly.com. She has taught as a Lecturer in Architecture and was named a Distinguished Visiting Fellow in 2018 at the College of Environmental Design. She has also served as a Co-Chair of the Berkeley Alumni Board of New York and is currently a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at the College of Environmental Design. Bernadette holds a B.A. in Architecture from UC Berkeley and a dual degree in Master of Architecture and M.S. in Real Estate Development from Columbia University. She has traveled to more than 40 countries and has previously lived in Paris, Portuguese Macau, Vancouver, Hong Kong and San Francisco. Bernadette currently resides in Manhattan. |
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Clarence Mamuyac, B.A. Architecture and Landscape Architecture 1981, M.Arch 1985 Clarence D. Mamuyac, Jr., FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, currently serves as chair of the Dean's Advisory Council at the College of Environmental Design. He joined ELS in 1983 and now leads the nationally recognized firm, which has been among the Architect 50 the past several years. The firm’s portfolio includes cultural, educational, sports and recreational facilities; retail and mixed-use projects; urban design; and historic preservation and renovation. Clarence is a national leader in community, education and recreation design, and has a passion for leading clients on a robust outreach and consensus-building effort to a powerful design solution. His work includes sports and recreation centers for UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and the University of Southern California. He is currently working with Canada College on their $90MM Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance facility and with the City of Redwood City on their $100MM Joint Veterans Memorial Senior Center and YMCA, targeted for LEED Platinum. Clarence has presented at national conferences about campus and sports architecture, participates in panel discussions at CED and was a recent guest on The Modern Architect, a Stanford University radio show and podcast. He is a Fellow in the AIA, a past member of the AIA California Council’s Board of Directors where he was honored with a John S. Bolles Fellowship for his contribution to the architecture profession, and a past president of the AIA East Bay chapter. |
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Lydia Tan, B.A. Architecture 1983
Lydia Tan is Managing Director of Real Estate for the Oakland Athletics, where she is leading the organization’s efforts to create a new ballpark district at Howard Terminal and redevelopment of the Oakland Coliseum.
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Warren Techentin, B.A. Architecture 1990
Warren Techentin, is a licensed Architect and the founder and principal of Warren Techentin Architecture [WTARCH] based in Los Angeles. Warren’s work is informed by his long standing interest and study of housing, urbanism, performative infrastructures, and pop culture and their effect on form, space, sustainability, and the participatory dimension of architecture. Warren has worked a wide variety of multi-family housing projects in addition to houses, commercial/institutional spaces, and educational projects. Warren is also a full-time, Adjunct Professor at the School of Architecture at USC where he teaches advanced studios on housing and urbanization. Warren frequently serves on architectural committees and juries throughout North America and is actively involved in a variety of Architectural and philanthropic organizations including Materials&Applications, the Los Angeles Forum for Architecture and Urban Design, and the AIA. Warren holds a B.A. in Architecture from the University of California Berkeley, a Masters of Architecture (MArch), and a Masters of Architecture in Urban Design (MAUD), both from Harvard University. |
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Barbara Wachsman, Master of City and Regional Planning 1983
Barbara Wachsman is a Senior Executive, Director of Health Management at The Walt Disney Company in Burbank. She is the former Senior Vice President at AON Consulting, which focused on health and benefits consulting. Barbara has been a tireless volunteer for the College of Environmental Design over the years, having served on the Board of Directors of the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design Alumni Association. |
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Allison Williams, Master of Architecture 1976
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Judd Williams, B.A. Visual Design1990
In 1975 Mr. Williams’s waterbed frame design was accepted into the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery exhibit and Craft Multiples. This led to a career in designing and building furniture with Gary Foltz dba Williams & Foltz. They created simple modular knock down furniture built to last and recombine over time with a Greene and Greene aesthetic. When personal computers became popular he led the thinking about home office ergonomic notions into the broader furniture industry. Closing his company in 1989 he became a pioneer in stay at home fathers and has raised his girls. This provided time to volunteer with a range of school and nonprofits most notably the Discovery Council of the children's museum, College of Marin Foundation, City of Mill Valley Emergency Preparedness, and CED Alumni Association and Art Practice Alumni. He is currently working on a range of issues to further the transition from petrochemical fuels to twenty first century energy sources. |
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John Wong, B.A. Landscape Architecture 1974
John Wong is Managing Principal and Chairman at the SWA Group in Sausalito, California. He has directed an array of projects, from the design and crafting of small gardens to the large-scale planning and design of neighborhoods, towns, and new communities. He has extensive experience in both North America and Asia — particularly in Japan, Korea, and China. In 2010, Mr. Wong made an appearance in the movie Mission Impossible — Ghost Protocol alongside Tom Cruise (Mr. Wong designed the 27 acres of gorgeous gardens that provided a backdrop for Tom Cruise's stunt on the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai). Over the past two decades, Mr. Wong has led more than 125 campus improvement projects at Stanford University. He sits on the Design Review Committee for the UC Berkeley campus. |
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Joseph O. Wong, Master of Architecture 1974
Joseph O. Wong founded JWDA (Joseph Wong Design Associates), a San Diego-based firm, in 1977 to provide excellent professional services in architecture, planning, and interior design. Mr. Wong has served on the Board of Directors for the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC), a San Diego Redevelopment Agency, and is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. JWDA has been recognized with numerous local and national awards of excellence such as AIA Honor Awards, National Design-Build Institute Honor Awards, and Gold Nugget Grand Awards. In addition, JWDA has an active presence in Asia and the Pacific Rim with offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen. |
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Kenneth P. Wong, B.A. Architecture 1977
Kenneth P. Wong is Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Development of Related Companies where he is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative, corporate and business functions, and the company’s national and international expansion activities. Mr. Wong has over thirty years of diverse experience having overseen the development of a broad range of real estate assets from retail shopping centers to theme parks and planned communities both in the U.S. and international markets and representing well over $20 billion worth of assets. His executive experience includes both development and operating companies, both public and private, bridging the worlds of real estate, entertainment, design and technology. |
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Darrin Woo
Darrin is a co-founder at Blake’s, a real estate investment firm focusing on urban redevelopment projects in Hong Kong. Trained as an urban planner at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London, he is interested in historic neighbourhoods and led a number of retail and residential development projects in Sheung Wan including TwoTwoSix and 208 Hollywood Road. It’s latest projects are located in Sham Shui Po, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the city. He is also a director at Woo Hon Fai Group, a single family office investing in hedge funds, private equity and venture capital. |
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Thomas Yee, B.A. Architecture 1973
Throughout his more than 30 years as an architect, Tom has demonstrated superior capabilities in the design and management of large-scale, complex projects and the coordination of sizable design and consultant teams. An outstanding designer, he also has a proven track record of producing exceptional results within strict budgetary and schedule constraints. His design work revitalizes traditional architectural forms, drawing inspiration from alternative shapes and materials, as well as light and structure. Tom's experience encompasses corporate, civic, and university projects, along with a substantial portfolio of headquarters and regional offices for leading law firms. He has also led the design of multiple commercial and cultural projects within China. |
Former Advisory Council Members
Brian Dougherty, B.A. Architecture 1972, Master of Architecture 1975
Founder, Dougherty and Dougherty Architecture
Gray B. Dougherty, Master of Architecture 2006
Partner, Dougherty and Dougherty Architecture
William Fain, B.A. Architecture 1968
Founder, Johnson Fain
David Friedman, B.S. Civil Engineering 1975
Principal and Chairman, Forell/Elsesser Engineers
Keith Helmetag, BA Architecture 1973
Founder and Partner, C&G Partners
Jackson Hsieh, BA Architecture 1983
Vice Chairman of Investment Banking, Morgan Stanley
Scott Johnson, B.A. Architecture 1972
Founder, Johnson Fain
Bob Lalanne, B.A. Architecture 1978, UCB Parent
Founder, Lalanne Group
Tom Mead, B.A. Architecture 1974
Vice President of Construction Management, Equity Residential
Gabriel Metcalf, M.C.P. City & Regional Planning 2002
President & CEO, SPUR
Michael Painter, B.S. Landscape Arch 1956 (1935-2018)
President, MPA Design
Frederic Schwartz, B.A. Architecture 1973 (1951-2014)
Founder, Frederic Schwartz Architects
Pete Walker, FASLA, Landscape Architecture 1983
Partner, PWP Landcape Architecture
Paul Woolford
Design Director, Helmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK)