LRS Architects appoints Janice Sanada as president, marking a leadership transition in its 50th year

Leadership change takes effect as longtime executive succeeds Trish Nixon

LRS Architects has appointed Portland-based architect Janice Sanada as the firm’s new president, a leadership change that took effect last week. Sanada succeeds Trish Nixon, who has held the president role since 2019.

Nixon will remain at the firm and shift her focus toward talent development and the ongoing growth of internal teams, while continuing to lead the Multifamily Housing Studio. The transition comes as LRS marks its 50th year in operation.

Sanada’s tenure and responsibilities

Sanada joined LRS Architects in 2003 and has held a series of senior leadership positions. She was named a principal in 2013 and became managing principal in 2021. She is a licensed architect, NCARB certified, and a LEED Accredited Professional.

In the president role, Sanada is expected to lead execution of the firm’s long-term strategic goals, align day-to-day operations, drive team development, and champion design quality across the firm’s studios. The firm has emphasized continuity for clients and project teams as part of the transition.

Context: ownership and women-led leadership structure

The appointment follows earlier governance changes that reshaped the firm’s ownership profile. In 2021, LRS announced that it had become the largest women-owned architecture and interior design firm in the Pacific Northwest, following the addition of Sanada and Michelle Startt to the majority ownership group alongside Trish Nixon, Dan Purgiel, and Paul Boundy.

At that time, the firm also noted a workforce composition approaching gender parity, reflecting broader shifts in hiring and retention in a field that has historically been male-dominated.

Firm profile and regional footprint

LRS Architects is headquartered in Portland and has positioned its work across multiple building sectors, including housing and other project types. Industry listings for the firm show a sizable staff and projects extending beyond Oregon, reflecting the firm’s growth from a regional practice to one with a broader footprint.

• New president: Janice Sanada (effective last week)
• Outgoing president: Trish Nixon (served since 2019; remains with the firm)
• Key timeline: Sanada joined LRS in 2003; principal in 2013; managing principal in 2021
• Ownership milestone: majority women-owned status announced in 2021

The leadership transition aligns executive responsibilities with the firm’s stated priorities around strategic execution, operational coordination, and staff development as it enters its next half-century.

LRS has not indicated any change in service lines or studio structure tied to the appointment, and both Sanada and Nixon are expected to remain central to client relationships and internal leadership.