As Woods Bagot’s newest North American Principal, Sandra Ventura’s journey so far is a testament to her versatility, dedication, and commitment to bringing up others around her.

After over 13 years with Woods Bagot, Sandra Ventura has been promoted to Principal in the San Francisco studio. Known for her versatility, Sandra has cultivated broad experience across design, technical aspects, and project management – making her an invaluable part of the Woods Bagot global leadership team.

As a project leader and designer, Sandra stands out for her multi-faceted approach and commitment to building nimble teams. Upon joining Woods Bagot in 2011, she applied her extensive experience working on large-scale projects in Asia to the complex task of spearheading multiple designs for the Apple retail store group –ultimately delivering over 60 stores across the U.S. and Canada.

From there, Sandra’s passion for aviation led her to shift focus – starting with the LAX MSC South project. Her approach to team building is noteworthy, emphasizing diversity and inclusivity. When putting together the team that would bid for the project, she actively sought to include minority firms and ensure a balanced gender representation when selecting partners that would realize the project together.

“As lead architects, it’s our responsibility to bring diverse voices to the table. Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a crucial element in creating innovative and representative designs. We have the power and the duty to ensure that minority firms and women are not just present, but integral to our projects,” she affirms.

When asked about her enthusiasm for large aviation projects, Sandra replies “Aviation projects are not just architectural feats; they are vital projects that serve communities and countless people. These projects are designed for everyone and embody the spirit of inclusivity.”

Mentoring is another important aspect of Sandra’s leadership style. She has leveraged smaller project teams as opportunities to train younger staff, imparting valuable lessons within tight timeframes. Her experience with both quick-turnaround workplace projects and long-term aviation endeavours each offer unique learning opportunities. She is proud of the fact that several of her mentees have been successfully promoted at Woods Bagot.

Studio Chair Patrick Daly: Sandra’s elevation to Principal in the San Francisco Studio is proof of her exceptional talent and leadership over her more than 13 years with the company. Whether working as Project Architect or Project Manager, Sandra provides a consistency and exactitude to all of her project leadership roles. Sandra has gained the trust and confidence of her clients as well as her colleagues. As principal, she will undoubtedly continue to elevate both our people and our projects. Congratulations Sandra well deserved.

Sandra’s background as part of an immigrant family in Los Angeles has deeply influenced her career perspective. A great lover of the arts, she views architecture not merely as a profession and a means of making a living, but as a creative outlet that allows her to support herself and her family while doing what she loves.

A graduate of both MIT and Parsons School of Design, Sandra deeply appreciates the privilege of her college education, which opened doors beyond her parents’ experiences. Now a mother herself, Sandra feels that motherhood has only reinforced her career commitment:

“We all want our children to be happy and fulfilled, but you can’t forget yourself and what you love to do. At the end of the day, the children move on and will make their own way. Don’t lose yourself, because being a mom is just one piece of who you are. It’s an important piece, but just one facet of your identity.”

When asked what she is most excited about for the future of Woods Bagot, Sandra’s enthusiasm is evident, especially regarding the evolution of Studio California. She and Los Angeles principal Matt Ducharme have built a collaborative model through their work with Apple, demonstrating how resources and revenue can be seamlessly shared across studios. This approach transcends geographical boundaries, with team members supporting one another regardless of location. “We look out for each other” she says.

Sandra’s vision extends beyond the current successes, aiming to forge an even stronger connection between Woods Bagot’s North American studios. By enhancing collaboration between San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, she sees an opportunity to amplify the firm’s capabilities and take on more ambitious projects. This strategic integration will not only expand the firm’s project portfolio but also foster a more dynamic and collaborative work environment, allowing the team to tackle complex challenges with greater creativity and efficiency. It’s a living example of Woods Bagot commitment to being a multi-studio, cross-disciplinary organization.

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Agna Brayshaw
Content and Communications Leader (New York)