LRS Architects Names Janice Sanada as President

Trish Nixon transitions to focus on talent development and strategic growth, continues as Multi-Family Studio Lead

LRS Architects, a firm that values innovation, creativity, and collaboration, is pleased to announce that Janice Sanada has been named President, effective January 14, 2026. Sanada succeeds Trish Nixon, who has served as President since 2019 and will remain with the firm, transitioning her focus toward talent development and the ongoing professional growth of LRS teams. Additionally, Nixon will continue to lead the Multi-Family Housing Studio.

The announcement comes as the firm enters a milestone year: 50 years of delivering excellence in the architecture industry since its founding in 1976.

Sanada joined LRS in 2003, was named Principal in 2013, and became Managing Principal in 2021. In her new role, she will lead the execution of the firm’s long-term strategic goals, guide day-to-day operational alignment, drive team development, and champion design excellence across studios, while maintaining continuity for clients and project teams.

“This transition is about continuity and momentum,” said Sanada, President of LRS. “I’m honored and excited to step into this role and to build on the steady, thoughtful leadership Trish has built over the years. I’m optimistic about what’s ahead and eager to keep strengthening how we work; staying aligned with our long-term vision, supporting our teams, and delivering the detailed, dependable outcomes our clients trust us to provide.”

The leadership transition is part of the firm’s succession and strategic planning, creating additional capacity for growth initiatives and innovation while preserving the firm’s core values and leadership style. With Sanada overseeing operational and strategic responsibilities, Nixon will be able to invest more time in mentoring, professional development programs, and cultivating emerging leaders across the firm.

Sanada brings more than 30 years of experience and deep expertise leading complex projects, with a focus on senior living and life plan communities, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing environments. A University of Oregon graduate, she is a LEED Accredited Professional and a licensed architect in Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Maryland, Arizona, and Texas. She is also a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE), and the International Code Council Health Care Committee.

“Leading LRS has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career,” said Nixon, former LRS President (2019-2026). “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together so far, and I’m excited to support Janice as she leads the firm forward. She brings clarity, optimism, and a deep commitment to our people and our clients, and I’m confident she will lead with the same humility and grace that have shaped this role so far with her own personal leadership style.”

As LRS celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, the firm will recognize the milestone throughout the year under the theme “Celebrating Form, Function, and Fifty,” reflecting its commitment to a strong culture of collaboration, inclusion, and professional development and inspiring and uniting communities, while developing remarkable people, and earning trust over time.

About LRS Architects

LRS Architects is a majority woman-owned architecture and interior design firm with offices in Portland and Bend, Oregon. Founded in 1976, the award-winning practice is driven by a passion for good design that goes beyond aesthetics to create vibrant communities and spaces that support the well-being of those who inhabit them. With 100+ design professionals, the firm is committed to partnering collaboratively with clients to positively shape the human experience through the physical environment. The diversity of the firm’s project experience provides a broad perspective and proven expertise in design, problem solving, documentation, and project delivery methods. The firm’s work, while centered in the Pacific Northwest, is found throughout the United States in over 30 states and internationally. Recognized with dozens of awards, the practice’s work has been featured in hundreds of publications, including ARCHITECT, Fast Company, ENR, Archello, and Office Snapshots, among many others. LRS holds national certification as a women-owned business through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and is a participant in the International Living Future Institute’s Just Label program. The firm has been named an Oregonian Top Workplace Award Winner annually since 2016. lrsarchitects.com