Caltech Names New Executive Director for the Office of Planning, Design, and Construction

Leandra Davis, an established professional in higher education capital and master planning, has been named the new executive director for the Office of Planning, Design, and Construction within Caltech Facilities. She will begin her tenure at the Institute on April 10.

Davis joins Caltech after spending more than 15 years at the University of Pennsylvania, where she most recently led the planning, design, and construction group in the School of Engineering, managing a team of eight project management professionals who oversee interior renovation and new construction projects. In her time at Penn, Davis led master planning and strategic planning initiatives, five-year capital budgeting, and new construction projects as well as advising senior leadership on space allocation and collaborating on sustainability initiatives across the university.

Davis will be responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and coordination of the Facilities staff members who provide planning, design, engineering, and construction services to Caltech. "We are thrilled to have Leandra join our Facilities team," said David Kang, associate vice president of facilities. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in planning and managing complex labs and facilities. That, coupled with Leandra's superb background in sustainability and effective communication, will make her a true asset to the Institute."

Davis received three Penn Models of Excellence Awards and is a trustee on the Board of the Corinthian Yacht Club (CYC) of Philadelphia, where she leads the CYC House and Grounds Committee's master planning, and founded the CYC's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Davis has a BS from Drexel University in interior design, an executive certificate in business essentials from Wharton, is a LEED-accredited professional, and has an MS in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.

"I am energized by the opportunity to collaborate with the Caltech community to build and renovate the Institute's cutting-edge research and education facilities," Davis says. "I look forward to supporting Caltech's research mission and building trust and transparency with the division staff and faculty. I believe in bringing the brightest minds together to ideate and problem solve, and am thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the Facilities team as well as with faculty and staff to plan for and build best-in-class research and education facilities."