2012 40 Under 40: Frances Yang, PE, LEED AP, 34

Senior Engineer, Arup, San Francisco

By Emma Renee Dutton, Content Specialist May 14, 2012

Frances Yang, PE, LEED AP, 34

Senior Engineer, Arup, San Francisco

University of California at Los Angeles, BS Civil Engineering; University of California Berkeley, Masters in Engineering

With more than 10 years of experience in structural design, materials assessment, and impactful research, Yang uses her background in civil and environmental engineering to analyze, design, and recommend more sustainable improvements to buildings and infrastructure around the world. As a new mom, it has been a challenge balancing the many professional and personal activities she loves, and every new moment is an adventure. She always makes time to give advice as a successful role model, fostering others’ hopes and dreams for shaping their careers. She has effectively communicated the environmental merits of designs that meet sophisticated performance-based design criteria to win recognition from organizations including the U.S. Green Building Council. Such achievements use her breadth of study in lifecycle assessment and building envelope performance. In her years of active committee involvement, she has amassed broad knowledge in green building design, with specific awareness of sustainable structural engineering strategies. She now uses this knowledge to advise the ICC-ES on environmental criteria and on the Carbon Leadership Forum in targeting the Architecture 2030 Challenge for products. She has also developed tools for streamlining incorporation of environmental criteria into the design process. Beyond work, Yang is devoted to her local community and outdoor sporting activities. She volunteers for various bike organizations, as well as for the Mom’s club in the San Francisco East Bay. 

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