SOM Urban Designer & Planner Ellen Lou, FAIA, AICP, LEED-AP BD+C is now serving as President of the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP), a global organization that provides expertise and guidance to mitigate the impacts of climate change, improve air quality, and support prosperous, sustainable, and equitable cities.

Leading SOM’s City Design Practice, Ellen has authored some of the most visible urban plans in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the Transbay Design for Redevelopment and San Jose Diridon Station Area Plan.

In addition to the ITDP, Ellen has been on the board of SPUR, and leads important planning initiatives including: re-envisioning downtown San Francisco and San Jose’s Neighborhood Planning Framework; and has served on the San Jose Downtown Architecture Review Committee.

“Ellen has helped transform American and Asian cities by focusing on people and the planning essentials that underpin how cities work and grow,” said Board Vice President Janette Sadik-Khan.

“As cities increase in population and face mounting climate and transportation challenges, they need the vision and the innovative strategies that Ellen brings in order to help them grow even more equitably, sustainably, and safely.”