Entrepreneurial Spirit: Pursuing Work in New Places

Presenter Information

Name: Denise Campos, and RK Stewart

Title: Contributing Authors, NCARB Continuing Education Committee

Background:

Denise Campos has nearly 20 years of professional experience in public affairs, government relations, media, and community engagement. Campos works at SoCalGas as a media and stakeholder engagement manager. Prior to working in the private sector, Campos had a career in public service that spanned a decade, working for several Los Angeles elected officials. Campos has a long trajectory of community and civic involvement. She currently chairs the California Architects Board Communications Committee and serves on the East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission; she previously served on the City of Los Angeles El Pueblo Historical Monument Authority Commission, as well as many chamber and local nonprofit boards. Campos received bachelor’s degrees in political science and Mexican American studies from San Diego State University.

RK Stewart, FAIA, NCARB, Hon. FRAIC, Hon. JIA, Hon. AIA, has more than 45 years of experience leading and managing organizations as well as multidisciplinary teams in the public and private sectors. He received an undergraduate degree in environmental design from the University of Kansas and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Michigan. His professional experience includes 20 years at Gensler where he was a principal, SOM, Heller Manus, and Perkins&Will. Mr. Stewart was a member of the full-time faculty at Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University early in his career. Currently, he is a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Utah. His experience also includes service on nine accreditation visiting teams for the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), serving as team chair for three of those visits.

His service to the profession includes extensive experience with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS). Mr. Stewart has served on the board and as president of both AIA San Francisco and AIA California Council. After serving as a director on the AIA National Board, he was twice elected a National Vice President before serving as First Vice President/President Elect. In 2007, Mr. Stewart served as AIA President, leading the celebration of AIA’s 150th anniversary. In recognition of his leadership, Mr. Stewart was elevated to the AIA’s College of Fellows in 2001. Mr. Stewart served on the NIBS Board for six years, including as Board Chair in 2013. He’s also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, an Honorary Member of the Japan Institute of Architects, and an Honorary Member of the Australian Institute of Architects. Having previously served on many NCARB committees, he recently served on the Resiliency Task Force and Education Committee and currently serves on the Ethics Work Group.