James Miner Joins CannonDesign as Executive Director of East Region

In this firmwide leadership role, James will advance our strategic growth and design impact, both across the firm and with a specific lens on the East Region. He’ll specifically champion the continued success of our teams in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore as they deliver bold, thoughtful design across markets.

“James is a force in the design industry,” said Brad Lukanic, CannonDesign's CEO. “He understands what it takes to scale impact and lead with vision. His ability to connect strategy with our ambition to expand our influence, while attracting and growing top-tier talent, will be a powerful force as we continue to grow across the East Region."

James spent 22 years at Sasaki and led the firm for over ten of those years. During his tenure, he helped expand the firm’s global presence, strengthened its integrated design approach and positioned it as a leader in creating resilient and equitable communities. As a planner, his portfolio spans urban infill, strategic land development, regional planning and corporate and higher education campuses, all with an eye toward long-term sustainability and positive social impact. 

At his core, James is a connector. He believes the most powerful outcomes emerge when talented people align around shared purpose. That’s what he’s most excited to do in his new role. 

Recent and ongoing CannonDesign work across the East Region includes Memorial Sloan Kettering’s new Cancer Pavilion, Building 201 at Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory, the Margot Connell Recreation Center at Boston College, the Petrocelli Surgical Pavilion at North Shore University Hospital, as well as multiple library renovations for the New York Public Library and aquatic centers for Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, among other standout projects. 

Based in Boston, James is an active civic leader and currently serves on the board of trustees for Boston Harbor Now, a nonprofit that champions resiliency and inclusive access to the Boston waterfront and the Boston Harbor Islands. He’s also a former board member of A Better City and a past member of Fast Company’s Impact Council. He holds a Master of Urban Planning from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Science in Art and Design from MIT. He is an active member of the American Planning Association, continuing to stay engaged in shaping the future of cities and communities.