As the youngest and first female member of Foster + Partners’ board, Emily Phang is part of a new generation of leadership. To this, she brings more than two decades of experience as an architect, overseeing a portfolio of major projects and international offices. As Senior Executive Partner and Strategic Development Partner, her work is collaborative and focused on the practice’s growth, supporting innovation and quality across every project and team. Emily gained her Masters in architecture at the National University of Singapore, and took the opportunity to spend her fourth year at Newcastle University in the north of England. This early time abroad proved significant, sparking an interest in working internationally and introducing her to the UK. When she graduated in 2001, as many of her peers ventured abroad, she remained in Singapore to work with Foster + Partners on the Supreme Court, then under construction. In 2011, promoted to Partner, Emily moved to Shanghai to establish Foster + Partners' local office. Over her 12 years in China, she played a crucial role in expanding the practice’s presence in China and managing large, complex projects, including the Bund Finance Center. In 2023, Emily returned to London to take on the role of Strategic Development Partner. A natural collaborator with keen business acumen, she works closely with the heads of studio, Managing Partner and Finance Partner to explore opportunities for expansion and new markets. She draws on her own architectural career to help guide the practice’s future direction, ensuring a commitment to sustainable growth and maintaining the highest standards across the world.