For Liz Reynolds, AIA, WELL AP, good design starts with a simple question: How will this space shape someone’s everyday life?
That mindset has guided her work with our team for nearly a decade – and it’s one of the reasons she has been named a 2026 Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 honoree. The annual program recognizes professionals under 40 whose leadership, accomplishments, and community involvement are making a meaningful mark on the Rochester region. Liz will join this year’s fellow honorees for a celebration in November at The Strong National Museum of Play.
Since joining SWBR in 2017, Liz has grown into a leading voice in our senior living and housing practice. As a Project Architect and Associate, she leads complex projects with an understanding that the environments we create can influence far more than how a building functions. They can uphold independence, encourage connection, preserve dignity, and make daily life feel more comfortable and familiar.
Her commitment to the profession extends well beyond her project work with us. For nearly a decade, Liz has volunteered with the ACE Mentor Program of Rochester, introducing high school students to careers in architecture, engineering, and construction. She now serves on the organization’s board and previously took on the role of Events Director, assisting with fundraising, outreach, and program operations. She’s also shared her experience with future designers as a guest critic at Alfred State College and through local career fairs.
Liz is equally invested in strengthening Rochester’s architectural community. An active leader in AIA Rochester, she currently serves as Vice President and has contributed to the organization’s Design Awards Committee, helping create opportunities to celebrate robust design, connect professionals, and support the next generation entering the field.
We’ve seen firsthand the kind of impact Liz makes through her work, mentorship, and service. We’re proud to see her recognized among this year’s Forty Under 40 honorees and excited to celebrate this milestone with her.