PennDesign Dean Announces New Leadership for PennPraxis

Marilyn Jordan Taylor, Dean and Paley Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design, is pleased to announce that Randall Mason, Associate Professor and Chair of PennDesign’s Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, will assume leadership of PennPraxis effective December 1, 2014.

The mission of PennPraxis is to extend design excellence and innovation beyond the classroom and into the community by carrying out practical or applied projects for external clients under the direction of PennDesign faculty. Mason's appointment as Executive Director was unanimously approved by the PennPraxis Board of Directors, who include Steve Golding, University of Pennsylvania Treasurer, Nancy Goldenberg, alumna and Chief of Staff at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Anu Mathur, Professor of Landscape Architecture, Peter Piven, alumnus and Principal Consultant at Peter Piven Management Consultants as well as Dean Taylor. He succeeds former Executive Director Harris Steinberg, who founded the program.

"Randy’s teaching, research, and leadership in our school and university will enable him to work with me, other members of the Board, and the PennDesign community to chart an ambitious future agenda for PennPraxis," Dean Taylor said. "Randy’s skills in building alliances with government and non-profits and serving as a leader in efforts to transform cities in transition demonstrate his great ability to engage stakeholders in meaningful conversations about the future face of cities around the globe."

Previously, Mason worked as Senior Project Specialist at the Getty Conservation Institute, researching economic and social issues relating to heritage conservation and contributing to several Getty publications. His professional experience includes several years of consulting practice. Professor Mason will continue in his role as Chair of Historic Preservation and will be supported at PennPraxis by a full-time Managing Director.