Leslie E. Robertson Associates, R.L.L.P. (LERA), a consulting structural engineering firm, announced that Wing-Pin (Winnie) Kwan has been promoted to partner and named the new director of LERA Shanghai.

Kwan has relocated to Shanghai from the New York City office for her new role. Previously Kwan served as project manager for the Shanghai World Financial Center and Suzhou Museum, and as project director for the OCT Shenzhen Tower and the Jinan Cheda International Financial Center. She also has managed projects in Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan, among other countries.

Kwan earned a BSE in civil engineering from Princeton in 1997 and a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 2001 with a specialization in earthquake engineering. In addition to her work at LERA, she was an adjunct professor at Columbia University in 2011. Kwan was honored with the “40 Under 40” award by the Building Design and Construction magazine in 2011 and a year later was named a rising star by Structural Engineer magazine.

Established in 1923, LERA is known for its innovative use of materials, the development of new structural systems and concepts, and for designing numerous landmark projects, nationally and internationally. Its projects range from bridges, sports complexes and hospitals to cultural facilities, high-rise office buildings and multi-block urban developments.