A Platform for Civic Engagement in San Francisco’s Mayoral Race
As we celebrate 25 years of innovation and community commitment at William Duff Architects, Inc. (WDA), we’re proud to reflect on our role as architects and as active participants in shaping the future of San Francisco. This year, with the city standing at a pivotal crossroads, we launched our *Meet the Candidate Mixer Series*—a unique opportunity for our team and the broader architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) community to engage with mayoral candidates directly.
In 2023, we introduced our Community practice, focused on projects that enrich the fabric of our city. Hosting this series felt like a natural extension of that commitment. Understanding how leadership can drive the city’s post-pandemic revitalization, we aimed to provide a platform where mayoral candidates could share their visions for San Francisco’s future, with a particular focus on topics that matter to our industry and community.
The series kicked off this summer with mayoral candidate and former mayor Mark Farrell and ended with San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safai. Along the way, we had the privilege of hearing from several other candidates, including Mayor London Breed, Daniel Lurie, and Aaron Peskin, each offering their perspectives on housing, transportation, sustainability, and economic recovery.
Sarah Mergy, our Director of Business Development and Marketing, led the organization of the series for WDA. “For me, going into the series undecided was both exciting and challenging, requiring an open mind to each candidate’s vision for our city. I was impressed how the candidates took the time to engage deeply with our attendees, many of whom are architects, engineers, and designers invested in the city’s future. Mayor London Breed, for instance, made a point to stop by just hours before her first televised debate. Daniel Lurie made a point to personally meet all the attendees, and several shared that he followed up with a phone call to thank them for their participation. As the event organizer, Lurie even sent me a handwritten note—an unexpected and thoughtful gesture.”
Throughout these mixers, we did a great deal of listening—listening not only to the candidates’ proposals but also to the feedback and concerns from our colleagues. These gatherings provided a unique space to understand the future of our city from different angles, introducing topics we may not have considered. Whether discussing rent control, transit, or sustainability, each candidate presented their vision with an eye toward how San Francisco can rise to meet its post-pandemic challenges.
William Duff, our Founder and Managing Principal observed, “When you meet the candidates in person they become real people, not just caricatures in the media. I found them to be intelligent, thoughtful and passionate about serving our city. They have different ideas about what it will take for us to thrive, but they all possess the drive to turn their vision into reality.”
By the time we wrapped up the series with Supervisor Safai, the Mission Local newspaper covered the event, highlighting our candid discussions on everything from rent control to urban planning. You can read more about the conversation here.
Looking ahead, we believe these types of engagements will continue to be essential. They strengthen our understanding of civic issues and foster connections within our industry and with city leadership. At WDA, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that enrich our profession and community. We’re excited to see what the future holds for San Francisco as we continue to build a city that thrives.