Mayer/Reed Promoted Emily Morishita to Associate
The firm announced the internal promotion of the SEGD-certified designer following her work on regional projects.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People
Emily Morishita has been promoted to associate at Mayer/Reed, the Portland-based design firm. She is recognized for her professional designation in SEGD and her contributions to high-profile urban and transit projects.
Why it matters
Personnel shifts at local design firms like Mayer/Reed influence the expertise available for shaping Portland’s streetscapes and public infrastructure. Her elevation within the firm marks a step forward for the leadership team behind notable local and regional design initiatives.
The firm confirmed one promotion to associate, a change internal to their Portland office. The total number of personnel currently in the associate-level role remains undisclosed.
The players
Emily Morishita
A designer at Mayer/Reed who has been promoted to the role of associate.
Mayer/Reed
A Portland-based design firm responsible for urban and infrastructure projects.
The details
Mayer/Reed issued the promotion announcement following Morishita's tenure as a designer within the firm. Her portfolio includes work on the Portland West End Street Plazas, as well as the Seattle Pacific Science Center and the Sea-Tac C Concourse Expansion. She holds the professional SEGD designation, which acknowledges her specialized work in experiential graphic design.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: The promotion announcement was published.
Beyond the Bridges
This promotion follows a trend of local firms investing in staff with expertise in complex urban placemaking projects. Morishita’s contributions to the Portland West End Street Plazas serve as a recent precedent for the type of work now being led by the firm’s expanded associate tier.
Residents may see Morishita’s design influence in future public space initiatives around the city. Her new role as an associate means she will take on more responsibility for the planning of upcoming local urban design projects.
The takeaway
This promotion marks a shift in the internal leadership at one of Portland's prominent design firms. Watch for upcoming public space projects and plaza designs to see how new associate-level leadership influences the city's built environment.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts across the city, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Journal of Commerce.
