MBH Architects today announced a strategic leadership transition that marks an exciting new chapter for the firm. Effective immediately, Jason Dries-Daffner has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Ryan McNulty has been appointed President.
The transition is the culmination of a thoughtful succession plan to ensure long-term stability and continued growth for the 36-year-old firm. Both leaders have played pivotal roles in shaping MBH’s trajectory and exemplify the firm’s enduring commitment to design excellence, service, and people.
“As MBH continues to evolve, Jason and Ryan are the right leaders to guide the firm forward,” said Founding Principal John McNulty. “They have a deep understanding of our culture and clients, and they share an unwavering belief in MBH’s founding vision – a service-driven design practice that creates meaningful careers and lasting impact.”
Fueled by more than three decades of strong client relationships and successful projects delivered around the world, MBH continues to evolve to meet clients’ changing needs. Rapid advances in design and construction technology, coupled with shifts in client operations, make this leadership transition especially timely. The new structure strengthens MBH’s ability to integrate global resources while remaining locally responsive, uniting the firm under a cohesive and forward-looking vision.
As CEO, Jason will focus on strategic oversight and organizational alignment, partnering with firm leaders to shape and execute short-, mid-, and long-term goals across studios and offices. His role includes guiding firm-wide growth in project types, services, markets, and profitability; leading risk management efforts; and ensuring cohesion across all operations through MBH’s integrated structure.
“I’m honored to build on John’s legacy and lead a team that believes deeply in design as a force for connection and impact,” said Dries-Daffner. “Our next chapter is about deepening client partnerships, strengthening collaboration across our offices, and positioning MBH for continued innovation and success.”
As President, Ryan will lead market-facing strategy, overseeing marketing and business development to strengthen MBH’s visibility, partnerships, and client relationships. His focus will be on cultivating new opportunities, maintaining a strong and diversified pipeline, and ensuring MBH remains resilient and competitive in a changing industry landscape.
“MBH’s strength lies in the trust we’ve built with our clients, our teams, and our communities,” said McNulty. “I’m excited to continue advancing that trust by expanding our reach, delivering exceptional design outcomes, and fostering relationships that define our firm.”
Together, Dries-Daffner and McNulty, along with MBH’s Principals and Board of Directors, serve as stewards of the founding vision established by John McNulty. Their complementary strengths reflect MBH’s balanced approach: one grounded in strategic perspective and context, the other focused on connection and growth. Both leaders emphasize that MBH’s greatest asset is its 200-plus professionals worldwide whose diverse expertise and shared motivation form what they describe as a “true force multiplier” for innovation and excellence.
Under this new leadership structure, MBH remains grounded in its founding principles of care, collaboration, and service, values that have guided the firm since 1989, while embracing a forward-looking vision that continues to expand its reach and impact. The firm’s integrated approach, combining architecture, interiors, and retail design expertise, continues to drive its success across markets ranging from life sciences and residential to commercial, hospitality, and retail.
For more information about MBH Architects please visit: www.mbharch.com
About MBH Architects:
For over three decades, MBH Architects, headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been a trusted partner for clients seeking top-tier services in architecture, interior design, master-planning, and environmental graphic and fixture design. MBH’s core areas of expertise encompass mixed-use developments, workspace projects, cutting-edge laboratories, multi-family housing, as well as, retail, restaurant, and wellness spaces.
Spanning the United States and India, and bolstered by strategic design partnerships worldwide, MBH Architects offers the unparalleled services of a mid-sized firm on a global scale with a portfolio of over 10,000 projects spanning 96 countries.
Feature Image Courtesy of: MBH Architects
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