Barbara Wilks, FAIA, FASLA, is a leader in the design of urban, public, and institutional projects who founded W over 25 years ago. With almost 50 years of combined experience practicing both architecture and landscape architecture, she is a passionate advocate for reconnecting our urban spaces to nature and provides a distinct perspective and ability to unify spaces and connect communities. “Seen as a whole, we can no longer distinguish ‘Nature’ as a place apart or separate from human endeavor and habitation. We are immersed in and shaped by it. Embracing this is essential to how we live and design.” While Barbara is stepping back from day-to-day operations, she continues to work with W on special projects, providing her insightful and visionary design advice, especially to transformational projects at the water’s edge.