Phil Harrison, who earned a master of architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) in 1993, has been selected to join Harvard University’s Board of Overseers, becoming the first GSD graduate to be elected to the board. Harrison, principal and chief executive officer of the global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will, will begin a six-year term on July 1, 2026.
Founded in 1642, the Board of Overseers—one of Harvard’s two governing bodies—serves as a source of guidance and accountability for the university. Elected by Harvard degree holders, overseers advise university leadership on strategic priorities, participate in reviews of Harvard’s schools and programs, and approve certain major institutional decisions. Harrison’s election represents a notable moment for the GSD, connecting the school’s longstanding contributions to design education and practice with Harvard’s broader governance and future direction.
After graduating from the GSD in 1993, Harrison joined Perkins&Will. Over the next three decades, he worked on projects for education, science, healthcare, and corporate clients while taking on an expanding range of leadership responsibilities across the firm. He became chief executive officer in 2006 and today oversees the firm’s strategic direction and business performance, including initiatives in design excellence, sustainability, research, technical delivery, and long-term organizational development.
A longtime advocate for design education and civic engagement, Harrison has devoted significant time and leadership to Harvard and the GSD. He earned a bachelor of arts in visual arts and philosophy from Harvard College in 1986 and received the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Medal for Academic Excellence while at the GSD. A fellow of the AIA, he served on the GSD Campaign Committee from 2013 to 2018, co-chairing the school’s Grounded Visionaries campaign. He has been a member of the GSD Dean’s Council since 2018 and of the Master of Real Estate Council since 2024. Harrison was instrumental in establishing the Phil Freelon Fellowship, which expands access to design education by providing financial aid to underrepresented students at the GSD.
Harrison’s election to the Board of Overseers marks a historic achievement for the GSD and reflects decades of leadership, service, and engagement with Harvard and the design professions.