Board Awards
AIA Kansas City is pleased to honor Board Award recipients each year at our annual Holiday Party. These individuals are true champions of the profession and the understanding of the impact design has on a community.
The Board Awards recognize leadership achievement at significant stages in an individual’s professional development. Awards include:
The Chapter Volunteer Award recognizes a member who provides support to our chapter’s mission.
The Emerging Professional Award salutes young professional leadership.
The Gold Medal Award honors a lifetime of design leadership.
The Firm Award honors outstanding practice contributions.
The President’s Award honors leaders who support the mission of our profession.
Call for Nominations comes out in the fall of each year.
2024 Gold Medal Award
Dennis Strait, AIA
The Gold Medal Award recognizes an AIA Kansas City member for longstanding, distinguished leadership and dedication to architecture, the profession, and the community. The award is our chapter’s highest honor. This award shines a spotlight on a member who, by his or her example and service, has made significant contributions to the advancement of the profession and to the community.
The 2024 Gold Medal Award was presented to Dennis Strait, AIA. A distinguished architect, urbanist, and landscape architect, Dennis has devoted more than four decades to transforming communities and shaping the built environment through visionary leadership and innovative design.
Dennis’s multidisciplinary educational background has enabled him to approach complex urban challenges holistically and seamlessly, integrating architecture, landscape, and urban planning.
At Multistudio, Dennis has held pivotal roles, including Managing Principal of the Kansas City studio and chair of the Board. His career has been defined by sustainable, innovative solutions that enhance the urban fabric and improve quality of life.
Beyond his design work, Dennis is a respected thought leader in urban planning and civic engagement. As co-creator of the “Making a Great City” speaker series in partnership with the Kansas City Public Library, he has brought national experts together to explore urban sustainability, infrastructure, and equitable development.
Dennis’s influence also reaches public policy, where he has spoken on the interplay of laws, taxation, and city growth through organizations like the Urban Land Institute. His projects exemplify a deep understanding of the relationships between people, place, and design, creating vibrant, sustainable spaces that foster community connection.
Dennis Strait is a visionary leader and community advocate whose career reflects unwavering dedication to the advancement of architecture and urbanism. For his transformative work and commitment to creating thriving communities, Dennis embodies the spirit of this honor, bringing thoughtfulness, innovation, and heart to everything he does.
2024 Firm Award
KEM Studio
The Firm Award was presented to an AIA Kansas City Member Firm that has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession and the built environment.
The 2024 Firm Award was presented to KEM STUDIO.
Since its founding in 2004, KEM STUDIO has demonstrated exceptional leadership in architectural innovation, community engagement, and professional development. The firm's interdisciplinary perspective has not only produced award-winning work but has also pushed the boundaries of traditional architectural practice.
The firm's commitment to professional development and community engagement is exemplary. Their active involvement in the AIA Kansas City Chapter is evidenced by multiple Pillars program graduates, leadership in the Young Architects Forum, and the founding of the Monsters of Design Awards.
Their staff regularly serves on various committees and boards, such as KC Design Week and the Center’s board, demonstrating a deep commitment to advancing our collaborative design ecosystem. In fact, Jonathon Kemnitzer was one of the founding board members of the Center.
Beyond AIA Kansas City, their leadership extends into numerous civic and educational roles, including service on the K-State Design Professional Advisory Board, Studios Inc. Board, and Historic West Bottoms Board.
Given their significant contributions to the profession, their commitment to design excellence, and their ongoing dedication to community engagement, KEM STUDIO exemplifies the qualities worthy of the AIA Kansas City Firm Award. Their work continues to advance both the profession and our community, making the firm an outstanding choice for this honor.
2024 Chapter Volunteer Award:
Scott Sayers, AIA
The Chapter Volunteer Award is awarded to an AIA Kansas City member who has given exceptional volunteer support for and made significant contributions to the chapter.
The 2024 Chapter Volunteer Award was presented to Scott Sayers, AIA, for his outstanding dedication and exceptional contributions to the architectural community and beyond.
As an active member of the Advocacy Committee, he has amplified the voice of architects through meaningful conversations in Johnson County and engagements with city council members in both Kansas and Missouri. He has participated in the committee’s City Hall Day for the past 3 years.
His role on the Johnson County Transportation Council reflects his commitment to making a difference and ensuring architects have a seat at the table.
Scott’s contributions extend to education and mentorship. In his six years as a member of the Kansas City Architectural Foundation Board of Directors, he fostered public awareness of architecture and inspired future architects. Through his work with the AIA Kansas City Pillars Selection Committee, he has helped cultivate new leaders for our chapter. Scott was a Pillar in 2011.
Recently, Scott joined the AIA Kansas City World Cup Task Force, preparing for an extraordinary event that will showcase our city and profession on a global stage in 2026.
Scott Sayers epitomizes the spirit of the Chapter Volunteer Award, showcasing unparalleled dedication, passion, and leadership.
2024 Emerging Professional Award
Nicole Harris, AIA
The Emerging Professional Award goes to an AIA Kansas City member who has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in the early stages of their architecture career.
The 2024 Emerging Professional Award went to Nicole Harris, AIA.
Nicole’s contributions during her time at Hoefer Welker were transformative. She spearheaded the adoption of Amber Book resources and created a dedicated test-taking space during the pandemic, showcasing her commitment to empowering emerging professionals. Her leadership inspired Hoefer Welker to invest in future leaders in ways previously unimagined.
Nicole then continued her impact at HFG, securing the firm’s AIA Kansas City membership and becoming their first AIA Kansas City Pillar.
Kelly Whitney stated, “Nicole’s leadership skills were evident very early in her career. Her ability to guide project teams and navigate complex challenges along with her ability to communicate effectively with clients ensures that her projects are successful. She gracefully takes charge of a situation, using her experience to fully understand and apply her findings to her projects.”
Nicole’s involvement with AIA Kansas City is equally remarkable. From joining the Pillars 2022–23 class, to serving on the Pillars Steering Committee, Elections Committee, and now as Co-Chair of the Women in Design Committee, Nicole exemplifies the qualities of an emerging professional: connection, growth, and leadership.
2024 President's Award:
KC Global Design
The President's Award recognizes members of the Kansas City community who has consistently advocated on the value of quality design for the benefit of our community, particularly through the built environment.
This President’s Award goes to KC Global Design. For the past several years, KC Global Design has been an enthusiastic collaborator with our chapter, as our two organizations share many overlapping goals aimed at elevating the profile of our Kansas City architecture and design community
Managing Director, Ashley McDonald has additionally served on the Center for Architecture & Design’s board of directors for the past two years. She helped the Center develop and deliver the D7 National Design CEO Retreat in April, a first-of-its-kind gathering of design association leadership in Kansas City. KC Global Design and KCADC made sure that local, regional, and national media took notice of the D7 gathering.
KC Global Design actively looks for opportunities to partner with AIA Kansas City, the Center, and many of our firms on creative ways to shine a spotlight on our members' incredible talent. They are an amazing ally for Kansas City’s architecture, design, engineering, contractor, and technology community and they promote why it matters on a global scale.
2024 President's Award:
Kathy Nelson
The President's Award recognizes members of the Kansas City community who has consistently advocated on the value of quality design for the benefit of our community, particularly through the built environment.
This President’s Award goes to Kathy Nelson, President and CEO of KC Sports Commission and Foundation and Visit KC.
Kathy has devoted her career to fostering a culture of athleticism, promoting wellness, and elevating the Kansas City community through the power of sports. Her relentless dedication has transformed our city into a vibrant hub for sporting events, attracting athletes and enthusiasts from around the globe.
Kathy's achievements are a testament to the impact that a single individual can make when they embody the spirit of leadership. She has shown us that with passion, determination, and a clear vision, we can turn dreams into reality and achieve greatness in our chosen fields. Kathy's unwavering commitment to excellence is an inspiration to us all.
