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.
2025 Gold Medal Award
Trudy Faulkner, 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 2025 Gold Medal Award was presented to Trudy Faulkner, AIA.
Trudy Faulkner has spent more than 27 years shaping architecture and preservation in Kansas City. Trudy’s influence is felt across our design community. She has guided countless architects with her generosity, expertise, and encouragement. Within AIA Kansas City, she has been a dedicated volunteer serving on the Historic Resources Committee, supporting nominating efforts, participating in Pillars and Business of Architecture, and even co-hosting a memorable Masonic Temple program.
Her leadership extends regionally through her work with APT, including co-founding the Central Plains Chapter, helping lead the 2015 International Conference in Kansas City, and serving on the Kansas State Board of Architectural Professions, where she represents the state at NCARB.
At STRATA, her deep experience in preservation, infill, and rehabilitation has helped secure major contracts and guide transformative projects in small communities—from cultural facilities to mixed-use developments and downtown revitalization efforts.
Trudy is both teacher and lifelong learner, respected by contractors, craftspeople, and colleagues alike. Her humor, thoughtfulness, and example shape our office every day.
For her enduring impact on our profession and our region, we are proud to honor Trudy Faulkner with the AIA Kansas City Gold Medal Award.
2025 Firm Award
International Architects Atelier
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.
International Architects Atelier has been awarded the 2025 AIA Kansas City Firm Award, recognizing outstanding leadership, commitment to the profession, and meaningful impact on the built environment.
For more than 30 years, IAA has shaped Kansas City’s civic and cultural landscape with a focus on public and institutional work. Their dedication to serving the public good is clear in projects throughout the region, from thoughtful adaptive reuse to award-winning historic preservation—including the 2024 Historic Kansas City Trailblazer Award for Excellence.
IAA’s collaborative approach has built lasting partnerships with clients and communities. With the capabilities of a full-service firm and the personal attention of a small studio, they deliver design solutions that are functional, responsive, and rooted in place.
Equally significant is the firm’s leadership within the profession. Principals Elizabeth, Majid, and Ava Amirahmadi champion equity, mentorship, and diversity drawing on their own experiences to open doors and strengthen the future of architecture. Their contributions span AIA Kansas City initiatives such as the DBE/WBE Task Force, Women in Design, Equity in Architecture, and the PIERS Mentorship Program.
International Architects Atelier exemplifies design excellence, civic commitment, and inclusive leadership. AIA Kansas City is proud to present them with the 2025 AIA Kansas City Firm Award.
2025 Chapter Volunteer Award:
Nathan Dysko, Associate 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 2025 Chapter Volunteer Award was presented to Nathan Dysko, Associate AIA, for his outstanding dedication and exceptional contributions to the architectural community and beyond.
As co-chair of the Education Outreach Committee, Nathan has dedicated countless hours to mentoring and inspiring students of all ages. His enthusiasm for architecture is contagious, and he makes every student feel supported and excited about their future.
This year, Nathan led our chapter’s inaugural Architecture Week, a visionary effort that set a new standard for community engagement. He connected with local mayors, spoke at city meetings, created all marketing materials, built a resource library for educators, and themed each day to help students “Explore Architecture.” He also coordinated school visits and hosted a high school information night that drew more than 40 students and parents.
Beyond Architecture Week, Nathan serves as a committed member of AIA Kansas City's PIERS Program, mentors emerging professionals within his firm, and engages with college students considering careers in architecture. His humility, positivity, and genuine care make him a joy to work with and an inspiration to all who meet him.
2025 Emerging Professional Award
Megan Strayer, 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 2025 Emerging Professional Award went to Megan Strayer, AIA, an emerging leader whose impact on architecture and our community is already profound.
Megan has played a key role in major higher education and civic projects across the Midwest, including work for the University of Missouri, KU, K-State, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. She builds lasting client relationships while leading projects with confidence and care.
This year, Megan became a licensed architect in Missouri, a milestone reflecting her talent, determination, and pursuit of excellence. She also gives back through leadership in Women in Design, the Pillars Leadership Program, and as Emerging Professional Director on the AIA Kansas City Board, while mentoring the next generation of designers.
Recently promoted to Intern Coordinator, Megan ensures interns have meaningful, enriching experiences. Her compassion, initiative, and collaborative spirit make her a rising force in architecture, shaping the future of the profession while strengthening her community.
Megan Strayer is an extraordinary professional and a true champion of emerging architects.
2025 President's Award:
City of Fountains Foundation
The President's Award recognizes members of the Kansas City community who have consistently advocated on the value of quality design for the benefit of our community, particularly through the built environment.
We are proud to honor the City of Fountains Foundation (COFF) with the AIA Kansas City President’s Award.
Founded in 1973, COFF champions the preservation and care of Kansas City’s public fountains, sculptures, and monuments. With nearly $5 million in endowment funds and close collaboration with KCMO Parks and Recreation, the Foundation ensures our landmarks like the Vietnam Veterans Fountain, Meyer Circle/Seahorse Fountain, and Volker Fountain, are maintained for future generations.
COFF provides vital resources, advocacy, and expertise, helping the City maintain its cherished public art and offering spaces for community, inspiration, and reflection. For over 50 years, its volunteer Board has demonstrated unwavering dedication, skill, and leadership.
AIA Kansas City is honored to recognize the City of Fountains Foundation for its lasting impact on Kansas City’s cultural and civic landscape.
2025 President's Award:
Laura Pastine, AIA
The President's Award recognizes members of the Kansas City community who have consistently advocated on the value of quality design for the benefit of our community, particularly through the built environment.
AIA Kansas City is proud to present a 2025 President’s Award to Laura Pastine, AIA, in recognition of her outstanding leadership and advocacy for the profession.
As AIA Missouri board president, Laura has worked tirelessly to protect local control over building codes and ensure architects’ voices are heard at the state level. Through relationship-building, collaboration, and data-driven advocacy, she has strengthened dialogue with elected officials and fostered a deeper understanding of our profession’s priorities.
Laura’s dedication exemplifies the power of proactive, informed advocacy. She has gone above and beyond to represent architects, support a safe and sustainable built environment, and demonstrate how meaningful engagement can shape policy.
AIA Kansas City honors Laura for her commitment as a citizen architect and for ensuring our profession has a seat at the table.
2025 President's Award:
Vernon Reed, FAIA
The President's Award recognizes members of the Kansas City community who have consistently advocated on the value of quality design for the benefit of our community, particularly through the built environment.
AIA Kansas City is honored to present a posthumous President’s Award to Vernon Reed, FAIA, a beloved member of our chapter who passed away at 90.
Vernon’s career was defined by innovation, leadership, and tireless advocacy for the profession. From founding his own firm in 1965 to serving as AIA Kansas City president in 1988, he transformed long-range planning, initiated programs like the Architectural Tours Series and Speakers’ Bureau, and represented architects in Kansas and Missouri legislatures. At the national level, he helped shape copyright laws protecting the intellectual property of architects.
A graduate of the University of Arkansas and a 1989 Fellow of the College of Fellows, Vernon was also an author, Air Force veteran, mentor, and friend. His “can-do” spirit, dedication to AIA, and commitment to the profession leave a lasting legacy.
AIA Kansas City celebrates Vernon Reed’s extraordinary life and contributions to the architecture profession with this award.
