Every SDA member has a unique story - one that reflects their journey, growth, and connection to our vibrant community. In our new blog series, SDA & Me, we’re highlighting the voices of our members as they share what brought them to SDA, how their experience has evolved, and the moments that have made the biggest impact. Whether it’s professional development, lasting friendships, or unforgettable experiences, these testimonials showcase the value of being part of SDA. Today, we feature Elizabeth Harris, FSDA,  as she shares her SDA journey and what keeps her engaged in our community.

Finding My Professional Identity

I joined SDA in 2005 after discovering it at the AIA Convention in New Orleans. At the time, I was searching for meaning in my professional life. Years earlier, I had walked away from the active practice of law—burned out and unhappy. Running my husband’s architecture firm aligned with my skills and gave me the flexibility I needed while raising our three daughters, but I struggled with my professional identity.

SDA changed that. It gave me a community, a title, and a place to grow. It gave me something meaningful to say when people asked, “So, what do you do?”

Not long after I joined, then-SDA President Deborah Gill drove from New Orleans to Baton Rouge just to take me to lunch. Her pitch? Start an SDA Baton Rouge chapter and join the certification task force developing the Certified Design Firm Administrator (CDFA) exam. I did both. Helping establish SDA’s first knowledge-based certification and launching a local chapter became defining milestones in my professional journey.

The Path to Fellow

While the CDFA builds foundational skills, becoming an SDA Fellow requires five years as a CDFA, significant service to SDA, and a demonstrated impact on the profession. It’s not just about participation—it’s about legacy.

After becoming an SDA Fellow in 2020, I helped develop the Fellows Path2Success program. This experience deepened my perspective—how to create programs that resonate with members, how to measure what we do so we can improve, and how even our “whoops” moments are just stepping stones to excellence. Trust me, there are layers to this organization you can only uncover after you've been around the block a few times!

Productive Partnerships

An unexpected bonus of my SDA journey? The recurring Zoom workshop sessions with SDA Executive Director Stephanie Kirschner. These started when I was MarCom Co-Chair and quickly became a game-changer.

Before I knew the term body doubling or focus time, these sessions became my professional lifeline—a space where we get stuff done. We log on with a list, flesh out ideas, and turn concepts into reality in real time. By the time we sign off, we’ve transformed vague notions into concrete plans—and we both feel like we can conquer the world.

That kind of synergy isn’t just rare—it’s irreplaceable.

Discovering New Skills

SDA has also pushed me to explore new skills I never expected to develop.

Take video content marketing—something I wouldn’t have touched otherwise. As a volunteer on the MarCom team, I took on the challenge of editing raw SDA footage into testimonials. My daughter suggested trying TikTok as a free editing tool. The office Gen Zs encouraged me. I used my architect husband as my test subject, and in the process, I discovered CapCut.

Fast forward—those SDA videos were completed, and my husband's TikTok presence took off, with one video pulling in 3.2 million views. That single experiment led to home construction and renovation contracts totaling over $1 million in construction value. With our fee structure, the time and effort invested in learning video editing more than paid for itself.

Would that have happened without SDA pushing me into something new? Absolutely not.

Looking Forward

SDA isn’t just about past experiences—it’s about what’s next.

Right now, I’m preparing to convert my CDFA to CDFO, taking the exam onsite at EDS25 in Lexington on May 20, 2025. And I’m using the AI skills I’ve polished through SDA to generate multiple-choice questions as part of my study strategy.

That’s the thing about SDA—it doesn’t just provide knowledge, it fosters innovation. It encourages members to explore new technologies, new skills, and new ways of thinking.

My journey with SDA isn’t just about professional growth—it’s about staying ahead of the curve.

Enduring Value

With AI and the internet at our fingertips, it’s easy to assume professional organizations are less relevant. But professional associations like SDA are more critical than ever for aspiring professionals.

After twenty years in the field, I’ve learned one thing for certain: SDA isn’t just an association—it’s where careers take shape, identities are built, and tomorrow’s industry-changing ideas find their foundation.

The future of design firm management won’t be built by AI or internet searches. It will be built by people—connected, engaged, and pushing each other forward.

That’s why SDA still matters.

 And that’s why I’m still here.

Want to share your SDA story? Each member’s journey is unique, and we’d love to hear yours! If SDA has made an impact on your career and connections, reach out to us (admin@sdanational.org) to be featured in a future SDA & Me spotlight. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our amazing members!