SDA Awards Committee

The National Awards Committee sets criteria, encourages submittals, and facilitates the selection of winners for all national awards presented at EDSymposium each year.  This includes the Star Award, Best in Class Program, Best in Class Membership, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The National Awards Committee for 2021-2022 is comprised of the following members:  

Laura Heck has been a member of the Minneapolis/St. Paul chapter for nearly seven years.  Her days are spent as a project coordinator at LHB within their Housing Studio.  After hours, she is often in her studio space with a knitting project and a cup of tea, or on a walk with her energetic dog, Juno.

Emily Moline Meyer, CDFA is the Client Engagement Manager at Bernardo Wills Architects in Spokane, WA. She is the Seattle Chapter President in 2022, and is currently studying for her MBA. In her free time (ha!), Emily enjoys gardening, filming beauty tutorials, taking long walks, CrossFit, and the endless renovation projects in their groovy 70's home.

Natalie Newman, Marketing Data Systems Coordinator with ECORP Consulting, Inc.,has been an Orange County chapter member since 2003 and has continuously served on her chapter board since 2004. She also chaired the first annual Canstruction Orange County Design-Build Competition in 2008. On a National level, Natalie has served as National Communications Chair (now MarCom), as National Awards Committee Chair and a Co-Chair, and served as the National President during the 2015-2016 term. When not busy with SDA, Natalie can be found with her face in a book or doing something artsy like painting, jewelry making, creating essential oil blends, planting succulents and loves camping on the beach.

Kim Celenza, Associate and Marketing Manager at Perkins Eastman joined the New York Chapter of SDA in 2013. Kim served as NY Chapter President for the 2018, 2019, and 2020 terms, and co-chairs SDA New York’s Marketing/Public Relations committee. Currently, she is serving as SDA National VP, SDA National Membership Committee Chair, member of the SDA National MARCOM committee, and ExCom Liaison to the Awards committee.  In her "free" time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her pup Arthur.

We have volunteer opportunities for individuals who have graphics skills to update logos and social media announcements, presentation skills for the awards information webinar and awards ceremony, or editing and proofreading skills for awards documentation. We’re looking for individuals with a passion for celebrating our member’s achievements.If you would like to be a part of this this creative committee, please contact Laura Heck at Laura.Heck@LHBcorp.com

The SDA National Certification Committee’s purpose is to administer and oversee SDA’s certification program: Certified Design Firm Administrator (CDFA).  The CDFA is the industry standard in evaluating and promoting A/E/C business professionals. The committee is tasked with advancing the CDFA program, conveying its value, maintaining and updating the test resource guide, and ensuring compliance with the CEU requirements for all CDFAs. 

Our current committee members are:

Co-Chairs:

• Nikki Pierce, CDFA, LEED BD+C, Clark Nexsen, Member-at-Large
• Nancy DeLoatch, CDFA, Wendel, Atlanta Chapter

Members:

• Jessica Berlier, CDFA, Gensler, Member-at-Large
• Drucilla Brookshire, CDFA, CCCA, Retired, Member-at-Large
• Deborah Gill, CPA, FSDA, Profit by Design, Hampton Roads Chapter
• Vincent Lafitte, CDFA, Steven & Wilkens, Atlanta Chapter
• Pat Leyden, CDFA, Retired, New York Chapter       
• Stacy Rowland, CDFA, Berger Partnership, Seattle Chapter
• Annette Scott, CDFA, Clark Nexsen, Member-at-Large
• Kurt Wong, CDFA, Studio Meng Strazzara, Seattle Chapter

ExCom Liaison:

• Anne McNeely, CDFA, Fentress Architects, Denver Chapter

 Why Should Someone Pursue Certification?

• The CDFA is a symbol of professional achievement
• The CDFA signifies your commitment to the design profession and continued proficiency in administration within the A/E/C field
• Validation of expertise in A/E/C firm administration
• Enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem
• Enhanced marketability and ability to compete in the job market
• Increased personal and professional recognition and respect
• Increased opportunities for upward mobility
• Increased level of competency to manage an A/E/C firm office
• A sense of empowerment, accomplishment, and pride
  

What Does the Certification Committee Do?

• Maintain, edit, and update the Resource Guide--laws, policies, technology, etc. all change constantly and quickly; the Resource Guide needs to be an accurate and up-to-date source of information for the design firm professional
• Attend monthly conference calls to discuss ongoing tasks
• Update the exam so applicants are being tested on the most current material
• Create, update, and maintain relevant study materials for CDFA candidates
• Create content to promote the CDFA program and encourage people to apply
• Oversee audit process to confirm compliance with the required 18 hours of CEUs
• Oversee the CDFA testing
• Answer questions from exam applicants on the CDFA-yoU forum
• And the fun part: presenting new CDFAs with their CDFA pin at EDSymposium!
  

How Do You Get Certified?

Look for more information on the SDA website under Certification or ask around in your chapter. 

How Do You Get Involved?

If you’re already certified, perhaps now is the time to mentoring someone else through the process of certification, or start a study group in your chapter or firm.  Consider joining the Certification committee to help others obtain their certification. Contact Nancy DeLoatch, CDFA or Nikki Pierce, CDFA for more information.