When you talk about leadership that endures, you're really talking about influence—and few have influenced SDA's national community quite like Nikki Pierce, CDFA, LEED AP. This year, the Society for Design Administration proudly honors Nikki with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her two decades of dedication to elevating design firm operations, empowering peers, and shaping SDA's educational legacy.

A Journey of Growth

Nikki's story is one of steady growth, grounded in curiosity and service. She began her career at Clark Nexsen in 1999 as a receptionist—a role that quickly became a springboard for her natural leadership abilities. Within a few years, she had advanced to administrative lead in the Charlotte office, and by 2020, she became the firm's Knowledge Manager, helping integrate people, processes, and technology across the organization.

Her colleagues describe her as someone who doesn't wait to be asked.

"When Nikki sees something that needs attention, she takes care of it—or makes sure someone does," recalls one longtime coworker.

That instinct to serve and improve has defined her leadership for more than two decades.

Her SDA Impact

Nikki joined SDA in 2005 through Canstruction's "Canstruct-a-Member" initiative and immediately became active in the Charlotte Chapter—serving as President, Past President, and Treasurer. When the chapter dissolved, she continued her commitment as a Member-at-Large, promoting SDA's mission of education and excellence.

She earned her Certified Design Firm Administrator (CDFA) credential in 2008, joined the National Certification Committee in 2009, and later chaired it from 2012 to 2016. Under her leadership, the Certification Guidebook was extensively revised and the exam strengthened to better reflect the evolving needs of the A/E industry. She returned as Co-Chair from 2020 to 2022 and continues to serve as a valued committee member.

Beyond certification, Nikki has contributed to the National Education Services Committee, Membership Committee, and numerous SDA publications and forums. She has also encouraged colleagues at her firm and across the country to pursue SDA membership and certification, broadening the organization's reach and impact.

Leadership Through Influence

Nikki embodies leadership through influence rather than authority. She mentors generously, collaborates widely, and approaches every challenge with humility and purpose. Her ability to connect people and ideas has shaped SDA's programs and inspired countless professionals to grow their own leadership potential.

As she once reflected in her SDA Secretary application:

"Over time, I have found inspiration in my SDA colleagues. Their articulation and accomplishments have motivated me to push beyond being comfortable in my career and seek out assignments and accreditation I may never have entertained if I had not been exposed to these talented professionals."

That commitment to continual learning and encouragement is the hallmark of her influence.

A Legacy of Leadership

From her years of Canstruction involvement to her role in advancing SDA's certification standards, Nikki's leadership has left a lasting mark on both the organization and the A/E industry. Her influence multiplies through the colleagues she has mentored and the systems she has improved—proof that true leadership isn't about position, but about the difference you make.

SDA is proud to celebrate Nikki Pierce as the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, honoring a career built on integrity, education, and service.

Join the Celebration

Join us in congratulating Nikki Pierce, CDFA, LEED AP, on this well-deserved honor! We invite members and colleagues to share their stories, memories, and messages of appreciation in the comments below.

When it comes to dedication, reliability, and community spirit, SDA Orange County’s Marsha Bastian shines brightly. This year, her years of service and leadership earned her the SDA STAR Award, a national honor presented annually by each chapter of the Society for Design Administration to recognize outstanding members whose contributions exemplify SDA’s values of excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.

For more than five years, Marsha has served as Recording Secretary for SDA Orange County, maintaining detailed and accurate meeting minutes that keep the chapter’s operations running smoothly. Her precise documentation ensures that chapter leaders can reference decisions and discussions with confidence—an often unsung but essential role that reflects her professionalism and attention to detail. “Her notes have been a big help when needing to track what has been discussed or decided at previous business meetings,” shared a chapter colleague.

Beyond her secretarial duties, Marsha has strengthened SDA/OC’s programming by connecting the chapter with expert speakers from her insurance firm, Risk Strategies, helping organize multiple lunch seminars and webinars on topics vital to AEC business operations. Her willingness to share resources and expertise has enriched chapter education and engagement, providing valuable insight for members and their firms.

Marsha joined SDA in 2015, quickly becoming an active participant in nearly every chapter function—from board meetings and professional seminars to networking and social events. Her steady presence and enthusiasm have made her a cornerstone of the SDA/OC community. As one member noted, “She’s just not an attendee, she’s a participant,” a sentiment that captures the energy and initiative she brings to everything she does.

The STAR Award honors SDA members whose exceptional service advances both their chapter and the broader profession. Marsha’s recognition underscores the impact of her commitment to fostering professional excellence and connection within the AEC community. Her contributions demonstrate how consistent involvement, leadership, and generosity of knowledge strengthen the foundation of SDA as a whole.

SDA National congratulates Marsha Bastian on this well-deserved recognition. Her example reminds us that leadership takes many forms—and that attention to detail, collaboration, and community-minded service are at the heart of what makes the SDA thrive.

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!