Few embody the bridge between education and sustainable design as powerfully as Robin Z. Puttock, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP. With over 20 years of experience in high-performance architecture and nearly a decade in higher education, she has made a lasting impact on both students and the profession. As an Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University and former faculty at the University of Maryland and The Catholic University of America, Robin has advanced sustainability-focused education, mentored national student award winners, and editor of Teaching Carbon-Neutral Design in North America. She currently serves as Chair of the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) at the national level, representing over 10,000 members. Through COTE, she champions the mission of educating architects and students worldwide on the critical role of sustainable design. For her leadership in the classroom, in practice, and across the profession, Robin Z. Puttock is honored with the 2025 AIA Georgia Educator of the Year Award. 

Darral Tate, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, is an emerging leader whose advocacy, mentorship, and service have made a lasting impacton the architecture profession. Based in Atlanta, he has shown exceptional dedication through his national leadership with the American Institute of Architects, including his current role as 2025 Chair of the National Associates Committee. He previously served as Associate Representative to the AIA Board of Directors and on the AIA Strategic Council, where he championed initiatives that support equity and emerging professionals. At SLAM Collaborative, Darral co-founded the firm’s first DEI group and continues to lead by example as a mentor through SPIKE Studio and the Kennesaw State University NOMAS Chapter. A recipient of the 2023 AIA Georgia Presidential Citation, Darral’s work reflects a deep commitment to shaping a more inclusive and representative future for the profession. For these reasons and more, Darral Tate is recognized with the 2025 AIA Georgia Associate of the Year Award.

Tulia Scott, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C is a dedicated architect with over 20 years of experience in Atlanta, known for her excellence in design and strong advocacy for equity in the profession. She is a recipient of the Dorothy Spence Helping Hand Award and has contributed to key initiatives with AIA Atlanta, AIA Georgia, and NOMA Atlanta, where she served as president. 

Tulia actively mentors emerging professionals through AIA and NOMA and has led efforts like the NOMA Pipeline Summer Camp and equity-focused events on housing and inclusion. She has helped expand partnerships between architecture organizations and allied groups to elevate diverse voices in the profession. Tulia also played a key role in organizing impactful programming during the AIA National Convention and continues to serve as a leader in community-focused design. 

Her passion for justice, diversity, and belonging makes her a true embodiment of the values honored by the Carmen Stan AIA Elevation of the Profession Award.

HOK Atlanta, a studio of the global design firm Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, is widely recognized for its dedication to design excellence, community service, engaging mentorship, and leadership development. With a team of over 65 architects, engineers, and design professionals, the firm has embraced these core values as an essential part of its culture for more than a decade.

Design at HOK is rooted in sustainability and driven by the goal of delivering integrated, people-focused solutions. The firm’s projects support impactful work across healthcare, education, aviation, justice, and research. Through initiatives like HOK Impact and the Diversity Advisory Council, HOK Atlanta gives back through pro bono services, volunteerism, and charitable contributions.

HOK Atlanta invests in its emerging professionals through licensure support, paid HOK University hours, and mentoring pathways. By empowering a diverse pipeline of future leaders and championing equity in the profession, HOK Atlanta continues to serve as a model of excellence and impact in the Southeast and beyond.

Oscar Harris, FAIA, is one of the most influential civic architects in Georgia and a visionary whose impact extends across the United States. Through his leadership of Turner Associates Architects and Planners, he helped shape the architectural identity of Atlanta with landmark projects like the Atlanta Airport Atrium, the legendary Centennial Olympic Park, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Visitors Center. Over more than five decades, his work has elevated the public realm while opening doors for underrepresented voices in the profession. His commitment to mentorship, community-centered design, and the advancement of Black architects has left a lasting imprint on the field. Oscar Harris’s dedication and contributions have far exceeded the standard and firmly established his legacy in the profession. He continues to be honored not only for his built work, but also for the generations of architects he has inspired. His career stands as a model of purpose-driven practice rooted in cultural significance and public service.