All of us here at KGD are excited for colleague and firm Associate Ava Helm, AIA, for being named by AIA Virginia as one of two 2025 Virginia Associates Award recipients recognized for outstanding leadership, creative thinking, and significant contributions to their communities and the profession. Both Ava and Ayesha Shaikh, Associate AIA – the other named recipient, will be formally recognized at the Visions for Architecture celebration on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Richmond Downtown Marriott during ArchEx.

KGD Principal and Co-President Manoj Dalaya says, “We are thrilled AIA Virginia has honored Ava with the Associates Award. Her drive shows – she carved out time to pass her exams and is now a licensed architect, all while making outsized contributions to our firm and the broader community. May her swift rise inspire peers to pursue early licensure and active engagement.”

Click on the links below to see AIA Virginia’s formal award announcement on behalf of Ava as well as a dedicated reel on Instagram!

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