In January, AIA Philadelphia members are invited to an evening of fellowship to celebrate the induction of the current Board of Directors and Officers. The program includes the presentation of the Thomas U. Walter Award which is awarded to a chapter member for his/her contributions to the architectural community through service to the American Institute of Architects and its initiatives.

Congratulations to Denise E. Thompson, AIA, LEED AP on being selected as the 2025 Thomas U. Walter Award Recipient!

The Thomas U. Walter Award is presented annually to a current member of the architectural profession and is intended to recognize their contributions to the architectural community through their service to the American Institute of Architects and other related professional organizations. Denise is beyond deserving of this award, and we are happy to present this award at next week's Board Induction.

About Denise

Denise Thompson is a Principal at FCA, where she has been a versatile member of the Healthcare team since 2003. She has a broad range of experience, working on healthcare projects of various sizes and specialties around the region. Denise strives to collaborate closely with all individuals involved in the process to deliver a successful, sustainable project. Within her firm, Ms. Thompson has coordinated initiatives focusing on IDP, ARE prep, Sustainability, Equity Diversity and Inclusion, Office Processes and AIA Continuing Education.

Prior to joining FCA, Denise worked in residential, educational, and religious buildings. She received her Bachelor of Architecture from Temple University and has been a past adjunct faculty member there as well as a volunteer with the Temple Mentorship program.

Ms. Thompson has been a member of the AIA since 2002 and has been an active volunteer at the city, state and national level since 2005. She served as the Associate Director of the AIA PA Board of Directors and then became the Regional Associate Director representing AIA PA on the National Associates Committee. Through participation at the national level, Ms. Thompson has had opportunities to travel across the country representing Associate AIA members in the AIA National Honor Awards Jury, Emerging Professional Component Grant Jury, and the Membership Committee. She then served as the Young Architects Forum Regional Liaison for Pennsylvania and helped start a local Young Architects Forum committee here in Philadelphia. Denise has volunteered with the former Associates Committee, Women in Architecture, AIA/GBCA and COTE committees in the past and in 2010 became an AIA Philadelphia Board Member. She served as the AIA Philadelphia President in 2016 and in 2017 became a Center for Architecture and Design (now DesignPhiladelphia) board member. She has focused on volunteering for the Design in Education program on the steering committee and in the classroom. She also co-chairs the Academy of Architecture for Health Committee for AIA Philadelphia. Her career so far has been focused on mentorship and giving back to the community that has given so much to her. Denise looks forward to continuing to volunteer in the second half of her career and is excited for new opportunities to ensure the next generation can build their own rewarding relationship with design.

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