It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of former DBIA National Board of Directors member Stella Serras Fiotes, AIA, DBIA, on Thursday, September 5, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving family. She leaves behind her husband Chris and her daughter Christina following a courageous two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Stella was a cherished member of the DBIA community, known for her extraordinary leadership, dedication and passion for design-build and public service. As a past member of DBIA’s Board from 2016-2023, she played an influential role in shaping the organization. Stella was also an active member of DBIA’s Federal Markets Committee; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee; and Awards Jury, where her contributions were invaluable in advancing design-build’s impact and reach.
“Stella’s legacy, marked by her profound influence on our industry and organization, will continue to inspire and guide DBIA. Her kindness, authenticity and steadfast commitment to both the built environment and the people within it have left an indelible mark on all of us. As we remember Stella, we celebrate not only her exceptional contributions and achievements but also the remarkable person she was. She will be sorely missed.”
–– Lisa Washington, CAE, DBIA Executive Director and CEO
With over 35 years of experience leading large-scale facilities and construction projects for several federal agencies, Stella’s career left a legacy. She served as the Executive Director of the Office of Construction and Facilities Management at the Department of Veterans Affairs, overseeing the planning, design and construction of major projects nationwide. Her career also included leadership roles at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where her influence on facilities management and construction will be felt for years to come.
Born in New York City, Stella held degrees in mathematics from Athens, Greece, and architecture from the Technical University of Berlin. Throughout her career, she maintained a strong commitment to excellence, sustainability and the health and well-being of veterans and government employees across the country. Her legacy will continue to inspire the many lives she touched professionally and personally.
Those who knew Stella will remember her for her generosity, intellectual curiosity and deep dedication to the people and causes she held dear.
Her contributions to her family, society and the design-build community will not be forgotten. A funeral service will be held at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, Maryland, on September 18, 2024, followed by her interment at Quantico National Veterans Cemetery in Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, Stella’s family requests that donations be made in her memory to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.