DBIA earned multiple Stevie® Awards in The 2026 American Business Awards®, with both Gold and Silver distinctions across communications, marketing and content categories. This marks DBIA’s fourth consecutive year receiving Stevie® Awards, with five honors in 2026 representing the organization’s highest total to date.
That recognition reflects coordinated work across DBIA’s education, certification, events and industry leadership, aligned through clear strategy, consistent execution and practical information for members and the broader industry.
This year’s awards include:
- Gold Stevie® Award: Danielle Hall, Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations Executive of the Year
- Gold Stevie® Award: Video (Public Service & Activism category) recognizing William E. Reifsteck II, FDBIA, CRIS, 2025 Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award winner
- Silver Stevie® Award: Erin Looney, Communications Professional of the Year
- Silver Stevie® Award: Fred Yi, Communications Professional of the Year
- Silver Stevie® Award: The Design-Build Delivers Podcast, Business Podcast category
Gold Stevie® Award: Danielle Hall
DBIA Vice President of Communications and Marketing Danielle Hall was recognized as Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations Executive of the Year for her leadership in transforming DBIA’s communications into a more proactive, strategy-driven function aligned with organizational priorities. As DBIA’s communications lead, Hall oversees a six-person team and directs brand, content and channel strategy across the organization.
Judges cited the department’s transformation as a defining strength, describing DBIA’s communications as a “proactive strategic powerhouse” and emphasizing its evolution from a “reactive service function into a trusted strategic partner.” Across multiple reviews, they highlighted Hall’s ability to secure resources, build a multidisciplinary team and align staff strengths with organizational goals, positioning communications as “essential infrastructure” for DBIA’s long-term growth.
Reviewers also emphasized Hall’s people-centered leadership style, noting her ability to motivate and develop her team while aligning individual strengths with organizational priorities. Judges described her approach as “an excellent example of a Coaching Leadership Style,” pointing to its impact on team engagement, retention and long-term skill development. Together, this combination of strategic leadership and team development has positioned communications as a core driver of how DBIA operates and grows.
Gold Stevie® Award: Public Service & Activism Video
DBIA earned a Gold Stevie® Award in the Public Service & Activism video category for its tribute to 2025 Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award winner William E. Reifsteck II, FDBIA, CRIS. The video highlights Reifsteck’s impact on the design-build industry and his legacy of leadership. The piece was produced by DBIA Associate Director of Web and Digital Media Fred Yi, who led the creative direction and overall production, bringing together interviews, storytelling and visual execution into a cohesive final product.
Judges praised the work as a “documentary-style approach [that] feels authentic and personal,” noting how the use of reflections from family, colleagues and peers adds emotional depth and credibility.
Across multiple reviews, feedback emphasized the strength of the concept and execution, highlighting its “engaging and meaningful” storytelling, its ability to honor individual achievement while reinforcing broader industry values and its targeted impact when premiered before a national conference audience.
Silver Stevie® Award: Erin Looney
DBIA Director of Content and Strategic Communications Erin Looney was recognized as a Communications Professional of the Year for her work leading DBIA’s content and strategic communications, including editorial direction, production and hosting of the Silver Stevie® Award-winning Design-Build Delivers Podcast and working with Hall to develop integrated campaigns. She manages DBIA’s Digital Communications Specialist and the Communications and Advocacy Intern/Associate, guiding day-to-day execution across channels and coordinating closely with DBIA’s legislation and advocacy team to align messaging and priorities across departments.
Judges highlighted her “pivotal role in creating and delivering a strong voice for the company,” noting that her “integrated media models required strategic planning and understanding in a very competitive industry.” They also called out a “disciplined programming approach” that prioritizes “quality over quantity while getting to the heart of the ‘why.’”
Across multiple reviews, feedback emphasized Looney’s role in aligning messaging across channels, strengthening DBIA’s thought leadership and pairing strategy with measurable results. Judges also pointed to a forward-looking mindset — “constantly reevaluating systems and anticipating audience needs” — and noted this approach mirrors best-in-class communications programs, particularly within a nonprofit environment.
Silver Stevie® Award: Fred Yi
DBIA Associate Director of Web and Digital Media Fred Yi was recognized as a Communications Professional of the Year for his work across multimedia storytelling, digital infrastructure and creative production supporting DBIA’s communications strategy, including leading production for DBIA’s Gold Stevie® Award-winning Public Service & Activism video. He manages DBIA’s Graphic Designer and oversees creative production alongside web and video.
Judges described Yi as “an effective team player” with an “impressive portfolio with imaginative and creative output,” highlighting both the quality and range of his work. They also noted how “boots-on-the-ground” his approach is, pointing to strong results from content initiatives, including measurable impact tied to DBIA’s Bookstore and digital platforms.
Across multiple reviews, feedback emphasized Yi’s ability to combine technical execution with strategic support, contributing to growth in a competitive landscape and helping drive organizational objectives. Reviewers also recognized the scope of his role, noting his strength in handling a wide range of digital work while maintaining attention to detail and openness to new ideas.
Silver Stevie® Award: The Design-Build Delivers Podcast
The Design-Build Delivers Podcast, brought to you by ARKANCE, earned a Silver Stevie® Award in the Business Podcast category, reflecting its continued growth and impact as a platform for industry insights and real-world project discussions. Hosted and led by Erin Looney, the show connects timely, newsworthy topics to practical design-build applications for Owners and industry professionals.
Judges noted the podcast’s “strong voice” and “integrated media model” and described it as “tightly focused and clearly positioned for decision-makers,” with a “disciplined programming approach” that translates industry trends and project experience into actionable guidance through knowledgeable guests and a consistent format.
Across multiple reviews, feedback highlighted steady audience momentum — including 40% year-over-year download growth — and the expansion into short-form video to extend reach beyond long-form episodes. Reviewers also emphasized the show’s appeal to both a core AEC audience and a broader listener base, citing a tone that is “fresh and easy to follow” and an overall listening experience that is “engaging and polished.”
Connecting Strategy to Industry Impact
Over the past three years under Hall’s leadership, DBIA’s communications and marketing team has aligned content across platforms, expanded its reach through multimedia channels and focused more intentionally on the information needs of decision makers in the AEC industry.
That work supports a broader goal of helping Owners and industry professionals access timely information, understand emerging trends and apply Design-Build Done Right® in real-world projects.
A key factor in DBIA’s approach is relevance, ensuring content reflects real project challenges, evolving market conditions and the needs of Owners and practitioners across the design-build community. Rather than expanding output for its own sake, DBIA has emphasized consistency and clarity, connecting communications efforts to education, events and industry engagement.
“These recognitions reflect DBIA’s commitment to delivering clear, relevant and actionable information to the design-build community,” said Lisa Washington, CAE, Executive Director/CEO of DBIA. “Our communications team continues to elevate how we connect with Owners and industry professionals, ensuring they have the insights needed to deliver successful projects.”
DBIA will continue to build on this momentum by expanding its reach, strengthening its content strategy and supporting the successful delivery of design-build projects nationwide.
