AIA Memphis wishes to congratulate Valentina Shands-Puppione, AIA,

2022 Francis Gassner Award Recipient.

The following was written by her colleague, David M. Schuermann, AIA, as a part of the nomination process.

Valentina graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Architecture in 2002 and received her license in 2009. She began with our firm in 2004 as an intern and quickly moved to a principal in 2014. In 2017 she became managing partner.

Her work with the firm includes University Place, the first LEED for Neighborhoods certified project in Tennessee. She also led the team for Legends Park, a new 134 unit multi-family development and neighborhood. Valentina was also lead architect for the renovation of Fox 13 Headquarters, Oden B2B Marketing and Muddy’s Coffee Shop.

Valentina is a member of the Midtown Memphis Rotary Club, Downtown Kiwanis Club and the Tennessee Achieves Mentor group. She serves with the Junior League of Memphis, having chaired the Merry Marketplace in 2011. Valentina sat on the St. Mary’s Alumni Board from 2013-2016, is a graduate of Leadership Memphis and recipient of the Memphis 40 Under 40 Award in 2014.

Professionally Valentina served on the DMC Design Review Board from 2018-2020 and as a Young Leader of the Urban Land Institute from 2009-2013. Her service to the American Institute of Architects is well known. In Memphis she served as IDP Director in 2010 and rose through the ranks to President in 2013. At the Tennessee level she has served on the Board of Directors and became Vice President in 2021. She is slated to be President of AIA Tennessee in 2023. She has received the AIA Tennessee Presidential Award of Excellence, AIA Memphis Member Service Award and AIA Memphis President’s Award.

Her service to the profession and our community over the years is unparalleled. Her dedication to both design and the future of architecture makes her a worthy recipient of this year’s award.

Download Valentina's CV >>>

For more information about the Francis Gassner award and previous recipients, visit the Gassner Award page.