Samantha R. Markham, AIA
Samantha Markham, AIA, is a 2026 recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. She advances the profession through mentorship, educational design, and leadership that expands opportunity for future architects.
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StantecSam has devoted her career to public education projects, using her passion for community involvement and engagement throughout her work. Gunn JH and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy, Arlington Independent School District. -
Texas Society of ArchitectsSam partnered with industry colleague Kyle Kenerley, AIA, to collaborate with UTA architecture and interior design students to design, build, and install the Pipeline Timeline exhibit for the 2023 TxA Annual Conference. -
AIA National Young Architects ForumSamantha served on the AIA Young Architects Forum as the 2022-2023 Young Architect Representative for Texas. She was part of the Community Workgroup and focused on mentorship efforts.
Samantha Markham, AIA, is a senior associate and North Texas K–12 market leader at Stantec, where she leads the design and delivery of impactful educational environments. Her work reflects a deep commitment to public education, with more than 2.7 million square feet of K–12 projects shaping learning experiences and supporting communities across Texas.
A catalyst for change, Markham has built scalable pathways for emerging professionals through mentorship and program development. She founded and grew Stantec’s North American Buildings Intern Program into a continent-wide initiative, creating opportunities for hundreds of interns while connecting design work to community impact through pro bono projects.
Her influence extends deeply into the profession and community. Through leadership in AIA, the Texas Society of Architects, and the ACE Mentor Program, she has mentored hundreds of students and helped expand access to architecture for underrepresented communities. Her work demonstrates the power of a “ripple effect” investing in individuals to create lasting, generational impact on the profession.
The Young Architect Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.
See all the early career architects recognized for exceptional work.
Ceara O’Leary, AIA, is a 2026 recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award. She is recognized for her human-centered design approach and dedication to mentoring the next generation of architects.
