EFA 2025 Next Wave Awards
Passion. Creativity. Dedication. These qualities define the emerging leaders reshaping the future of senior living design.
To celebrate their talent and groundbreaking ideas, Environments for Aging proudly presents the Next Wave Awards, a new program honoring professionals with fewer than 10 years of experience who are already pushing boundaries and delivering innovative solutions.
From designing narrative-driven interiors and leading purpose-built community projects to driving sustainability and affordability efforts and redefining wellness-focused environments, the inaugural rising stars are bringing fresh perspectives to the industry.
Nominations to this new awards program were reviewed by the EFA editors, with four individuals rising to the top. Below, you’ll find link to profiles of the 2025 Next Wave Award winners, highlighting the achievements that caught our editors’ attention and providing a glimpse into their vision for the future.
The awardees will also be celebrated at the 2026 Environments for Aging Conference + Expo, March 16-18, in Phoenix. Congratulations to this inspiring class of awardees!
Matthew Funk Barley, interior designer, RLPS Architects (Lancaster, Pa.)
Morgan Pinch, project architect, associate, HKS (Dallas)
Joe Ijjas, senior associate, Soto Architecture & Urban Design (Washington, D.C.)
Carolina Grandelle Steckley, design manager, Curated by Sunrise (McLean, Va.)
EFA’s Next Wave Awards will alternate yearly with the Design Champions Awards, now in its sixth year and celebrating established leaders shaping the senior living industry.
Nominations for the Design Champions Awards will open in spring 2026. Visit efamagazine.com for updates.
Anne DiNardo is editor-in-chief of Environments for Aging and can be reached at [email protected].
