The City of Delray Beach is proud to announce that Anthea Gianniotes, Development Services Director, has been awarded the prestigious Centennial Medal by the University of Miami School of Architecture. This honor, established as part of the University’s 100-year legacy, recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to the profession, the built environment, and the communities they serve.

The Centennial Medal celebrates leaders whose careers exemplify excellence in planning, design, and community impact. Recipients are selected for their professional achievements and for serving as aspirational role models to the next generation of architects and planners.

“Ms. Gianniotes’ vision, leadership, and deep commitment to public service have shaped the growth and vitality of Delray Beach for more than two decades,” said Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney. “Her contributions to our Downtown Master Plan, form-based code, and preservation initiatives have created a lasting legacy that continues to benefit residents, businesses, and visitors alike. This recognition is a testament to the far-reaching impact of her work.”

Gianniotes’ career has been defined by transformative accomplishments that have left a lasting mark on Delray Beach. She played a pivotal role in creating the City’s Downtown Master Plan, adopted in 2002, a visionary document that continues to guide the growth and vitality of downtown more than two decades later. Her leadership helped shape Delray Beach into a vibrant, walkable, and livable community admired across Florida and the nation. In 2015, she spearheaded the development of the City’s award-winning form-based code and architectural design guidelines, ensuring that downtown growth respected both community character and future sustainability. These efforts included extensive public engagement, where her ability to communicate complex planning concepts fostered trust and collaboration.

Since joining the City as full-time staff in 2017 and becoming Development Services Director in 2019, Gianniotes has led a wide range of innovations to improve efficiency, accountability, and customer service. She oversaw the launch of e-Plans and e-Services, which modernized permitting, improved transparency, and reduced turnaround times.

Gianniotes will be honored at a Centennial celebration hosted by the University of Miami School of Architecture on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., where she will be recognized alongside other distinguished alumni.

For more information on the Centennial Medal and the celebration, please visit arc.miami.edu.