News & Updates

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Paola Moya Featured in M&T Bank’s CommunityLIVE
MARCH 13, 2025
Paola Moya, CEO of MOYA Design Partners, was recently featured in M&T Bank’s CommunityLIVE session, celebrating her inspiring leadership and journey as a Latina entrepreneur. Click to read more about Paola’s impactful conversation and her dedication to empowering women in business.

MOYA Design Partners Inspires Future Architects at Easterseals STEM Event
MARCH 13, 2025
This week, Paola Moya and the MOYA Design Partners team had the chance to inspire the next generation of architects! Join us as we share our experience with young students at Easterseals Silver Spring, MD, and how we sparked their creativity through architecture. Click to read more about this special event and the future of design.

Celebrating Excellence: MOYA Design Partners Wins Two Viddy Awards
JANUARY 21, 2025
MOYA Design Partners is thrilled to announce that we’ve won two prestigious Viddy Awards for our work in short-form video storytelling and social media campaigns! Click to discover our award-winning projects and the creative vision behind them.

Moya’s Mixology Cocktail & Mocktail Book
december 11, 2024
This cocktail book is more than just a collection of recipes; it’s an invitation to create and savor those unforgettable moments. Each drink has been thoughtfully curated to inspire creativity and delight, whether you’re hosting a lively gathering or enjoying a quiet evening at home. At the heart of every sip is a story, and at the heart of every story is the joy of connection. Through this book, we hope to spark new memories and cherished traditions, uniting people around the universal language of a great drink. Cheers to togetherness, creativity, and the moments that make life extraordinary!

Phase 1 of Big DC Project Nears Completion
May 16, 2024
The Iris, a striking 13-story mixed-income development in D.C.’s NoMa neighborhood, is opening this summer, blending affordability and luxury. Offering 430 units—including 86 affordable homes—it’s part of a visionary three-phase redevelopment of the former DCHA headquarters.
With state-of-the-art amenities like a rooftop pool, coworking spaces, and eco-friendly features, The Iris exemplifies modern urban living. Curious about the innovative partnerships and broader impact of this redevelopment?

MOYA Newsletter: Connect & Commute
October 05, 2023
MOYA is driving change with six active transit-oriented development (TOD) projects spanning various design and construction phases. Highlights include the Takoma Metro housing community and the Forest Glen mixed-use development, both designed to enhance sustainability, boost public transit usage, and elevate urban living. From award-winning designs to affordable housing initiatives, MOYA is redefining the architectural landscape.

MOYA Newsletter: Connecting the Dots
January 26, 2023
In just five years, MOYA has grown from a solo dream to a 40-member team delivering award-winning architecture, interiors, and visual design. Highlights include the Historic Randle Highlands Center, Sansé and Naja affordable housing, and 2.6M SF of designed spaces.
With 2,238 housing units slated for completion by 2025, MOYA’s collaborative and diverse approach continues to redefine urban development and community impact.

WAN Female Frontier Awards: Pioneering Award | Paola Moya
May 31, 2022
Paola Moya, founder and CEO of Moya Design Partners, has been honored with the prestigious Pioneer Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the global built environment. This award celebrates women who exemplify leadership, innovation, and excellence in architecture and design, while also promoting best practices and supporting talent across the industry.

La Vicepresidenta Kamala Harris se Reúne con Empresarias Latinas
September 29, 2021
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris praised the vital contributions of Latina entrepreneurs to the nation’s economy during a meeting with Latina business leaders. Highlighting their dual role as minorities and women, Harris emphasized the importance of increasing access to capital for small businesses led by women and minorities.

Paola Moya Visits The White House
September 29, 2021
Vice President Kamala Harris and Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán recently hosted a roundtable discussion with five Latina business leaders, including Paola Moya of Moya Design Partners, to celebrate their contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month. The event focused on Latina entrepreneurship, challenges like access to capital, and the Biden-Harris Administration’s initiatives, including the Build Back Better Act. These efforts aim to support minority-owned businesses and address systemic issues affecting small businesses and women entrepreneurs.

Barragán & VP Harris Meet with Latina Entrepreneurs
September 29, 2021
Vice President Kamala Harris and Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán recently hosted a roundtable discussion with five Latina business leaders, including Paola Moya of Moya Design Partners, to celebrate their contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month. The event focused on Latina entrepreneurship, challenges like access to capital, and the Biden-Harris Administration’s initiatives, including the Build Back Better Act. These efforts aim to support minority-owned businesses and address systemic issues affecting small businesses and women entrepreneurs.

Paola Moya: A Feature Piece
September 27, 2021
Paola Moya, a visionary architect and entrepreneur, is reshaping Washington, D.C.’s urban landscape through impactful designs and community-focused initiatives. From leading iconic projects like the Howard Theatre renovation to advocating for affordable housing, her work has earned national recognition.

Back to the Office: The New World of Work
May 3, 2021
In a recent Bisnow webinar, top architects and designers, including Paola Moya of Moya Design Partners, discussed the future of office spaces in a post-pandemic world. Key topics included flexibility in design for hybrid work models, the role of technology in enhancing health and wellness, and the growing focus on equity in urban development. Discover what’s next for office design and how these trends will reshape workspaces in 2025 and beyond.

D.C. Architecture and Design Update
March 24, 2021
How You’ll Do More Business As we anticipate returning to a post-pandemic world, now is the time to discern which pandemic trends are here to say in D.C.’s design world. Learn how D.C.’s top architects are making the difficult decisions of which projects to take on, how to creatively finance and design them in today’s environment and their outlook on future D.C. design trends. Who Attends: D.C.’s top architects, owners and developers, those investing in the beautification of Washington D.C. and more.

Leadership Insights from Paola Moya
December 18, 2020
Paola Moya, founder of Moya Design Partners, has always integrated social impact into her designs. From affordable housing for displaced people to creating spaces for survivors of domestic violence, Paola’s projects reflect her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Learn how Moya Design Partners is using architecture to drive positive change in communities.

Meet the 40 Under 40 class of 2019
September 10, 2019
Paola Moya, Founder and CEO of MOYA Design Partners, was recognized in BD+C’s 40 Under 40 for her leadership in architecture. She founded her firm in 2017 and has since grown it to 20 members. A passionate humanitarian, Moya provides pro bono design services for nonprofits and has spoken at industry events like AIA and NOMA conferences. Off-duty, she enjoys marathon running, Muay Thai, and salsa dancing.

F. Clogg Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award: Paola Moya
April, 2018
Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard met with past Alumni Association presidents in March, celebrating the college’s legacy of leadership. Alumni achievements took center stage this spring with the Alumni Awards. Honorees included architect Paola Moya ’05, DC senior advisor and “Rising Star” awardee Christian Barrera ’08, sports legends Gene Thomas ’89 and Melissa Weithman ’05, and Hughes Network Systems VP Jim Muir ’75. The event showcased the diverse accomplishments of Montgomery College alumni across fields.

Museum Celebrates Women’s History Month with Compelling Cross-Generational Program
February 21, 2017
On March 7, the National Building Museum hosted an impactful event in honor of Women’s History Month. The event featured a powerful conversation between Beverly Willis, a pioneering architect, and Paola Moya, CEO of Marshall Moya Design. Moderated by design journalist Aileen Kwun, they discussed the evolution of architecture, the future of design, and the critical role of women in architecture.

AIA Announces Winners of 2017 Innovation Awards
October 30, 2017
The AIA has announced the 2017 Innovation Award winners, celebrating projects that utilize cutting-edge technology in architecture. Among the winners are the Bahá’í Temple of South America in Santiago, Chile, and The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Paola Moya, CEO and principal at Marshall Moya Design, served as a juror for the awards, contributing her expertise in architectural practice and innovation. The awards highlight excellence in design and project delivery, recognizing groundbreaking approaches to architecture, construction, and sustainability.

Paola Moya: From Taking Care of Dogs to Renovating Building Landmarks
November 30, 2016
Paola Moya, a dynamic architect and co-principal at Marshall Moya Design, has been shaping the architectural landscape since her arrival in the U.S. in 1998. Known for her sustainable housing prototype for internally displaced people in Cartagena, Colombia, Paola’s work spans diverse projects, including the renovation of the historic Howard Theater in Washington, D.C. In this article featured in Fox News, Paola discusses her journey, the evolution of architecture, and her commitment to making a positive impact through design.

How This Colombian Immigrant Went From Dog Walker To CEO
April 13, 2015
Paola Moya’s journey from immigrating to the U.S. from Colombia in 1999 to becoming the CEO of Marshall Moya Design is nothing short of inspiring. Faced with the challenges of limited resources, Moya started as a dog walker while working to support her family and pursue her dream in architecture. Now, at 34, she reflects on her remarkable growth, from taking a break in her education to earning a master’s degree in architecture and ultimately becoming a leader in design. Moya’s perseverance was recently recognized when she received the Minority Business Leader Award from the Washington Business Journal.

Minority Business Leader Awards: Paola Moya
March 20, 2014
Paola Moya, CEO and principal of Marshall Moya Design, was recognized for her leadership as a minority business owner. Originally from Colombia, Moya transitioned from law to architecture, founding her own firm in Washington, D.C. Her firm has become a prominent player in the architecture and design industry, serving both commercial and public sector clients. Moya continues to break barriers, advocating for small firms in a competitive industry dominated by larger firms.

The Challenges Of Reviving A Legendary Theatre
April 17, 2012
The Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., once abandoned and in disrepair, has been revitalized through the vision of architects Michael Marshall and Paola Moya. Their redesign transformed the historic venue into a modern space, incorporating walnut-paneled walls, high-definition screens, and innovative hydraulic lifts. The renovation preserves the theatre’s cultural legacy while adapting it for contemporary use, blending history with modern functionality.

CNN: Latino in América, Paola Moya
June 11, 2012
Paola Moya shares her inspiring story of immigrating from Colombia to becoming CEO of Marshall Moya Design. Highlighting her passion for community-driven architecture, she reflects on overcoming challenges and shaping spaces that inspire. A testament to creativity and leadership, her journey continues to empower others.

Our American Dream: Paola Moya, From Dog Walker to Architect
June 6, 2012
From overcoming her fear of dogs to leading award-winning architectural projects, Paola Moya’s journey is one of determination and success. After immigrating from Colombia, she pursued architecture, earning degrees and creating innovative designs like the Howard Theatre renovation.
Moya’s story inspires immigrants and dreamers alike. Read more about her impactful journey and visionary work.