Shirley Blumberg collaborates with Paulo Rocha at the KPMB office in Toronto. Photo by Maris Mezulis For nearly 30 years, it has been an immense privilege to work alongside Shirley Blumberg and Marianne McKenna, two of the founding partners of KPMB Architects. From my early days as a 22-year-old graduate to my progression as Partner, the mentorship and leadership they have provided has profoundly shaped my career and personal growth in architecture. Shirley and Marianne’s guidance has been crucial to the success of every project we’ve collaborated on. They have an extraordinary ability to blend creativity with pragmatism, raising the quality of our work across diverse projects. Their insightful direction has been invaluable. They have consistently challenged me to ask deeper questions, to explore beyond the obvious, and to continuously push the boundaries of what is possible. Their commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and understanding of context has led to designs that are functional and inspiring. At a time when diversity and equity are central to every conversation, I’ve had the unique privilege of working in what feels like an anomaly in the broader field. At KPMB, where a diverse leadership team includes two visionary women at its forefront, their leadership has shown how diverse voices contribute to creating stronger, more innovative solutions. Shirley and Marianne’s contributions to the profession have been transformative, offering a much-needed fresh perspective in a field long dominated by men. Together with the rest of the leadership team, their work exemplifies the power of inclusivity, demonstrating how it can humanize the practice and drive meaningful change. Both Shirley and Marianne have shown the importance of excellent communication, meaningful client relationships, and staying true to one’s values. Working at KPMB, under their leadership, has been an enriching experience that has shaped my evolving perspective on architecture. They have greatly impacted Canadian architecture through their extraordinary projects and their unwavering dedication to inclusivity, sustainability, and community. I speak for all the partners at KPMB when I say that working alongside Shirley and Marianne has been a rare and rewarding experience—one that continues to inspire and challenge the boundaries of architecture. The 2025 RAIC Gold Medal is a fitting recognition of their extraordinary contributions over the course of 40-plus years.  Congratulations, Marianne and Shirley.  Paulo Rocha is a Partner at KPMB Architects. As appeared in the 2025 RAIC Gold Medal issue of Canadian Architect magazine (May 2025) The post 2025 RAIC Gold Medal: Passing the torch appeared first on Canadian Architect.