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2025 Project of the Year Finalist: Wynwood Works
Wynwood Works is named a 2025 Project of the Year Finalist by ULI Southeast Florida / Caribbean.
2025 Young Leader of the Year Announced: Aaron DeMayo
September 4, 2025
ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council is proud to name Aaron DeMayo, Founder of Future Vision Studios as the 2025 Young Leader of the Year
ULI’s Young Leader of the Year Award honors inspiring industry professionals aged 35 or younger whose outstanding achievements and contributions are advancing the industry and positively shaping our region’s communities.
Aaron is an architectural designer, urban planner, and civic leader who, at only 35 years old, has already become a driving force in shaping a more resilient, connected, and livable future for South Florida.
A passionate advocate for climate resilience, public space, mobility, and green infrastructure, Aaron’s influence has already been felt across our region, where he’s become known as a steadfast advocate for Miami’s future and for advancing innovative, research-driven, community-focused solutions to some of our most urgent challenges.
Aaron is recognized for his holistic, multi-disciplinary approach and for finding “win-win” strategies that balance climate solutions and environmental stewardship with economic practicality and community building.
As Founder of Future Vision Studios, he leads a firm that develops design and planning strategies with a strong emphasis on functionality, efficiency, and people-centered design—integrating nature and mobility to create lasting value. His work spans small infill projects to large-scale multifamily towers, as well as mixed-use, hospitality, office, and urban plans.
Aaron is deeply committed to resilience. After witnessing severe flooding events in Miami, he began documenting king tides and storm impacts, contributing data that helped calibrate the City’s Stormwater Master Plan. In 2023, he authored the “Connect and Protect Plan,” a holistic alternative to the USACE’s coastal storm risk management report, advocating for green infrastructure and a regional approach to protect hundreds of miles of coastline while enhancing mobility and public space.
Since 2024, he has served as Chair of the City of Miami Climate Resilience Committee, advancing policy in areas including green infrastructure, tree preservation, and waste reduction.
As a leading voice for pedestrian and bicycle safety, Aaron has served on the Miami-Dade TPO 2050 Bicycle-Pedestrian Master Plan Working Group and worked with the Biscayne Neighborhood Association on a collaborative effort to complete the missing segments of the Baywalk. Since 2023, he has chaired The Underline Advocacy Committee, reviewing projects that intersect with this transformative public space—reflecting his belief that infrastructure should connect, not divide, communities.
Beyond civic leadership, Aaron serves on the AIA Florida Resilience Committee, organizing continuing education on land use, zoning, and housing affordability. He also chairs the ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean Young Leaders Group’s Resilience Subcommittee, where he co-led a Miami21 zoning changes task force and helped produce the Miami 21 to 2100 White Paper, offering zoning recommendations for a more affordable, resilient, and sustainable future.
His work on climate adaptation and urban planning was highlighted in a PBS documentary, Dynamic Planet, and has been covered by numerous international news outlets for his advocacy on critical environmental issues affecting Biscayne Bay. In 2023, he was honored with the Young Urbanist Award by the Miami Center for Architecture and Design.
At every scale, Aaron’s work demonstrates a meaningful commitment to creating a more livable, sustainable, and enjoyable built environment for all residents of South Florida. ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean is proud to recognize him as a changemaker whose vision and dedication are helping our region adapt, thrive, and lead.
Join us in recognizing him at the 2025 Vision Awards
Thursday, November 20th at the JW Marriott Marquis, MiamiPast Honorees:
2024: Alfonso Costa Jr. – Chief Operating Officer, The Falcone Group
2023: Aaron Stolear – Vice President of Development, 13th Floor Investments
2022: Alec Bogdanoff – Principal and Co-Founder, Brizaga
2019: Jaime Sturgis – Founder and CEO, Native Realty
About the Awards
One of ULI’s guiding principles is that achievement of excellence in land use practice should be recognized and rewarded. Through the annual Vision Awards, ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean recognizes the top leaders and best projects in our local region – those that exemplify ULI’s commitment to responsibility in land use and development. These honorees are the people and projects setting the standards for our industry, improving our communities, and guiding our future.
Now in its 17th year, the annual Vision Awards event brings together the top land use leaders and practitioners throughout Southeast Florida and the Caribbean.