As we close out another extraordinary year at Diaconia, we’re taking a moment to reflect, not on the venues, décor, or celebrations themselves, but on the people and partnerships that make our mission possible. This season, our teams came together for two holiday gatherings rooted in gratitude, service, and recognition.
While each event has its own distinct energy, one hosted at the historic Athenaeum contemporary art gallery in Alexandria, VA, and the other among historic aircraft at the Museum of Aviation at Warner Robins AFB, both share a common purpose: honoring the individuals who carry our mission forward every day.
Honoring our 2025 SPARK Excellence Awardees
One of the most meaningful traditions we hold is our team awards for excellence. This year’s SPARK Excellence Award Ceremony served as a recognition of team members who not only deliver exceptional work, but who embody our core values of service, problem-solving, agility, resilience, and knowledge. These individuals shine through their humility, their consistency, and their commitment to each other and the mission.
This year, our CEO, Praveen Singalla, presented the SPARK Awards at both events. Praveen’s leadership is rooted in the belief that excellence is not an act, but a habit, one practiced daily across every program, project, and partnership. The SPARK Awardees exemplify this belief, and we are honored to celebrate them among peers, mentors, and friends.
A Moment of Appreciation for Praveen
At the Georgia celebration, our team members shared a special surprise with Praveen: a military-style Guidon flag created in true Air Force tradition. The flag includes ribbons representing each client agency we serve, a visual symbol of the progress we’ve made as a small business and the meaningful missions our teams support.
This gesture reflects not only the tremendous respect the team has for Praveen’s leadership, but also the collaborative spirit that defines our culture. Every ribbon on that guidon stands for a relationship built, a challenge met, and a mission advanced.
Celebrating Community – Not Ceremony
The photos from each event may capture beautifully decorated spaces and joyful moments, but the real story is the people filling those rooms. Our teams showed up ready to connect, reflect, and celebrate one another. These gatherings are not about extravagance. They are about gratitude: for the clients who trust us, for the leaders who guide us, and for the teams who deliver with unwavering excellence.
As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with deep appreciation and renewed purpose. Our mission has always been about service, to our clients, our colleagues, and our communities, and that remains our guiding light.
To our SPARK Awardees, Praveen, and every member of the Diaconia team: thank you for advancing together with courage, creativity, and heart.
With Gratitude to our Event Partners
Both celebrations were made possible thanks to the talented vendors and partners who helped bring these gatherings to life with care, creativity, and professionalism.
For our DMV event, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Zadia + Eddie for their incredible live performance; the Athenaeum gallery staff for their hospitality; amazing food and service staff at WellDunn catering; to Lafhaj Studios for capturing the evening; Sign A Rama GB for event signage and photo props; and Ink’d Stores for custom apparel and gifting support.
For our Georgia celebration, we are grateful to the Museum of Aviation staff, and their Festival of Trees coordinators, Mike Davis, GM at Best Western, fantastic catering and photography by Events by London Alexis, the Heritage Club lounge, our awesome DJ from DS Pro Sounds & Lighting, and Super Custom Signs.
Your partnership and dedication helped create warm, meaningful experiences for our teams, thank you for being part of this year’s celebrations.
