Nawabi took the helm of AeroVironment in 2016, a tenure marked by rapid expansion and high-stakes innovation. Under his leadership, the company’s market capitalization surged from $500 million to approximately $10 billion. His strategic direction led to the $4.1 billion acquisition of BlueHalo in 2025, a move that bolstered the firm's capabilities in directed energy, cyber, and space communications. Beyond corporate growth, Nawabi steered the company through historic milestones, including the Ingenuity helicopter’s flight on Mars and the deployment of Switchblade drones in Ukraine.

The selection committee highlighted a career trajectory that mirrors the spirit of the award’s namesake. Born in Afghanistan, Nawabi fled the Soviet-Afghan war at age 14 before eventually settling in the United States. He often characterizes his work at AeroVironment as a personal mission to protect the values of his adopted country. Suzanne Fuentes, president of the Aero Club, noted that Nawabi successfully pivoted the organization from its roots in experimental human-powered flight to a primary supplier of battle-tested autonomous systems. He joins a list of past recipients that includes Neil Armstrong, Elon Musk, and AeroVironment founder Paul MacCready.