Member Spotlight

A fun fact about yourself?  

The first career that I wanted with a creative focus was to work for the Art Theft Bureau of the FBI.

What made you want to join IIDA NY?  

I've been interested in joining IIDA since I was a student, and I've been a member of IIDA NY since I moved to New York after school. This was mostly motivated by education and community. While I had always been curious about joining in general, I was eager to learn more about the industry that they didn't teach you in school and to get to know more of the local design community.  

How has your role in IIDA NY evolved during your time as a member?  

Evolution is rarely linear. When I first joined as a committee member, I never would have guessed that I would become IIDA NY president. But the evolution within IIDA adapts as we do, evolving with what inspires us. That growth and evolution is very meaningful.  

What goals do you hope to achieve in your current position?  

I'd like to see IIDA NY's efforts witl1in wellness evolve on all fronts, to not only evolve the impact that we can have on built environments but to investigate how we can better sustain ourselves and our communities. There's a unique opportunity here, at this point in history. I'd love to see what seeds we can plant for the future that engage education, communication, and inclusivity more holistically.  

Do you have any favorite events or memories so far from your time in IIDA NY?  

Favorite events, all of them, because you can always learn something. Favorite memories ... that's tough. If I could rewind time, I wish I could walk into my first Color Invasion or the Annual Meeting for the first time again. 

What would you say is the biggest benefit of joining IIDA NY?  

The community, hands down. Design, for me, has always been deeply rooted in communication. There are so many outstanding minds in our industry and people that are so beautiful because of their differences. That is so special because we can learn so much from one another and support each other in ways we never expected. It's phenomenal.  

How has IIDA NY shaped your professional career?  

IIDA NY has given me the opportunity to learn and refine skills that I don't always use daily or within my job role. It's allowed me to see through a different lens and approach obstacles from a wider range of viewpoints.