welcome

Dear IIDA NY COMMUNITY,

When I came to IIDA NY nearly a decade ago, my "why" was simple. We were an established materials company looking to expand our network through work that felt meaningful. Having taught for many years, Student Development was a natural place to begin.

Through initiatives our team created, like the Hazel Siegel Scholarship, 'SUP, and Career Night, I came to understand something that has shaped how I see this chapter ever since:student initiatives are community initiatives. They reflect our industry and our chapter at their best.

Projects don't happen overnight. They rely on designers, manufacturers, reps, dealers, and industry partners working together to bring an idea to life. Our chapter is strongest when everyone in that ecosystem has a role to play, and we should never take those relationships for granted, especially at a time when genuine human connection feels increasingly important.

That's the thinking behind this year's platform, All In. My goal is simple: to build a culture where more people participate, more voices are heard, and more members feel they belong.

That could mean a student landing their first job, an emerging professional joining a study group, a rep building a new relationship, or a seasoned professional giving back to an industry that helped launch their career. Those moments keep this chapter relevant and valuable.

This year we're focused on strengthening communication, expanding collaboration across our City Centers, keeping our programming relevant to a changing world, and delivering greater value to our Design Firm Advocates and more than 60 Annual Benefactors, whose support makes it all possible. You'll see those priorities reflected throughout the chapter, from advocacy in Albany to sustainability and circularity, mentorship, equity, student and professional development, and the many forums and events that bring our community together.

I believe in the fierce preservation of in-person relationships. There’s something that happens when you put creative people in a room together around something they’re passionate about. You can watch the sparks start to fly. That’s the idea behind my personal initiative: The Loupe, a monthly series that brings members inside A&D firms for candid conversations around the ideas shaping our industry.

This chapter is only as strong as the people who own it, and this year we all play a role. Whether you're a firm leader encouraging your designers to attend events, a rep welcoming someone new and being an ambassador, or a student or designer simply showing up, this is your invitation to make IIDA NY your own. We'll be here to welcome you.

Thank you for the trust you've placed in me. My hope is that a year from now, we'll look back not only at what we've accomplished, but at how many more people feel that IIDA NY is a place where they belong and are truly All In.