Member Spotlight

A fun fact about yourself?  

I’m an Amazon Vine Reviewer. In addition to critiquing student work, I also critique products on Amazon. My home and my parent’s home are filled with free Amazon products. My favorite things to review are pet toys and holiday snow globes. I do a lot of HEPA filter reviews. The strangest item I’ve had to test, and review was a portable (battery powered) bidet.

What made you want to join IIDA NY?  

I joined IIDA NY at Hazel Siegel’s invitation back in 2015 when I was the director of an undergraduate program. Hazel was a big part of IIDA NY, and she invited the deans, chairs, and directors of schools to annual IIDA NY dinner gatherings. Since my first attendance at the annual gatherings, I got to know more and more IIDA NY members and continued my relationship and committee work through IIDA NY colleagues.  

What position do you hold within IIDA NY, if any? What is the most rewarding aspect of this role?   

I’m a co-chair of the College Ambassadors Committee, along with Julia Glazer, my co-chair, who works at OFS as their Architecture and Design Market Manager. I’ve enjoyed working with Julia because she keeps me up to date on the industry side of things. As an academic administrator and educator, I sometimes don’t branch out enough into the industry to connect our students to the real world. This IIDA NY role gives me the opportunity to connect our interior design students to design professionals and dealers. I’ve enjoyed watching out students’ careers blossom as IIDA student members.  

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

I hope to train future committee members and/or students to step into leadership roles within IIDA NY. I also hope to create a tighter bond between all the interior design programs within New York State, both upstate and downstate.  

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

I’ve really enjoyed IIDA NY winter holiday parties. They were always a great opportunity to catch up with industry colleagues. 

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

I work mostly with students, so I would say that the biggest benefit to joining IIDA NY as a student member is the opportunity to participate at portfolio review, resume review, and career night events.   

How has IIDA NY shaped your professional career?  

IIDA NY has helped me to connect our students to our industry colleagues. When students ask for mentorship and/or internship advice, I always direct them to the next IIDA NY Knowledge Forum student event. I’ve also worked closely with the IIDA NY Advocacy Committee where we’ve joined forces with ASID NY Metro and CIDQ to advocate on behalf of the interior design profession. Based on my Advocacy committee work, I’ve represented IIDA NY at the (NYSED) Interior Design State Board meetings for the last few years.