Here’s the short story:

I’ve been practicing interior design professionally for over 19 years, and have gained a diverse range of design experience across many different sectors: hospitality, food & beverage, luxury residential/mixed use, senior living, higher education, workplace, and adaptive reuse of historic buildings. For the last 10+ years I’ve assumed a leadership role at design firms of both national and global scale, directing design projects, mentoring staff, strategizing studio growth, and curating design culture.

Above all else, I am constantly seeking to learn new things and work through the challenges inherent to that process. To me, design is everything - bring it on!

references available upon request

What I Do

DESIGN PURPOSE + STRATEGY

I believe the best way to start a design process is to gather as much information as possible to determine the “why” for each project, and make sure we’re solving the right problem. I often utilize hybrid/virtual workshops, and digital survey tools to gather relevant data from leaders, stakeholders, and/or staff, which is then analyzed to create relevant insights and opportunities for consideration. This process also identifies that some roadblocks may slow their progress, and includes change management suggestions to ease the transition.

visioning + Design direction

One of my favorite parts of any project is establishing the vision that will set the tone and purpose for the project, and drive all design decisions from concept to completion - it’s also one of the most important. I spend time researching history, place, brand, current trends, culture, customs, and client goals, to best articulate a vision that will resonate with the end user. This vision is expressed with imagery, mixed media, stories, and (on one occasion) poetry - as an artful way to set the tone without directing or defining too much, too soon. I believe this method provokes a more creative response from my team, as they all begin to interpret the vision in different yet complementary ways.

As the design evolves, I am highly engaged throughout the entire process to ensure the vision is maintained while also addressing client goals, program, aesthetic direction, and alignment with brand and purpose. I offer a critical eye and organize internal design critiques to challenge the team and ensure we’re all doing our best work. My influence on the design also extends into the organization of all presentation materials and directing the look and feel of any visual media shared with clients.

DESIGN management

This is the invisible glue that holds things together, and essential to project success. I manage the design team on each project and choreograph the design process from concept to completion. I ensure the design team understands and delivers the full scope of work, and keep internal teams informed throughout the design process. I help determine the best internal team, schedule, and deliverables to align with project fee and client expectations, and prioritize tasks and track progress internally to ensure we achieve these goals without compromising our profitability. I review all documents and deliverables before anything leaves the studio to ensure we’ve met the project goals, as well as our internal design & documentation standards. My ultimate goal is to exceed client expectations and keep them coming back for more.

Managing remote team members is also part of my repertoire, as it’s critical to keep them engaged with the larger team, design culture, and understand the importance of their contributions to the project. This also includes managing remote consultants for projects nationwide to ensure coordination of their scope with the design.

mentorship

I believe in leading by example - if I see or anticipate a problem, I take the initiative to find a solution. I also encourage and teach my teams to develop a similar practice which ultimately makes us more proactive - less reactive. I help my teams take complex processes and break them into manageable chunks so they can focus on the creative process and produce their best work, while also respecting the bottom line. I regularly offer mentorship through both in-person and virtual one-on-one check-ins, visioning charettes, organizing inspirational field trips for the team, or simply providing a book recommendation to develop professional skills.

I have also served as the Director of Professional Development on the IIDA Southwest Chapter Board, a role that advocates for NCIDQ certification for all professional interior designers and provides study materials, testing support, and financial resources to designers needing assistance as they prepare for their exams.

finances

I have experience managing financial tasks that are essential to the “business” of design including preparation of fee proposals, contract negotiation, and scope/fee coordination with clients and consultants. Internally this scope of experience also includes studio staffing plans, revenue projections, labor monitoring, and accounts receivable tracking.

Although I have experience with these tasks, in my current role I collaborate with an enthusiastic team of project managers that manage this scope of work so that we’re aligned internally and positioned for project success, both financially and creatively, on every project.

Marketing + PR

I believe that the best marketing is a happy client, great photography, and a compelling story. I often assist the marketing team with photographer selection, photography staging + strategy, and crafting the story for publications and other media. I also have experience developing leads for new opportunities, as well as directing the design visuals and copywriting included in competitive interviews and proposal responses related to the interior design scope.

I have also participated in interviews for project pursuits, served as an adjunct university professor, professional panelist, and lead presenter of content that promotes both the business and the interior design profession.