
Advancing the Profession of
Commercial Interior Design

About IIDA
The profession of Interior Design positively impacts people’s health and well-being every day and enhances business value all around the world. The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) supports design professionals, educators, students, firms, and their clients through our network of 15,000+ members across 58 countries. In order to continually increase the value and understanding of our work, we provide community outreach and a vibrant community for those interested in design, and we advocate for advancements in design excellence, education, legislation, and accreditation.
About the IIDA Northern California Chapter
The Northern California Chapter of IIDA supports a vibrant, active, diverse community of more than 900 members across six locally focused City Centers.
Through numerous chapter events, we strengthen community bonds, provide opportunities for networking and mentorship, build leadership skills, and celebrate the accomplishments of our peers.

A letter from the IIDA NC President

Dear Members and Friends of IIDA:
I am beyond honored and humbled to serve our one-of-a-kind IIDA Northern California Chapter as President. This year offers hope and optimism that I feel our community has fully embraced. It is a pivotal year. As the world re-emerges from the pandemic, we strive to continue to be a place to call home, a place to return to, to be with others, and to feel whole again. That is the power of our Chapter.
I grew up in this community, and I sincerely believe in the value it brings because I’ve experienced it firsthand. My first involvement with IIDA was while I was a design student at San Jose State. For the past 20 years, being a part of IIDA in Northern California has profoundly impacted my personal and professional growth. Today, I continue to be inspired by the immense power of our community, the work, the friendships, and the Chapter’s commitment to driving positive change in our world.
In the next decade, the profession of Interior Design will continue to play a critical role in solving our times’ financial, economic, and societal challenges. We live in a complex, ever-changing, uncertain world. Our clients embark on complex projects, our communities seek transformational experiences, and we strive to have a real impact on the greater good through our work.
With the leadership of Verda Alexander in the past year, our Advocacy team has been tireless in raising awareness, status, and recognition of commercial interior design in California and beyond.
The EDI team has led a series of tough conversations, unpacking injustice in all forms. In addition, the Climate Action Committee has launched industry-wide “coffee chats” to learn from each other and help solve climate change together.These are just a few of the many initiatives our Board, City Centers, and Committees will continue to drive alongside our Chapter goals for 2023:
1. Grow Our Community – not surprisingly, our Chapter’s membership has dropped in the pandemic years. While we may not fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, we believe that we can grow a more robust, engaged, and active base.
2. Strengthen our Profession – we are re-launching our Mentorship program in a renewed in-person format. The goal is to engage, support, and nurture those in our community who seek professional networks, growth, and career advancement at all levels.
3. Impact Beyond Design – we are great at telling each other how important and valuable design is. But aren’t we preaching to the choir? We want to start telling our story to those outside the design industry, clearly demonstrating our ability to be agents for good in our extended communities.
As challenging and unusual as the last two years have been, I am excited and optimistic about what’s ahead because of all of you. So join us in supporting a better future, design excellence, and the wonderful Northern California IIDA community we call home.
Thank you!

Yana Ronin
2022 | 2023 IIDA NC Chapter President
2020 Chapter
Award Recipient
Gold Level Badge
Every year, the national IIDA organization awards Gold Badges to chapters that exemplify and exceed the standards of the organization for member benefits, enhancing the reputation of the profession, and successful management. For the 2019-20 Board Term, IIDA NC received this honor—one of only two chapters that year!

Our Core Values
Include
Relentlessly pursue diversity to bring everyone with us
Support
Champion our industry and constituents at every opportunity
Connect
Be the grace, love and kindness that brings our community closer together
Change
Be the futurists redefining the profession
Inspire
Teach and mentor the next generation of professionals
Challenge
Collaborate openly for a better future
Celebrate
Share stories and honor the excellence of what we do and who we are
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We are a vibrant community of
City Centers.
Our Chapter consists of six vibrant, locally focused City Centers which host a variety of programs & events throughout the year. Come create connections and support thriving local design communities of students and professionals.
Our community
involvement.
The IIDA Northern California and City Centers partner with other nonprofit organizations to support our continuing efforts towards social responsibility.
By adopting a unified theme each year, we address the most important needs of our local community and focus our work on the communities and organizations where we can have the greatest impact.
PRO BONO PROJECT REQUESTS
If your organization would like to be considered for a pro bono project, please fill out our online form.
