Advancing the Profession of
Commercial Interior Design

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.