The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) announced this week the awardees of its first Ones to Watch program, which recognizes rising leaders in the interior design profession and seeks to ensure that diversity is reflected in all levels of the industry.
The initiative chose awardees and scholars in four categories: Design Excellence, Education Leadership, Manufacturing Leadership and Volunteer Leadership. Emphasis was placed on choosing applicants whose backgrounds are under-represented in management roles in the design industry, including women, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ and persons with disabilities.
“ASID recognizes and supports the need for greater diversity in the design industry,” said ASID CEO Randy Fiser. “Through the Ones to Watch program, we recognize and celebrate designers with an amazing potential to lead, and support them as they grow into successful management careers.”
Seventeen winners were chosen, including eight Ones to Watch Scholars, who will participate in a two-year leadership development curriculum. Winners were selected by a panel of judges who considered the applicants’ intended impact on the design industry, their career success, their portfolio and recommendations. Winners and scholars were recognized at The Leadership Experience: Presented by ASID in San Diego on July 13.
The Ones to Watch Scholars are:
Gracie Andraos, ASID
HKS | Dallas
Design Excellence
Sarah Barnard, Allied ASID, LEED AP
Sarah Barnard Design | Santa Monica, CA
Volunteer Leadership
Nina Briggs, Allied ASID
Woodbury University | Los Angeles
Education Leadership
Kelsey Kees, ASID, LEED AP
SFCS Architects | Roanoke, VA
Volunteer Leadership
Bridget Schmitt, ASID
IA Interior Architects | Chicago
Design Excellence
Angelita Scott, ASID
Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA
Education Leadership
Erin Trofholz, ASID
Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture | Omaha, NE
Design Excellence
Brooke Williams, Allied ASID
The Designer Agent | San Diego
Volunteer Leadership
The Ones to Watch award winners are:
Francisco Barron
HKS | Dallas
Design Excellence
Grace Eun, ASID
Clive Wilkinson Architects | Los Angeles
Design Excellence
Corinn Hanson
BOX Studios | Chicago
Design Excellence
Eric Haydel, Allied ASID
Eric Haydel Design | Boston
Volunteer Leadership
Leah Hofferkamp
HOK | St. Louis
Design Excellence
Julie Liepold, Allied ASID
Liepold Design Group LLC | Millburn, NJ
Volunteer Leadership
Betty Torrell, ASID
Western Carolina University | Sylva, NC
Education Leadership
Natalia Trepchina-Worden, ASID
Design Institute of San Diego | San Diego
Education Leadership
Liz Wirgau
Byrne | Kent City, MI
Manufacturing Leadership
For more information on the ASID Ones to Watch program, visit www.asid.org.
