BIFMA is pleased to announce the election of two new board members to BIFMA’s Board of Directors at the May meeting.
Susan Pilato; Owner/CEO, Mantra Inspired Furniture; Owner/Principal, PC&A Business Environments
As an Interior Designer with years’ experience in commercial interiors, Susan established Mantra Inspired Furniture in 2018 with a focus on the use of wood as the primary material. Sustainability and circularity are mantra’s she leads by. Starting as a regional manufacturer, after winning awards at 2021 NeoCon, Mantra‘s client base expanded quickly and nationally. Susan is active in both the industry and the community currently serving as a Member of the NeoCon Advisory Council, Advisory Board Member for Radford University’s Design Program, Commissioner and Vice Chair for the Norfolk Airport Authority, Board Member of the Greater Norfolk Corporation, Board member of Envision Lead Grow, Chairperson for the Give Back 2 Da Block board, and TowneBank Norfolk Regional Board member.
John Michael, President, North America Contract, MillerKnoll
John began his career with Herman Miller in 2017 as Vice president of Distribution Channels. He now leads marketing, sales and distribution, shared services and the ancillary portfolio for MillerKnoll’s collective brands. Prior to Herman Miller John serviced as Vice president and General manager of business Interiors by Staples and President and COO of Ivan Allen Workspace. He holds a MBA from Queens University in Charlotte NC.
BIFMA President & CEO, Deirdre Jimenez, AIA, NCIDQ, welcomed the election of the new board members. “BIFMA is fortunate to have a board of 15 Industry leaders. I continue to be impressed by the degree of commitment, depth of integrity, and level of passion these leaders have for the industry and their customer markets. BIFMA exists to serve the industry and we look forward to welcoming both Susan Pilato and John Michael to the Board.”
About BIFMA
BIFMA is the leading non-profit furniture trade association in North America with members from around the world. Founded from the call to define uniform product standards for the industry, BIFMA has served as the voice of the commercial furniture industry since 1973 and is now the recognized source for managing and developing furniture standards that embody safety, ergonomics, health, sustainability, and performance that support buyer and specifier communities in making informed furniture selection decisions.
BIFMA further supports the industry providing market data, thought leadership, and industry outreach celebrating design and innovation in recognition of the significance furnishings play in the places we learn, work, heal, and live through product registries, sustainability certification, statistics reporting, government relations, industry promotion, education, networking, and trade development programs. bifma.org