IIDA NY Chapter Elects Executive Board for 2020-2021 Term
Three New York Members Acknowledged for Outstanding Service, Commitment
The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) announced the inauguration of its latest Executive Board of Directors for the 2020-2021 term during its annual meeting held virtually this past summer. In addition to the recent announcement of Erin Ruby, IIDA, CID, as Chapter President of IIDA NY, the statewide chapter has elected new positions to the executive board, committee chairs and other leadership positions.
“As newly elected officers and directors of the IIDA NY Chapter, it’s our responsibility to lead the association,” said Erin Ruby. “The welfare and progress of the IIDA NY Chapter’s purpose, high professional standards and dedication to excellence is the controlling force of our actions during the 2020-2021 calendar year. We’re dedicated to exploring new directions in design, expanding the influence of the designer, and supplementing the formal education of our members.”
The new executive board includes Annie Lee (ENV), Past President; Elsie St. Leger (NYU Langone Health), President-Elect; Stacy Marcus (Newmark) & Vanessa Perry (OFS), Vice Presidents of Communications; Larry Cohen (VS America), Vice President of City Centers; Corina Folts (SWBR) & Sarah Levine (Studios Architecture), Vice Presidents of Advocacy; Amy May (HDR) & Stephen Blau (CFI), Vice Presidents of Member Services; Dan Villella (Integrated Design Group) & Robin Reigi (Robin Reigi Inc.), Vice Presidents of Student Development; Haeyoung Shin (Gensler) & Shannon Andrews (HLW); Vice Presidents of Professional Development; Ginger Gilden (IA Interior Architects), Vice President of Sponsorship; and Suzette Rhodes (Herman Miller), Vice President of Events.
The IIDA NY chapter also acknowledged three members with its highest awards. The 2020 Ellen Kushman Distinguished Service Award—which recognizes a member who has demonstrated loyalty, outstanding service and devotion to the IIDA NY—was bestowed to both Sarah Zezima and Natalie Chalker. The award was named in honor of Ellen Kushman, former Executive Director of IIDA NY whose life was cut short by cancer. For outstanding leadership and commitment to the chapter and their community, the 2020 Spirit Award was given to Kim Farrah (HDR).
The Chapter also inaugurated new Directors for its four City Centers. They include Jodi Emmons (roi Office Interiors) & Kim Relyea (Accent NY), Albany City Center; Danielle Lewis (LaBella Associates), Rochester City Center; Marissa Colucci (CPL) & Todd Piotrowski (Carmine Wood Morris), Buffalo City Center; and Lauren Zacher (Architeam), Syracuse City Center.
IIDA NY is a professional organization that unites interior design professionals in the New York area, providing them with networking opportunities, educational events, and charitable initiatives. The chapter includes City Centers, in which a group of 10 or more IIDA Members in a city who organizes and delivers programs of interest to local members.
Moving into the 2020-2021 calendar year, the IIDA NY chapter is committed to drive the conversation of diversity, equality and inclusion in the interior design community. “Equity begins with a personal commitment to make a change,” said Erin Ruby. “We’re proposing a call to action for community engagement through design based service programs or educational initiatives for increased community development.”
About IIDA NY
The IIDA New York Chapter (IIDA NY) is a professional networking and educational association of more than 800 Members in ten specialty Forums. IIDA NY provides its Members with the resources to reach expertise, knowledge and contacts. Networking events allow professionals and industry members to connect on more personal terms that encourage trust, collaboration, and innovation. The Chapter is proud to have been recognized as IIDA Large Chapter of the Year in 2011, 2008, 2001 and 2000. For more information, visit: http://www.iidany.org/.
