IIDA Recognizes Melissa Destree as the 2017 Advocate of the Year
The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is proud to recognize Melissa Destree, IIDA, AIA,principal architect, interior designer, Destree Architecture and Design, as the 2017 IIDA Advocate of the Year. The annual Advocate of the Year Award recognizes an IIDA Member whose dedication and commitment to interior design advocacy has made a significant impact on their design community.
Destree is a member of the IIDA Wisconsin Chapter where she serves as vice president of advocacy. After filling a multiyear-long vacancy, Destree began the process of restructuring and reforming the chapter’s advocacy committee. She has worked alongside IIDA Members and IIDA Headquarters staff to educate Wisconsin policymakers about the impact of the Interior Design industry and solidify relationships with legislators. She also co-planned Wisconsin’s first capitol day in over 10 years.
“Melissa is a tireless advocate who understands how to effectively demonstrate the value of commercial interior design to elected and government officials,” said IIDA Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Director Emily Kluczynski. “IIDA advocacy is locally led and nationally supported, and we couldn’t ask for a better local leader than Melissa.”
For more information about the Advocate of the Year Award or IIDA advocacy initiatives, contact Abigail Rathbun atarathbun@iida.org.
About International Interior Design Association
The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is the commercial interior design association with global reach. We support design professionals, industry affiliates, educators, students, firms and their clients through our network of 15,000+ members across 58 countries. We advocate for advancement in education, design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of interior design as a profession that enhances business value and positively impacts the health and well-being of people’s lives every day. www.iida.org
