HDR’s Vice President Honored for Transformational Leadership at Leaders Breakfast®
The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) announced that Amy Mays, IIDA, Vice President, East Region Director, Interiors at HDR, has been named the recipient of the Chapter’s 2025 Leadership Award of Excellence. Mays was recognized among hundreds of design professionals during the annual Leaders Breakfast® on May 8th at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.
Throughout her career, Mays has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing the interior design profession, fostering collaboration, and mentoring future generations of designers. At HDR, she is a leader in healthcare design, shaping environments that promote healing and well-being. Her passion for design excellence is matched by her deep-rooted dedication to community engagement and industry service.
Within IIDA NY, Mays has held several influential positions, including Chapter President in 2018, President-Elect, and Co-Chair of both the Healthcare Forum and Volunteer Committee. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the DEX Committee, where she helps curate dynamic cross-disciplinary roundtables spotlighting creative voices from architecture, design, and related fields.
At Leaders Breakfast®, peers celebrated Mays’ inclusive leadership style and ability to create impact through both design and connection. In her acceptance remarks, Mays emphasized how IIDA NY has enriched her career in meaningful ways—both personally and professionally. “I look around this room and see so many friends whose relationships I deeply cherish,” she said. “Sometimes the friendships come first, and the partnerships follow—and that’s been true for me. This chapter has provided opportunities for lasting impact and truly transformative moments in my life.”
The IIDA NY Leaders Breakfast® committee honored Mays for a legacy defined not only by the thoughtful, transformative spaces she creates but also by the way she uplifts those around her. Whether leading a team or guiding a project, Mays brings compassion, strength, and a deep commitment to her community. “I believe that leading with positivity and enthusiasm sets the tone for creating value, inspiring collaboration, building trust, and fostering innovation,” said Mays. “The energy we put out into the world is contagious. When we radiate optimism and motivation, we empower others to do the same.”
Leaders Breakfast® has been hosted by eight IIDA chapters across North America with the support of IIDA Headquarters, international benefactor MillerKnoll, and media partner Interior Design magazine. This year’s IIDA NY event continued to serve as a hallmark gathering for the region’s design professionals, celebrating innovation, mentorship, and progress.
About IIDA NY
The IIDA New York Chapter (IIDA NY)—an inclusive community of creative and diverse professionals, industry partners and students—celebrates design, encourages collaboration, shares knowledge and advocates for the interior design community. This professional networking and educational association provides invaluable resources to more than 700 members in 10 specialty forums to enhance their expertise, knowledge and contacts. IIDA NY is proudly committed to design advocacy, sustainability, civic engagement, student mentorship and development, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. For more information, visit: http://www.iidany.org/.