Keynotes & Featured Presentations

This session is currently sold out. It can be livestreamed on neocon.com and The Grand Stair at THE MART.

About the Speaker:

Annie Jean-Baptiste is a business disrupting tech executive and the author of Building for Everyone, the first book about building inclusive products across the intersections of 12 dimensions of diversity. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in International Relations and Political Science with distinction. She formerly served as an intrapreneur in residence at the University Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, a facilitator for Penn’s Chief Learning Officer Business Acumen program and a member of both the CTA Health Equity and Access Leadership (HEAL) Coalition and sits on the IEEE&’s Executive committee, Ethically Aligned Design committee and co-chairs the DEI committee. She’s been inducted into the Haitian Roundtable’s 1804 society as “One to Watch” and inducted as one of the 30 Black Stars for Face to Face Africa in 2019. Annie is a former American Heart Association spokesperson and a One Young World ambassador, focused on healthy lifestyles in underserved communities. She is also a former Hack the Hood mentor. Annie is also the Director of Product Inclusion & Equity at Google. She leads Product Inclusion & Equity strategy across the company and consults with various Alphabet companies, including consultation, communications, scale and research and created the movement as a way to ensure historically marginalized users felt validated throughout the product design process. She formerly led & created programs related to diversity talent management and career development within several technical product areas within Google. She’s been covered in The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Essence Magazine, TechCrunch, Forbes, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, InStyle, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC, Cheddar, Business Insider, the Huffington Post, the Root, the Council of Fashion Designers of America Annual Report, The Miami Times, Bustle, Boston Globe and Fortune Magazine and was voted into Ebony Magazine’s power 100 list for 2022 and ADCOLOR in tech award, Boston Design Week’s 2024 Social Impact Winner, and currently serves as a Webby’s Executive Judge. She most recently was announced as a United Nations Equity 2030 Executive Champion.

This session is currently sold out. It can be livestreamed on neocon.com and The Grand Stair at THE MART.

About the Speaker:

Alice Rawsthorn is an award-winning design critic and author, whose books include Design as an Attitude, Hello World: Where Design Meets Life and Design Emergency: Building a Better Future, co-written with Paola Antonelli, senior curator of design at MoMA, New York. Alice’s weekly design column for The New York Times was syndicated worldwide for over a decade. In all her work, she champions design’s potential as a social, political and ecological tool. Born in Manchester and based in London, Alice is a founding member of the Writers for Liberty campaign for human rights and the global advisory council of the DemocracyNext research and action institute. She was chair of trustees at Chisenhale Gallery, Hepworth Wakefield and Michael Clark Company, and a trustee of Whitechapel Gallery and Arts Council England. Alice is a co-founder, with Paola, of the Design Emergency Podcast, YouTube channel and research platform, which investigates design’s role in forging a fairer future.

This session is currently sold out. It can be livestreamed on neocon.com and The Grand Stair at THE MART.

About the Speaker:

Chris Barton wanted a way to identify songs anywhere he heard them. There wasn’t one – so he invented an app called Shazam. Chris’s creation is nothing short of pure magic. Chris seeks to delight people by using technology to make seemingly impossible ideas come to life. Shazam is just one of them. It changed the way the world discovers music and laid the groundwork for the consumer AI industry we know today. In addition to creating Shazam, Chris holds twelve patents and played key roles in the early days of Google and Dropbox. Chris’s newest venture, Guard, aims to use AI to detect drowning in swimming pools – a never-before accomplished effort. In his speeches, Chris’s story and storytelling completely captivate audiences. He inspires people to make big things happen in their organizations – to create magic in defiance of the obstacles.

This session is currently sold out. It can be livestreamed on neocon.com and The Grand Stair at THE MART.

About the Speakers:

Tom Polucci, FIIDA, serves as the Director of Interiors and Chair of Interiors Board at HOK. Tom’s responsibilities and achievements in the firm’s high-profile design market are remarkable. He has over 30 years of expertise in managing the design of corporate office projects for some of the most recognizable companies in the world. He has served as the principal designer on hundreds of projects. Educated, trained, and licensed as an architect, Tom brings a unique perspective to interior design; his focus is on creating an exceptional three-dimensional space for clients. Tom leads numerous initiatives at HOK including the annual publication HOK Forward as well as numerous white papers on neurodiversity, sustainability, tech clients and most recently wealth management. Tom works closely with the leadership of Experience Design, HOK’s studio dedicated to branding and client experience as well as the Consulting and WorkPlace leadership teams. Outside of Tom’s responsibilities at HOK, Tom is a member of the Board of DIFFA National and a member of the IIDA Equity Council.

Jessica Bantom, Assoc. IIDA, serves as the Global Leader of Equity, Diversity, and Belonging at DLR Group. With over 20 years of experience, she works diligently to help designers increase their cultural competence so they can create in ways that honor humanity. At DLR Group Bantom develops and leads equity initiatives and outreach to ensure their culture and commitments resonate with all employee-owners, instilling an authentic sense of belonging. She is a member of their executive team and partners with firm leaders to move the firm to a consistently equitable, diverse, and inclusive design culture.

Joey Shimoda is curious about anything beautifully designed. A lifetime of searching has created an exceptional architect, planner, and interior designer. His expertise, passion and thoughtfulness lead to inspired and tailored solutions. Born in Alabama and educated in California, wanderlust has led him to live in Florence and London. In 2000, he and Susan Chang founded Shimoda Design Group in a loading dock in the artist district of Los Angeles. Notable clients include; Rolex, Bad Robot Productions, TOMS, Steelcase, Bloomberg and Tishman Speyer. Joey is one of the rare designers who is a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

Erin Jennings, IIDA, AIA, NCIDQ, NCARB is Principal for Luminaut. She fosters passion and compassion through elevating the human experience in the built environment; with focusing on how the design imprint can impact positive behavioral, cognitive, and physical growth. Jenning’s research and design practice brings over 20 years of experience studying the psychology of space and the impact the environment has on overall human well-being. She has worked on several award-winning new construction and renovation projects with many public and academic libraries, schools and communities, integrating best practices and evidence-based design techniques into every project. Her deep passion subsists in creating dynamic and immersive learning environments, where she brings strong leadership and a multi-disciplinary approach to each project she designs. Jennings believes that successful spatial experiences are built from innovative approaches coupling empathy, design technicality, and environmental responsibility.

Moderated by Mark Bryan.

Mark Bryan is a Senior Foresight Manager at the Future Today Strategy Group and leads the Built Environment, Hospitality, Retail, Restaurants & CPG practices. He has also authored and provided insights into the Supply Chain, Logistics, and Manufacturing industries. Prior to FTI, Mark worked as a workplace strategist, designer, design researcher, and futurist for clients across the country, most recently through his role as Director of Innovation + Research and Senior Interior Designer. Mark’s portfolio of clients includes national foundations, global CPG companies, international associations, product manufacturers, national retail brands, higher education institutions, nonprofits, multi-family developers, healthcare systems, senior living facilities, restaurants, and large corporate clients. Mark has developed research surrounding what leaders need to know about the future of workplace culture and authored several whitepapers on topics such as co-living strategy, distance learning, and senior living facilities. In his work at FTI, Mark has explored the future of communities, digital interactions, supply chain and logistics, geographic cities, the workplace, immersive experiences, hotels and restaurants, design, manufacturing, urban planning, engineering, and artificial intelligence’s impact on various industries and sectors.

For this lively discussion, we’ve assembled perspectives from an office designer, corporate end user and workforce strategist, who will establish, not just if we are returning to the old way of work but what a progressive future of work could be.

This session is currently sold out, but can be livestreamed on neocon.com and The Grand Stair at THE MART.

About the Speakers:

Lee Pasteris partners with clients to create distinctive designs that transform context into compelling stories and unparalleled experiences. She is dedicated to expressing the individual character of each space through extraordinary interior design solutions. Blending her passion for design, global culture and wellness, Lee brings a distinctive perspective to her work. She leverages her broad experience and insatiable curiosity to craft experiential designs that resonate with each clients' unique personality and brand. Drawing inspiration from her own fitness-focused lifestyle as an avid runner, swimmer and martial artist, Lee designs spaces that foster connections between people while enhancing wellness and sustainability. Her enthusiasm, creativity and collaborative spirit translate to inspiring and timeless design solutions on a variety of high-profile projects. As a Design Principal in the Gensler LA office, Lee promotes a research-driven process, continually seeking innovative ways to incorporate materials into architectural spaces. Through a holistic approach to design, she seeks to spread a vision of enduring beauty, functionality and refinement. Lee’s knack for bringing rich textures and unexpected finishes together with practical functionality has made her a go-to expert on a wide variety of projects. One of her passions is researching materials and how they can be incorporated in innovative ways—from architecture and interior design to carpet and furniture design. She has also received Gensler Research Grants for the study of high-performance fibers and is an accomplished product designer.

Megan DeTratto is a seasoned leader with over 15 years of global Talent Acquisition expertise in the design and building industries. Her career combines consulting and corporate experience, specializing in strategies for multi-generational workforces within the AEC sector.

Ms. DeTratto has a proven track record of recruiting and developing talent across all levels, from early-career professionals to senior executives. She fosters a culture of growth and mentorship, nurturing early-career professionals into senior leaders. This commitment to sustainable workforce development is a hallmark of her expertise.

At DesignForce, Ms. DeTratto focuses on building high-caliber, diverse teams that drive excellence. Her dedication to creating inclusive and effective teams underscores her role as a leader in talent acquisition. With a strong background in both consulting and corporate environments, she brings a unique perspective to her work, ensuring that her strategies are tailored to meet the evolving needs of the industry.

Cindy Tyeskey-Gage is seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in high-tech and telecommunications. Her career includes significant roles in project management, sales and global call centers, notably leading Oracle's global advisory board team before joining Salesforce over a decade ago. She holds degrees in Economics, Telecommunications and an MBA focused on Organizational Behavior. At Salesforce, Cindy has been instrumental in launching the first six industry advisory boards and advancing Executive Programs by creating Account-Based Programs for high-value customers, transforming the go-to-market strategy. Currently, she leads the Global Center for Excellence for Employee Relations (ER), where she has introduced smart technology, automation, and AI to enhance ER's effectiveness, providing valuable business insights and trends. Her leadership is redefining the company's approach to social geopolitical influences, employee experience and risk management

Moderated by Grace Snelling.

Grace Snelling is a journalist focusing on product design, branding, art, and all things Gen Z. Her work has included an exploration into the wacky world of Duolingo’s famous mascot, an interview with the New Yorker’s art editor about the scramble to prepare a cover image of Donald Trump post-2024 election, and an analysis of how the pineapple became the ultimate sex symbol. Before joining Fast Company in 2023, she wrote about the local arts and culture scene for St. Louis Magazine.

About the Speakers:

With years of experience, and more than six at Partners by Design, Ian Preston, Project Designer, brings creativity, dedication, and fun to each project, aiding clients from design conception through completion. His background in hospitality management gives him a uniquely fresh approach to design that translates into thoughtful, considered spaces. Ian’s experience includes a range of project scopes and scales, from local businesses to globally recognized firms, in the technology, healthcare, media, residential, and finance industries. Acting as lead designer, Ian is able to communicate effectively to the project team and can speak to both the technical and creative sides of his role. His design translation skills, attention to detail, and creative eye produce forward-looking spaces and experiences, all while being a dependable teammate to his project teams. In his free time, Ian enjoys exploring the great city of Chicago, finding new places to drink and dine, and taking his willful-spirited dog, Dusty, on long walks along the lake.

Mar Tenas i Bastida is the Senior Director of Procurement, Real Estate, and Workplace Operations at global legal technology company Relativity. With more than 15 years of experience in the technology sector, specializing in high-growth companies, Mar is a versatile leader driving the continuous development of workplace programs to enhance employee experience and operational efficiency. In her role, she oversees global real estate transactions and portfolio management, workplace experience strategy and execution, and future of work enablement initiatives. Mar is a trusted thought partner to Relativity employees across functions and around the world with a strong reputation for developing high-performance teams. Over the span of just 3 years, she spearheaded the relocation and buildout of three of Relativity’s offices (London, Krakow, and the company’s headquarters in Chicago), all major undertakings that required careful coordination with thousands of people. Mar was pivotal in ensuring the new work environments were designed to be spaces where innovation, comfort, and well-being come together to enhance the overall employee experience.

Al Fiesel is executive director at LJC, is a full-service design and architecture firm based in Chicago. Al has over 30 years of experience in the design industry. His areas of expertise include programming, lease negotiations, schematic design, design development, initial budget development, issuance of contract documents, and construction administration. Throughout Al’s career, he has delivered over 58M SF of architecture, corporate shell and core, and interior projects

Moderated by Jan Parr.

Jan Parr, a contributor to Crain's Chicago Business, has been creating quality content for magazines and the web for more than 30 years. Most recently, she was assistant managing editor of Crain’s Chicago Business, where she created the publication’s popular “Coolest Offices” feature. A longtime editor at Chicago magazine, she became a specialist in start-ups, founding three magazines for the city brand: Chicago Home + Garden, Chicago Shops, and Chicago Visitor. Jan created Chicago magazine’s first online blog, Design Dose. She also founded Online Investor magazine, a consumer publication; Dividends, a custom publication for Staples small-business customers; and was on the start-up team for Connect-Time, a magazine newspaper insert instructing readers about what was then the fledgling world of the Internet. Jan was a reporter for Forbes in its Chicago bureau and news editor of Crain’s Electronic Media. She is the author of three books, including Chicago Spaces: Inspiring Interiors, as well as two titles for young adults: The Young Vegetarian’s Companion and Amelia Earhart: First Lady of Flight. Her byline has appeared in national and local publications.

About the Speakers:

Richard Taylor is a Professor of Physics, Psychology and Art and currently is Head of the Physics Department at the University of Oregon. He has a Ph.D. and D.Sc. in physics and a Masters degree in art theory. He has worked in the USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, Sweden, and New Zealand, and has published more than 300 papers. This includes 11 papers in Nature and 3 in Science. In addition to his career in science, he is a trained painter and photographer. He adopts an interdisciplinary approach to studying natural patterns called fractals. His main focus is Bioinspiration – exploring the favorable properties that make fractals so prevalent in nature and applying them to artificial systems. He has studied fractals in physics, psychology, physiology, geography, architecture and art.

Architect Martin Lesjak co-founded Austrian-based INNOCAD architecture in 1999 and has since completed numerous projects of diverse sizes and scopes in architecture and interior design such as residential, office, hospitality, healthcare, mixed-use, educational, public, and retail. His transdisciplinary team is renowned for their “out of the box” thinking and their analytical and pragmatic approach to architecture and design by creating solutions with purpose and meaning.

Lesjak's foresight and expertise in architecture, design, and craft – as well as an affinity for art – has guided his firms in innovative directions. Together with partners, he leads multifaceted international projects combining creativity without boundaries.

In addition to many signature corporate, housing, and institutional works, current projects include an international school in King Abdullah Economic City (UAE), a competence center for MAM Health & Innovation and the first Radisson RED hotel in Vienna (AT) as well as a new housing product, that combines serviced living and co-living.

Together with Dr. med. univ. Anastasija Lesjak, he founded the product design studio 13&9 Design. The award-winning firm develops concepts that take users out of their daily routines in an aim to experience personalization, creativity, innovation, well-being, biophilia, and social and environmental connectivity. The team works as a design studio for international companies developing product collections, while also operating as a label producing their own products with small-scale manufacturers, in turn supporting creative growth in their local area. Their design process seeks to find an added value, “the soul,” to explore consciousness in design and its craft so that users are able to bond emotionally and intuitively to the subject. This open relationship between user and design confronts unsustainable consumption with a holistic commitment to the environment.

Pursuing design strategies that are based on the scientifically well-founded analysis of stress-reducing concepts in the built environment, 13&9 formed the ScienceDesignLab with leading scientist and physicist, Professor Dr. Richard Taylor from the University of Oregon and Fractals Research Laboratory (USA). The lab developed a Fractal Library with refined patterns for broader applications that serve as a versatile resource for designers and architects.

Lesjak is a frequent lecturer and speaker at several universities and worldwide events, and also received one of the architecture and design community’s top honors, “Designer of the Year 2015” by Contract Magazine in the United States, followed by “Architect of the Year 2016” by BUILD Magazine in the United Kingdom. Over the years, his work has been published internationally and recognized with various awards, honors, and nominations in both architecture and interior design.

Dr. med. univ. Anastasija Lesjak is CEO and Creative Director of 13&9 Design, a transdisciplinary product design firm in Graz (AT) that develops projects across multiple categories such as furniture, lighting, acoustics, textiles, accessories, as well as exhibition and sound design. Her diverse background, with a doctor degree at Medical University of Graz and product design expertise, she bridges the gap between science and use in practice as well as enhances her team’s cross-disciplinary process. As head of concepts and product development at 13&9 Design, she works with an international team of designers, scientists, universities, product developers, manufacturing partners contributing to the innovative concepts for health and well-being in the workplace, education, hospitality, public and private spaces. One of her main areas of focus concerns research into perception and the effects of specific patterns that occur in nature. These patterns have the greatest significance in the built environment, where people have little to no access to nature. From this scientific interest came the collaboration with one of the leading scientists and physicists in this field, Professor Richard Taylor from the University of Oregon and Fractals Research (USA). In 2017, they co-founded ScienceDesignLab with the mission to create science-informed, human-based fractals for application in the built environment. In addition to her role as Creative Director of 13&9, she also consults for INNOCAD architecture. Lesjak is a frequent speaker at diverse universities and international events and was awarded with the title “Product Designer of the Year 2019” by Interior Design Magazine (US).

This session is currently sold out. It can be livestreamed on neocon.com and The Grand Stair at THE MART.

About the Speakers:

Kay Sargent, FASID, FIIDA, CID, LEED® AP, MCR.w, WELL AP; Senior Principal, Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors; HOK With 40 years of experience, Kay is an award-winning designer and recognized expert on workplace design, strategy and designing for neuroinclusion. Issues. She currently serves as Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors, for HOK and sits on HOK’s Board of Directors. In 2023 Kay was appointed to the Delos Advisory Board, the founding organization behind the WELL Standards and the IWBI, International Well Building Institute. In 2020 she was named ASID’s Designer of Distinction. Kay is a member of both American Society of Interior Designers’ College of Fellows and the International Interior Design Association’s College of Fellows, a select body of designers whose work has significantly influenced the profession. Kay currently serves on the ASID’s Foundation Research Taskforce; George Washington University Advisory Council; CoRETech / Real Comm advisory; the IWBI Health Advisory Team and the Advisory Boards for I+S and WorkDesign magazines. During her career she has also served on the International Boards of CoreNet Global, AVIXA, IFI - International Federation of Interior Designers /Architects, ASID, IIDA, NCQLP and the Advisory Board of Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design and NVCC. She is an active member of IFMA and co-founder of the IFMA Workplace Evoluntionaries, WE community and serves as an Executive committee for WE. In 2021 she was selected from her field of peers to provide Congressional Subject Matter Expert Testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives on “Federal Real Estate Post-COVID-19: A View from The Private Sector.” Kay also serves on the GSA Diversity taskforce and has authored a comprehensive book on neurodiversity entitled “Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces.”

Tara Cunningham; CEO; Beyond-Impact Tara Cunningham is the CEO of Beyond-Impact, a social enterprise focused on creating neuroinclusive workplaces. Tara is an internationally recognized leader in neurodiversity and disability inclusion, with extensive experience in transforming corporate cultures and public policy from Goldman Sachs to Luke’s Lobsters. Brian Cowan, Ireland’s An Taoiseach, appointed Tara to the National Disability Authority where she also served as the Irish representative as an Expert Evaluator for the European Commission. Tara's impactful advocacy includes speaking at the United Nations on World Autism Awareness Day. As an Adjunct Professor at Ocean County College in New Jersey and a widely published author on DEI and neuroinclusivieness, Tara continues to influence and educate on best practices for creating and harnessing truly inclusive environments.

Janet Roche, MDS, CAPS; CEO and Co-Founder; Trauma-informed Design Society Janet Roche is a leader in designing for health and wellness. She received her Master's in Design for Human Health from the Boston Architectural College (BAC), where she remains an adjunct instructor teaching Environmental Health, Human Conditions + Design, Biophilia, and courses on Trauma-informed Design. She mentors BAC students in various work-study programs to examine health determinants within the built environment. With a B.S. in Social Work from Boston University, a Certificate of Business and Management from Harvard University Extension School, and nearly two decades of owning her own production company, she is now combining her passions through Janet Roche Designs, LLC to pursue real design solutions to the human condition. In 2019 she launched her podcast, Inclusive Designers™. In 2020 she started the Trauma-informed Design Society along with J. Davis Harte, PhD., and later, Christine Cowart. The society presents on Trauma and Trauma-informed Design for marginalized populations and consults on projects around the world through Trauma-informed Design Consultants, LLC. The society's book, Trauma-informed Design Framework: A Framework for Designers, Architects, and Other Practitioners, is out now.

Moderated by Tracy Brower.

Tracy Brower, PhD, MM, MCR.w; Vice President of Workplace Insights; Steelcase Dr. Tracy Brower is a PhD sociologist studying happiness, work-life fulfillment and the future of work. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life. She is the vice president of workplace insights with Steelcase and a senior contributor to Forbes and Fast Company. Tracy’s work has been translated into 22 languages, and her TEDx talk has been viewed 8.1 million times. In addition, she is an award-winning speaker with over 25 years of experience working with global clients to achieve business results. Tracy is on the advisory board for Kids Food Basket and for the CoDesign Collaborative. In addition, she is a coach and advisor for the Center for Leadership at Hope College and an advisor to the Michigan State University Master of Industrial Mathematics Program. She is a award-winning faculty member for CoreNet Global and for Hacking HR. Tracy’s work has been featured on CBS News, TEDx, The Wall Street Journal, Work-Life Balance in the 21st Century (book), Globe and Mail (Canada), InsideHR (Australia), HR Director (UK), T3N (Germany), Morning Wave in Busan (South Korea), Real Estate Review Journal, Fortune, Inc. Magazine, HBR (France), multiple podcasts and more. Tracy holds a PhD in Sociology, a Master of Management in Organizational Culture, and a Master of Corporate Real Estate with a workplace specialization. You can find her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Goodreads, Unsplash (photography) or at tracybrower.com

The collective has addressed this with the goal of moving towards a more holistic ecosystem and approach to design that includes mentorship, advocacy for users, well-being, emotive experiences in the built environment, and resilience. These concepts and more will be addressed in this engaging panel discussion amongst ASIDx10 Collective members and moderated by the collective’s co-chairs.

About the Speakers:

With expertise as a workplace designer and strategist, Haley Nelson focuses on the cultivation of original insights that support the creation of places for people and organizations to thrive. Haley Nelson is a Design Director with IA Interior Architects in the Austin studio. She builds trust with her clients and her teams to cultivate original insights that support the creation of places for people and organizations to thrive. She believes in the power of design to inspire, engage emotions, shape behavior, promote health and well-being, and positively impact the planet. Many of Haley’s projects have achieved the highest levels of certification for sustainability and well-being, have been published, and have won numerous design awards. Her work has been featured on the cover of Metropolis magazine as well as by Interior Design and Contract magazines. Haley is a thought-leader, and she loves talking about how design can positively impact people. Many of Haley’s projects have achieved the highest levels of certification for sustainability and well-being, have been published, and have won design and sustainability awards. Haley is a thought-leader and has presented at numerous venues on how design can positively impact people.

Suzanne Lefebvre takes an empathetic, holistic approach to creating transformative spaces. She tailors designs to each community and organization, ensuring every decision enhances human experience and well-being. She leads her teams in translating client brands and visions into progressive, responsive environments. With a deep understanding of storytelling and experiential design, she creates spaces that engage the senses, evoke emotion, and leave lasting impressions. For her, great design is about listening, patience, and perseverance—ultimately crafting spaces that are both functional and beautiful.

Jessica Collins is the Director of Design, Interiors in HOK’s Dallas studio. As a process driven creative, she works collaboratively with clients and project teams, taking pride in not just the end result but also the service, delivery and design experience. Jess approaches design with ingenuity, client-driven solutions and interdisciplinary thinking to create curated and authentic spaces that celebrate the client’s brand, values and ethos while elevating the human experience. Jess has participated in panel discussions about workplace strategy and employee engagement and has appeared in multiple publications as author and designer. She previously served on the International Interior Design Association’s Southern California Board of Directors and was included in the American Society of Interior Design’s “Ones to Watch” awards in 2022. Jess is currently involved in The Real Estate Council as part of the Programs Committee and is a founding member of ASID’s x10 Collective.

At Turf, Faraz Shah is the Brand Director, where he’s building a brand that connects with aspiring architects and interior designers. He’s all about creating an experience that speaks directly to the people who shape the built environment. Whether he’s teaming up with designers, connecting with future industry leaders, or shaping the brand’s story, Faraz ensures that Turf leverages its acoustic solutions to add beauty, creativity, and well-being to spaces where people live, work, and create. Great design goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about how spaces can make you feel and how well they serve the people using them. Faraz approaches every project with curiosity and empathy, always striving to understand what makes a space truly resonate. With over 15 years of experience spanning product development, branding, and marketing, Faraz brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative insight. Faraz’s foundation in Industrial Design has fueled his passion for building better products and spaces through understanding, narrative, and purposeful design. He is also a host of the Sense of Space podcast.

Joanne Duka-Ragadio earned her BFA in Interior Architecture and Design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. With over 15 years of experience, she is a multidisciplinary designer who has led the design of transformative interiors for some of California’s largest and most influential clients across various sectors, including workplace, hospitality, and education. As a Senior Interior Designer at TETER, Joanne supports all California offices, where she is a people-first leader. She leverages her thought leadership, industry connections, and best practices to elevate the firm’s design portfolio. Known for her collaborative and creative approach, Joanne brings an energetic and engaging style to the design process, making it both exciting and enjoyable for clients and colleagues alike. Joanne is also a passionate advocate for making a difference in the industry. She currently serves as the Director of the IIDA Fresno City Center, was recognized as one of the ASID Ones to Watch winners in 2023, and volunteers as a mentor for design students.

Moderated by Royce Epstein and Teresa Humphrey.

Royce Epstein is a 30+ year veteran in the commercial Architecture and Design industry, with experience practicing in design firms and product development for carpet and textiles. She is currently the Senior Director of Design Insights for Mohawk Group. As both historian and futurist, Royce shares design insights and the meaning of materials in a broad context, finding significance in cultural shifts and how they shape the language of design. Royce feeds this into our industry’s touch points as a designer, trend forecaster, educator, lecturer, and writer. Her interests are in environmental and social sustainability for positive impacts.

Teresa Humphrey is the Director, Commercial Specifications for Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces. Her career with Wilsonart spans 30 years through various roles within the sales organization. Supporting Wilsonart Surfaces destined for applications in commercial spaces across the globe, Teresa spearheads the North American Commercial Specifications and National Account teams. Through a positive attitude and dedicated work ethic, Teresa guides a Sales team of individuals who are committed to building and maintaining customer relationships within the Architectural and Design community. As a results-oriented leader who is passionate about accomplishing corporate objectives, her positive outlook and approach allow her to enjoy each experience that comes her way. Teresa Humphrey LEED AP ID+C Director, Commercial Specifications Wilsonart

About the Speakers:

Jessica Davis is the Development and Programs Manager at Global Gardens Chicago, where she leads efforts to build a more sustainable and equitable food system in Illinois. Passionate about environmental stewardship and community well-being, Jessica ensures the organization prioritizes sustainable practices, including the integration of native prairie and pollinator plants. She is also committed to food access, working to make sure fresh, locally grown vegetables reach lower-income residents. In addition to overseeing summer programming, Jessica manages volunteers and contributes to fundraising initiatives that support the garden’s mission. Outside of her work, she enjoys baking with foraged goods and crocheting.

Eric Hotchkiss is a designer, educator, and community builder whose work blurs the line between social practice and object-making. As Assistant Professor of Designed Objects at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he leads courses focused on community-centered design, cultural engagement, and fabrication. He is also the founder of Made in Englewood, a design/build studio that collaborates with Chicago’s South and West Side communities to create public art, cultural spaces, and infrastructure rooted in local histories and futures. Eric’s work spans from solar-powered sculptural installations and culinary placemaking projects to youth-led design councils and public furniture. Whether building grills with students or murals with neighbors, he believes design is most powerful when it’s shared, lived, and deeply local.

Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford is a visual artist and assistant professor of sculpture at Indiana University Northwest. He is also a co-director and co-founder of the collective Floating Museum. His work has been shown at the Art Institute of Chicago, Malmö Konstmuseum, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, American Academy of Arts and Letters, The UCSD Art Gallery, and The Hyde Park Art Center, among other spaces.

He has held fellowships at the Sculpture Space, the MacDowell Colony, Vermont Studio Center, the Brown Foundation Program at the Dora Maar House, and the Skowhegan School of Sculpture and Painting. His work has been supported by grants from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, the Harpo Foundation, the Propeller Fund, the Chauncey and Marion Deering McCormick Foundation, an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship, and a Fulbright Fellowship in Sicily. Reviews of his work have been included in outlets like Sculpture Magazine, Hyperallergic, Artforum, and the Chicago Tribune.

Moderated by Jordan Campbell.

Jordan Campbell is one of last year's Designing a Better Chicago awardees and is the driving force behind the creative energy that pulses through Alt Space Chicago. With a passion for innovation and an eye for design, Jordan has transformed Alt Space into a thriving hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries alike. Although Jordan wasn’t born or raised in the Windy City, Jordan's passion for Chicago's vibrant culture and history has greatly influenced Alt Space's mission. He believes in harnessing the city's rich artistic heritage while pushing boundaries to explore the frontiers of creativity through art, faith and community.