James Ludwig is Vice President of Global Design and Product Engineering for office furnishings leader Steelcase Inc. James was named to this role in 2008 with global responsibility for the product design direction of Steelcase, overseeing studios in Europe, Asia and the United States.

 Prior to joining Steelcase in 1999, James was a founding partner of bold:architects.designers., an interdisciplinary design consultancy in Berlin, Germany, realizing diverse projects such as products, graphic programs and new buildings and renovations in the reconstruction of reunited Germany.

James earned degrees in industrial design from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and architecture from The Cooper Union in New York City. He holds over 300 design and functional patents.

Jennifer Kolstad is the global design director of Ford Motor Company’s built environments. Her role seeks to unify Ford’s brand language across typologies through architecture and design, investigating opportunities for cultural and behavioral change, elevating design impact internal and external to the global Ford ecosystem. With a core belief in collaboration, her mission is to ideate future-state readiness for the physical infrastructure of a next-gen mobility company.

Since joining the ASID national board in 2016, Jennifer’s focus has been the broader application of the interior design professional's human-centered expertise in every design equation.

Gary E. Wheeler is a renowned professional with more than 30 years of design experience. Distinguished for his strategic approach to workplace design, Gary began his career as co-founder of the Wheeler Group in 1978 and has since led practices at Perkins&Will, Gensler and HDR.

Gary's ASID accomplishments include being named Designer of Distinction, granted fellowship and serving as National President. He has been inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame and received the Senior Fellow Award from The Design Future Council (DFC). Gary is one of the few designers with Fellow distinction with ASID and IIDA.

Nancy L. O’Brien is passionate about researching, developing and sharing innovative tools to enhance and measure well-being and performance at the individual and collective level. Prior to co-creating The Happiness Practice, Nancy spent years on the leading edge of massive innovation and change, serving on the IBM change team to transform the global business from manufacturing to services. She has also shared her deep experience design and management expertise with many clients by helping them develop and implement bespoke strategies.

As Associate Principal and Regional Sustainable Design Leader at Perkins+Will, Mary Dickinson assures that wholistic sustainable ideas are integral to the firm’s projects and practices across market sectors. Fueled by her passion in refining the role and impact of the built environment on human and ecological health, Mary co-chairs the firmwide Material Performance Lab. She is an active advocate participating in AIA’s Material Knowledge working group, HPDC’s User Advisor Panel, mindful MATERIAL Steering Committing and as chairman of the USGBC Texas - North Texas Regional Council.

Rachelle Schoessler Lynn is Director of Workplace for Gensler Minneapolis. She is an active national leader in innovative, sustainable design and health and well-being solutions, co-author of the Minnesota Buildings, Benchmarks and Beyond Guidelines and co-founder of the Minnesota U.S. Green Building Council chapter. Rachelle was formerly the Chair of the ASID National Board of Directors, where she advocated for sustainable design and health and well-being through policy, research initiatives and engagements.

Chad’s work has always been client-directed, drawing on a deep understanding of the users to develop a focused experience as well as a deep understanding of clients cultural and business goals. With a keen focus on interdisciplinary design, Chad’s approach to design stems from a desire to discover innovative user outcomes, target efficient data-driven design process, and the creation of empathetic and engaging environments. Especially passionate about developing and implementing sustainable and health initiatives in the built environment, Chad believes that all design professionals have a responsibility to lead by making decisions to support environmental resiliency as well as human health and wellbeing.

Jennifer Wammack is BIFMA’s Director of Outreach, a role created in 2017 to enhance engagement with influencers of the commercial built environment. Since that time, Jennifer has been the organization’s brand ambassador, communicating BIFMA’s message as the industry leader in developing furniture safety, durability and sustainability standards that ensure product performance and inspire confidence wherever people work, learn, heal, and play. Jennifer holds a BFA in Textile Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Masters of Management in Sustainable Business from Aquinas College.

Eric Brown is a real estate and design professional with a passion for creating unique, flexible spaces for people to live their best lives. He believes that great design can enhance the experience of its users while also being efficient, sustainable and equitable. With experience in single family, multi-family, mixed use and commercial spaces of varying scales, Eric has worked with property owners, developers, consultants, vendors and other team members to successfully deliver over five million square feet of mixed-use space, including more than 5,200 residential units.

Angelita Scott is Director and Community Concept Lead for the WELL Building Standard and WELL Equity Lead. She previously served as an Assistant Professor of Interior Design, believing that the built environment should be equitable for everyone regardless of race, gender, age, or ability. Scott has worked in the interior design profession as a university professor, researcher, and practitioner for more than 20 years. She earned a Ph.D. in interior design with a concentration on evidence-based design from the University of Minnesota, holds a DEI Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida, and was named an inaugural ASID Ones To Watch Award Winner and Scholar. Her research takes a preventative approach to the interior environment, supporting mental and physical health for all through a social justice lens.  

The design voice of impact and change—Kia Weatherspoon, NCIDQ, ASID, D.F.A. (h.c) has spent the last 15 years defying every design stereotype. The most damaging—interior design is a luxury reserved for a few. Her voice, advocacy for Design Equity™, and design practice have shifted the narrative, making interior design a standard for all. Kia is challenging the lack of these standards in economically challenged communities. Her presence and leadership have created ripples, prompting housing developers, agencies, and industry partners in economically challenged communities to not just take notice of her work—but to do better. 

She became the design leader, educator, business owner and speaker she never saw. In doing so she has been recognized as a recipient of the Design for Humanity National award from American Society of Interior Design, HIP Designer for Good by Interior Design Magazine, Commercial Real Estate Women Washington D.C. (CREW DC) Raise Up Your Voice Recipient and the International Interior Design Association Luna Textile/Anna Hernandez Visionary Award recipient. She also received an Honorary Doctorate from the New York School of Interior Design for her contributions to the industry. Kia is a full-time professor, sought after speaker and mentor. She truly demonstrates what’s possible when you’re determined by design.

A member of Chicago’s interior design community since 2002, Amanda Peña is an ASID Professional, a LEED Accredited Professional, and holds a degree in Interior Design with highest honors from Harrington College of Design.  After working with high-end residential design firms in Chicago from 2002-2010, Ms. Peña joined The Community Builders (TCB), where she established the company’s internal interior design practice. 

Amanda is TCB’s Senior Interior Design Manager, chairing TCB’s Design Committee and guiding design strategy, national relationships, and resource development. Project-level responsibilities include design review for each new property, guidance and standardization of architectural finishes, programming for community spaces and management functions, furniture plans and specifications, property signage review, and artwork/accessory selection and placement. She also consults with regional staff on corporate office planning.  

Bill Bouchey brings over 25 years as a thought leader in workplace, showroom, lifestyle and hospitality environments, emphasizing innovation and brand presence. As Director of Design, Bill guides clients collaboratively in creating a sense of place and a commitment to concept-based design excellence. His design sense is driven by the belief that interior design empowers people and transforms organizations, enhancing a client’s business and experience objectives. Recognized as one of the industry’s relevant thought leaders, Bill is a sought-after speaker, and his work has been featured in the likes of Interior Design magazine, Frame and The New York Times, among others.

Mary Kate Cassidy is a designer at HOK focusing on corporate workplace design. In her graduate studies, she researched neurodiversity and its relationship to workplace design. She continues to research and speak about this topic through HOK’s platform for workplace research. Mary Kate’s work is part of HOK’s latest publications “Designing a Neurodiverse Workplace” and “Trends Affecting Neurodiversity Toward 2030,” which highlight the importance of designing spaces that are inclusive to all. The research provides insight into the benefits this provides for corporate clients, as well as design tips for achieving beautiful, inclusive and effective spaces.

David O’Coimin is a product designer and entrepreneur based in Bristol, United Kingdom and Amsterdam, Netherlands. David’s raison d’etre is to foster the conditions, generate meaningful solutions and deliver the systems that maximize the potential of both people and places. Following two decades of developing and launching furniture and technology products for the international domestic and commercial markets, David created Nook Wellness Pods as a quiet refuge for introverts or those on the autistic spectrum in the workplace. Thanks to their mobility, flexibility, acoustic design, integrated technology and modularity, Nooks are now found in a variety of environments from offices and care homes to schools and stadiums. Nook is recognized for improving productivity, communication and well-being.

Susan Chung, Ph.D., focuses on the impact of design research. She connects design with research to improve human experiences in the interior environment, translates research into applicable design implications, and conducts research projects that create meaningful positive impacts. She comes from an interior design background, holding a BA from Michigan State University and an MID from the University of Florida. She integrated interior design with behavioral research for her doctorate degree in Human Behavior and Design at Cornell University, with a focus on design attributes related to creativity in workplace environments.

As Chief Commercial Officer at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), Jessica Cooper oversees the end-to-end customer experience with WELL, enhancing human health and wellness through the built environment. Before joining IWBI, Jessica served as Executive Vice President and Director of Sustainability at Delos, leading the Delos Solutions team and working with clients to create environments promoting occupant well-being.

Jessica is a WELL Faculty and WELL Accredited Professional. She is a LEED AP, holds a certificate in Green Professional Building Skills Training: Construction Management and is a licensed interior designer. She graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Design and Environmental Analysis.

Standing at the nexus of public health research and the places and spaces where we spend our lives, Whitney Austin Gray has become one of the leading global voices for improving our buildings and communities to help people thrive. As Senior Vice President at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), she leads research that supports best practices in building design and operations, community development and organizational policies that can contribute to improved public health for everyone, everywhere. She led the development of the first WELL AP exam, WELL Faculty Program and the first case studies focused on the efficacy of the WELL Building Standard, helping to launch more than 100 educational sessions related to WELL in 25+ countries.  Her lectures, webcasts, trainings and published works have touched tens of thousands of design and health professionals worldwide, building a strong infrastructure of support for those who work to advance better buildings, vibrant communities and stronger organizations.

Lara Shortall is Director of A&D solutions for MindClick, an environmental health product intelligence company that helps meet global demand for healthier products and healthier environments. She is a proven design leader with global experience in creating branded hospitality interiors. As Creative Director at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Lara brought a passion for healthy product selection and sustainability to interior design programs for the Aloft, Element and Four Points by Sheraton brands. At MindClick, Lara uses her strong organizational skills and leadership, together with a practical approach and straightforward communication style, to engage designers and manufacturers in the practice of creating healthier interiors.