ASID Announces 2019 Ones to Watch Winners and Scholars

July 24, 2019  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

From the 20 chosen award winners, the society selected eight ASID Ones to Watch Scholars to participate in a leadership development program to further their design impact and boost their career trajectory. The honorees were officially announced as part of The Leadership Experience: Presented by ASID in Atlanta on July 20.

“​Our Ones to Watch program identifies rising leaders in interior design who consistently push the profession forward and shape the industry’s future through their diverse perspectives and backgrounds,”​ said Randy Fiser, Hon. FASID, CEO, ASID. “We are honored to present this year’s exceptional roster of award winners and look forward to seeing how they continue to impact lives through design.”

The ASID Ones to Watch program recognizes industry professionals who represent a dedication to the profession, authenticity, innovation, leadership, and inclusion. Eligible candidates must be currently employed in the interior design profession, have 5-15 years of industry experience, and be on a path to a senior and/or executive-level position. As ASID understands the need to grow diversity and actively promote inclusion, Ones to Watch places emphasis on participants whose backgrounds are currently under-represented in management roles within the interior design industry, including women, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ, and persons with disabilities.

Each year, up to 20 applicants are honored as ASID Ones to Watch Award Winners within four specialized categories: Design Excellence, Education Leadership, Manufacturing Leadership, and Volunteer Leadership. Award winners gain national recognition, networking and leadership opportunities within the design community, and expanded participation at ASID conferences and events.

From the 20 winners, ASID selected eight ASID Ones to Watch Scholars to participate in a two-year development training program. During the program, Scholars receive invaluable career and leadership training through one-on-one and group coaching, experiential teaching, and personalized mentoring. In the first year, Scholars learn to leverage their individual perspectives and unique backgrounds to excel in their careers and enhance their potential. During the second year, Scholars have the opportunity to serve as mentors to the next class of ASID Ones to Watch Scholars.

The 2019 ASID Ones to Watch Award Winners are: ​Susanne Angarano, ASID, CID, NCIDQ: ​principal and senior interior designer, Ashley McGraw Architects; ​Riz Walker, Allied ASID: ​senior designer & strategist; Georges Fares: ​interior designer; ​Megan Dobstaff, NCIDQ, LEED GA: ​senior associate, Gensler (NYC); Kimberly Prescott, ASID, NCIDQ: ​design manager, Arkansas Children’s Planning, Design and Construction; ​Laura Burton, Allied ASID: ​principal, Laura Burton Interiors; ​Adam Nash, ASID, IDEC, NCIDQ, LEED GA: ​assistant professor of Interior Design, University of the Incarnate Word; ​Normalinda Sidney, NCIDQ: ​architectural designer; ​Arjav Shah: ​senior interior designer, Perkins + Will (NYC); ​Jolene Mudri, MBA, NCIDQ LEED AP: ​associate, Stantec; ​Aiko Tanabe: ​senior project designer, Perkins + Will (NYC); and ​Sara Silvestri: ​associate designer, Gensler (NYC).

The 2019 ASID Ones to Watch Scholars are: Suzanne Frasier, ASID: ​associate professor, School of Architecture and Planning, Morgan State University; ​Maria Martin, ASID: ​founder, Design Appy; ​Ngozi Brown, ASID, AIA, NCIDQ, EDAC, LEED® AP ND; Xie Xin, Allied ASID, LEED GA: ​interior healthcare designer, Perkins + Will (NYC); ​Lida Lewis, ASID, WELL AP Faculty, LEED AP IDC: ​designer, advocate, educator, thought leader; ​Brooks Morelock, ASID, CID: ​designer and senior associate, Gensler (NYC); Marylena Sevigney, Allied ASID, WELL AP: ​chief solution officer, Mindful Making & Design; and ​Molly Baker, ASID: ​project interior designer, senior associate, Perkins + Will (Seattle).