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From Home Furnishing Business
DIFFA Announces Tom Polucci as Chairman of the Board
August 6,
2024 by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry 
DIFFA, the Design Industries Foundation, is thrilled to announce Tom Polucci as the new Chairman of the Board. Polucci, the senior principal and firm-wide director of interiors at the global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm HOK, brings over three decades of experience leading the design of multidimensional, human-centric corporate office projects for some of the world's most recognizable companies.
Trained as an architect, his commitment to excellence and innovation has inspired and shaped workplace culture. He will bring these qualities to his leadership role at DIFFA as the nonprofit focuses on its expanded mission to address broader community challenges such as homelessness and mental wellness.
A dedicated DIFFA supporter throughout his career, Polucci has served on the board and various committees since 2019. He succeeds Cindy Allen, the esteemed editor-in-chief of Interior Design Magazine, who officially retired as chairman in 2023 after guiding the organization for twelve years. Allen will serve as Chair Emeritus of the foundation, alongside her predecessor, David Rockwell, founder and president of Rockwell Group.
“We have been incredibly fortunate with our Board leadership over the years,” remarks Dawn Roberson, executive director of DIFFA. “Cindy applied her invaluable expertise and verve to guide and expand DIFFA’s mission since her appointment in 2012. We are thrilled to have her continued support and input as Chair Emeritus.”
“Likewise, we are delighted to welcome Tom as the new Chairman of the Board. An inspiring thought leader with experience in various economic and creative facets related to DIFFA and beyond, we are excited to benefit from his dynamic leadership in this next chapter,” she continues.
“I am thrilled to take on this exciting role. Before moving to New York, I saw firsthand DIFFA’s profound impact when I was fortunate enough to work with a nonprofit that was one of its grant recipients—it’s a full circle experience,” remarks Polucci. “DIFFA is a critical organization that brings together the design community in chapters across the US. The recent expansion of our mission has enabled DIFFA to reach a broader audience of designers and brands eager to support the cause. In turn, DIFFA will be able to grant to a greater number and diversity of organizations helping those that need it most,” he adds.
Various additional appointees will ensure that DIFFA’s mission continues its impactful reach. Jennifer Schimmel, Director of Accounting at Family Office, assumes the role of treasurer formerly held by William Murphy, founder and president of Byron Advisors, who served for two decades. In addition to skilled financial leadership, Schimmel will bring new ideas and opportunities to the foundation.
Likewise, the DIFFA Board has increased its ranks with several stellar new trustees, including Katharina Plath, principal and founder of Head & Hand PR; Jon Otis, founder and director of Object Agency; Richard Lombard of Matter of Importance; Lauren Corbin of Benjamin Moore; Jamie Gagliano of Noble Black Douglas Elliman; and David White, formerly the COO of Southwest Funding.
The new appointees join current trustees Joan MacKeith, principal at Rockwell Group; Christine Abbate, CEO of Novità Communications; Donna Fishel, EVP of Nautilus Investments; Alan Siegel, partner at Levy, Sonet & Siegel; Gary Wheeler, former executive director of ASID; Troy Grichuk, principal at Gensler; Brooke Horan, interior design director of HDR, Dereine Coleman; and Yiannos Ysourgos, Co-founder and Creative Director of Input Creative Studio.
The national board of trustees elected to include an ex-officio board seat for an active volunteer leader from each of its chapter cities: Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco. This decision aims to give chapter cities a voice in matters that concern the foundation overall, unifies the national organization, and provides opportunities for the sharing of resources and the development of national sponsorship opportunities.
Established in 1984 as a direct response to the HIV/AIDS health crisis, DIFFA has recently expanded its mission to address broader, but related community crises, including food and housing insecurities and mental wellness challenges. Since its founding, DIFFA has mobilized the resources of the design community to grant more than $55 million to charities in New York City and around the country.