Educational Foundation of IFDA Announces 2025 Board of Trustees

April 1, 2025  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

Karen Dzendolet of the New England Chapter, Named IFDA-EF Chair for 2025
Karen believes in intuitive, client-focused design, collaborating with and valuing her clients' lifestyles and goals.

After a career in corporate IT, managing products and projects for operating system software, Karen decided on a career change, and received her Master of Arts in Interior Design in 2006 from the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University in Boston, MA. She started her design business, KDZ Designs in 2009, in Western Massachusetts, focusing primarily on residential design consulting.

Karen has been a member of the IFDA New England chapter since 2009, serving as a board member, starting in 2010, and as IFDA NE Chapter President from 2014 through 2016. She  joined the IFDA EF board in 2018 as Director of Scholarships and Grants through 2019 and became Vice Chair in 2020 and Chair in 2021. In 2022, she became Past Chair/Advisor and then became Chair for a second time in 2023. She served again as Past Chair/Advisor again in 2024.  She resides in Pelham, MA.

Ida McCausland of the New England Chapter, Named IFDA-EF Vice Chair/President-Elect

Ida is a seasoned interior designer and project manager with a proven track record of excellence in residential and commercial design. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Drexel University, she launched her own firm, Ida J. McCausland Interior Design, where she has successfully delivered a diverse range of projects, including gut renovations and full-scale project management.

Ida has been an active member of IFDA since 2010, crediting the organization with providing access to the best in interior design. She has held several leadership roles, serving as Philly Board President, 2015 to 2016, IFDA International President, 2019 through 2021 – steering the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic – and most recently as Washington, DC Chapter President, 2023 to 2024. Ida is excited to bring her expertise to the IFDA EF Board. Ida resides in Media, PA.

Susan Hirsh of the New York Chapter, Named Past Chair/Advisor 

Susan Hirsh was the Vice President of Decorative Products for Janovic, which was the leading chain of Benjamin Moore stores in New York City and on Long Island. She has been a judge of the Products Innovations Contest for the Window Coverings Association of America since 2002.

Susan was Chairman of the International Furnishings and Design Association’s Educational Foundation in 2014. She was the President of the IFDA’s international board in 2010. She has been on the board of the New York Chapter since 2000 and is currently its Educational Foundation VP.  She resides in Mountain Lakes, NJ.

Earline Feldman, of the Carolinas Chapter Continues as Director of Scholarships & Grants           

A longtime IFDA member, Earline has served on the EF board on several occasions. She received her BFA from Maryland Institute of Fine Art. She is a recipient of the "Georgia Peach Award". Earline is a well-known tapestry maven who owned and operated two tapestry galleries for several years. She created and managed the Historical Homepage for Tapestries and the IFDA Educational Foundation’s website. She resides in Canton, GA.

Kathleen Penney of the Philadelphia Chapter Continues as Director of Resources
Kathleen Penney has been a member of IFDA for the past 25 years, joining as a student from Moore College of Art and Design. Kathleen completed her design education, and subsequently opened her business, Kathleen L. Penney Interiors, Inc. in 2000. She specializes in not only interior design/decorating work, but also in renovation project management. She has served on the Philadelphia Chapter Board for over 16 years in various roles, including President for a two-year term.

Kathleen was the first President in Philadelphia to implement the "Take A Seat Charity Auction," and then served on the committee for the following two auction events. Kathleen has also served on the IFDA International Board of Directors for a one-year term, working on Marketing initiatives. This is her third term as Director of Resources for IFDA EF.  She resides in West Chester, PA.

Sarah Fletcher of the New York Chapter Continues as Director of Communications
A longtime IFDA NY Chapter member and member of the IFDA NY Chapter Board, Sarah is principal in Sarah P. Fletcher Communications. She specializes in the consumer products and design industry with expertise in the non-profit sector as well. She resides in New York City. 

Also returning to the Foundation board in 2025 will be Shirley Ebert as Financial Manager.  Katy Lynn Retzbach, IFDA International President, is also part of the Foundation board.