It’s a wonder that Courtnei Maxwell, IIDA, finds time to sleep.

The Georgia-based designer, recently named IIDA’s 2025 Member of the Year, is director of interiors at CHASM Architecture, President-Elect and Vice President of Sponsorship for the IIDA Georgia Chapter, and a volunteer with multiple organizations that support the success of Black youth and help all children in need.

Her dedication to design and volunteerism don’t go unnoticed.

“Courtnei Maxwell is one of the most highly motivated and intelligent professionals I have had the pleasure to work with. Her manner and her personality draw you in and are such that you want to be a part of the team she is on or leading,” noted Trey Champion, Ind. IIDA, immediate past president of the Georgia chapter and an account manager at Patcraft. “Everything she does is hallmarked by excellence,” he added.

Other IIDA leaders echo that sentiment. “Courtnei is a superstar that can stand apart from the crowd yet exercise the humility required to excel as part of a team,” said Ronnie Belizaire, FIIDA, a member of IIDA’s International Board of Directors and studio practice leader and principal at HKS.

Here are five things to know about Maxwell, from the childhood experiences and influences that shaped her to notable achievements in her chapter and design practice.

As a kid, she overcame a serious diagnosis that made her more resilient.

When she was young, Maxwell had a rare childhood cancer; as a result, she lost sight in her left eye. “I viewed it not as a setback,” she says, “but as a setup to develop resilience, discipline, and an unyielding drive. These values have shaped my approach to overcoming challenges.”

She has worked on major design projects — including Atlanta’s international airport.

As director of interiors at CHASM, Maxwell has contributed to massive, complex projects, including the modernization of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport. In 2024, more than 108 million people traveled through Hartsfield-Jackson. In addition to aviation design, Maxwell also has experience in higher education, K-12, corporate, civic, healthcare, and multi-family housing.

She’s a prolific volunteer …

For more than a decade, Maxwell has been involved with 100 Black Men of America, Inc., a mentoring organization that supports Black youth. She has helped cultivate a deeper understanding of STEM careers by designing educational STEM activities and establishing a professional speakers bureau to connect students with mentors working in STEM fields. She also volunteers with Helping Hands, in conjunction with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where teams decorate mini-Christmas trees that are donated to kids who must spend the holidays in the hospital. Plus, she has lent her time to Gingertown — a holiday initiative where volunteers build gingerbread houses that are donated to hospitals and healthcare facilities — and to Peach Paws, a charity event where proceeds benefit Paw Project of Georgia, which supports animal welfare.

… And an incredibly effective fundraiser

In her volunteer work with IIDA, her efforts have helped the Georgia chapter raise substantial amounts of money. A couple years ago, during a sponsorship drive, the chapter fell below its projected fundraising total. Maxwell jumped in, working with existing sponsors and recruiting new ones to meet and then exceed the projected goal, ultimately bringing in an additional $39,000 to support the chapter.

Her design philosophy is tied to Charles Eames — and quilting.

This Eames quote has helped shape Maxwell’s design approach: “The details are not the details. They make the design.” Taking that to heart, Maxwell believes that “every detail — whether it’s the choice of materials, the flow of space, or the smallest design element — works together to create a truly transformative experience.” She works to carefully blend color, texture, and environmental details to craft spaces that are “emotionally resonant and vibrant.”

Put another way, Maxwell thinks of her work as akin to quilting. “Design is about connecting diverse pieces — much like creating a quilt from textile fragments. It’s about cultural inclusivity, innovation, and creating spaces that make a meaningful impact.”

Learn more about IIDA'S Member of the Year Award here