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Sep 21, 2021 By IIDA HQ
College of Fellows One-on-One: Part 2
IIDA's highest honor, the College of Fellows, honors the achievements and impact of design industry members. Learn more about our newest inductees.
By IIDA HQ Sep 21, 2021

Each year, IIDA recognizes a group of members for their exceptional contributions to the interior design industry and community, and who demonstrate outstanding professional achievements, impacts, and contributions to the profession and industry. These members are mentors, educators, and leaders, and are bestowed the highest honor that IIDA awards, the honor of being named to the IIDA College of Fellows.

Our 2021 College of Fellows is IIDA’s first-ever group of all women. Through a three-part series of one-on-one conversations with these remarkable women we share their important work and achievements as they discuss design, life, leadership and beyond.

Join IIDA Director of Membership Experience Ryan Ben as he sits down with inductees, Catherine Heath, FIIDA, founder and managing principal at HYL Architecture and Jennifer Graham, FIIDA, principal, corporate interiors, Perkins+Will.


Catherine Heath, FIIDA

Catherine Heath is a seasoned architect and designer with significant accomplishments in design and workplace strategy in her 30-year career. A prominent leader in the Washington, D.C. real estate community, Heath has been fortunate to work under the direction of outstanding mentors who have influenced her approach to design. She recognizes the importance of mentorship in the development of the next generation of design talent and has established a mentorship program at her own firm, in addition to serving as a mentor to several students. As a practice leader, she has built a studio of 22 talented designers with an impressive portfolio of completed works at HYL Architecture. In just six years, her firm has designed more than 100 projects in 25 cities internationally, and regularly competes with top firms globally.


Jennifer Graham, FIIDA

For more than 30 years, Jennifer Graham’s success has come from her unique approach of incorporating mentorship into project management. As a bold champion for DEI, social purpose, and sustainability, Graham brings these issues to the forefront in her client work and community service as a principal at Perkins+Will, a renowned architecture and design firm. In 2009, she founded LMNOP NYC, Inc., an organization offering networking and affordable continuing education credits to designers. Following LMNOP’s acquisition by the IIDA NY Chapter, Graham became IIDA NY’s vice president of action and 2021 catalyst chair. Native to Barbados, the influence of Graham’s family is evident in everything she does; from fulfilling her father’s own dream of working in architecture to epitomizing the resolve and relentless pursuit of knowledge passed on through her grandmother. Her character and record demonstrate her advocacy and commitment to both the design and global communities.

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