Jenna Mogstad, IIDA
President of the IIDA Oregon Chapter
Senior Interior Designer, MWA Architects

One thing people might be surprised to learn about you? 

I am a huge nail art nerd! I do my own nails every weekend and have fully taken over our guest bathroom drawers with all of my supplies! Let's hope guests never need to store anything …

What are three things you can’t live without?

My two cats (I’m counting them as one); coffee; and my fiancé, Dave! 

You are stuck on an island. You can pick just one food to eat forever. What would you choose?  

Crème brûlée.

What makes a good leader?

The ability to let others do their jobs. There is a big difference between mentoring and micromanaging. Delegation and allowing others to take on tasks, even if it takes a bit longer than you'd like, is important to make sure that those you’re leading are learning — and that you don’t get overloaded.

Your favorite way to rest and recharge after a packed week?

Sitting on the couch with a cat on my lap and my fiancé on the other end, watching a crappy movie. It’s the best way for me to turn my brain off!

What’s one small habit, ritual, or routine that makes you better at your work, or simply brightens your day?

My boss and I have a reoccurring calendar invite called “walkin’ club” where we try to go for a quick 15-minute walk around lunchtime on our in-office days. Sometimes things get too busy to do it, but when we force ourselves to step away and get outside, we typically spend the whole walk laughing. It really helps us come back feeling a lot better!

If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be?

One of my cats. They are living the dream.

Share a work of art or culture that you can’t stop thinking about. Why?

I’ve been really into a podcast called “Trust Me” lately. It’s hosted by two women who are both survivors of cults, and they interview people who have also survived cults or who are cult experts. It’s a great listen when I’m sitting in traffic.

How has IIDA membership supported or advanced your design career?

Being a member of IIDA has expanded my network more than I ever thought possible. I have made connections not only all over my city and state, but all over the country! The Oregon Chapter is such a tight-knit community, and when people see designers engaging with IIDA or stepping into board positions, they understand that comes with a certain level of dedication, responsibility, and enthusiasm. It has really helped me stand out and gain a lot of valuable leadership skills that I don’t think I would have been able to get outside the chapter as easily. IIDA has always been the warm blanket I have come back to as I’ve had transitions in my life and career; it has brought a sense of stability and grounding. 

Dia Baldwin, IIDA, RID
President of the IIDA Alabama Chapter
Associate Interior Designer, KPS Group

One thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I'm a second-degree black belt!

One skill you think every designer needs today?

Understanding your audience — whether it’s explaining your designs to clients, or even to colleagues, you have to understand the audience and their goals. 

What are three things you can’t live without? 

Books, fun drinks, and music.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

How you act influences how people treat you.

One design detail you always notice?

Millwork.

You are stuck on an island. You can pick just one food to eat forever. What would you choose?  

Sushi.

Best gift you’ve ever received?

A personalized book stamp with my name. 

Share a work of art or culture that you can’t stop thinking about. Why?

“All the Way to the River,” by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s a beautiful and tragic book about love, grace, and forgiveness.

What’s a favorite IIDA program or experience that you’d recommend to new members?

Honestly, all of them. The more you participate, the more you get out of it!

Kalyn Pavlinic, IIDA
President of the IIDA New England Chapter
Associate Principal, Shepley Bulfinch

What are three things you can’t live without?

Hugging my daughter, laughing with my husband, and making art.

One design detail you always notice?

Ceilings. You can always spot a designer by who is staring at the ceilings.

You are stuck on an island. You can pick just one food to eat forever. What would you choose?

Cheese, duh.

If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be?

A Buddhist monk.

One thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I studied biology and art as an undergrad before circling back for a master’s in interior architecture. 

Name one designer, artist, or creative thinker you’re paying attention to right now. Why do they intrigue you?

Martin Puryear. His recent MFA Boston exhibition had this exploration of form and material that felt guttural and intuitive yet deeply connected to meaning.

One skill you think every designer needs today? 

Storytelling — we all love stories.

What’s one small habit, ritual, or routine that makes you better at your work, or simply brightens your day?

No emails after 8 p.m. My response quality tanks after 6, so I let it sit until morning.

Share a work of art or culture that you can’t stop thinking about. Why?

“Widow’s Bay” on Apple TV. Horror and humor, somehow perfectly balanced. 

Best gift you’ve ever received?

A wedding gift — a bottle of fancy wine for each of our first five years of marriage. Every year gave me something to look forward to, and I never forgot the thoughtfulness behind it.

Your favorite way to rest and recharge after a packed week?

Snuggled in bed with a book.

What’s a favorite IIDA program or experience that you’d recommend to new members? 

The Fashion Show is our seminal event, always an explosion of pride in our community’s creativity. But I’m equally a fan of the more intimate gatherings, like our Spark Series and Leadership programs, where real friendships get built.

How has IIDA membership supported or advanced your design career?

I work on projects nationally but have stayed at the same firm most of my career, which makes it hard to connect to my local design community. IIDA gave me a deeper network of local designers and industry friends, many of whom I now consider real friends, not just contacts. Connecting with IIDA HQ has also connected me to interior designers across the whole country.

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