Meet IIDA's 2023 College of Fellows

Jun 30, 2023 By Jessica Jones

This year's recipients of IIDA's highest honor—the College of Fellows

By Jessica Jones Jun 30, 2023

Published in Awards & Honors

The IIDA College of Fellows honors the outstanding contributions and accomplishments within the interior design profession, the community, and the Association by a professional member. It is one of the highest honors awarded to members. Each member exhibits exceptional leadership, professional achievement, and has impacted not only the interior design industry but the interior design profession. These IIDA Fellows impact the future of design through their dedication to the industry and their desire to build a better future through education and action. Below we highlight our newest fellow members Todd Heiser, FIIDA, Stefanie Shunk, FIIDA and Koreen Pelot, FIIDA.

Todd Heiser, FIIDA
Principal, Managing Director
Gensler

Todd Heiser, FIIDA is a Principal and Co-Managing Director in Gensler’s Chicago office. His leadership showcases more than 20 years of experience in next-generation design at the cutting edge of workplace strategies, and his commitment to a high level of conceptual and technical development, combined with a design process that champions client partnership, transforms spaces for his clients across the globe. With a genuine interest in people and passion for leading teams to personal and professional success, Heiser is a trusted mentor to many. His expertise is regularly sought after by organizations, conferences, and global media outlets, exemplifying his influence in the industry and beyond. Heiser is a member of Gensler’s Global Race and Diversity Committee.

“Being elevated to a fellow of IIDA means a lot. It's a culmination of my portfolio of work but more importantly it's about the impact of that work. It is a huge personal achievement, and I couldn't have done it without the incredible community of IIDA membership of past fellows that have mentored me.”- Todd Heiser, FIIDA

Stefanie Shunk, FIIDA
Design Director, Principal
Gensler

As a Principal and Design Director with over 30 years of experience, Shunk is a creative force known for fostering design innovation to propel her clients into the future. With a strong focus on technology, media, consumer goods, and financial services, she creates dynamic interiors that reflect a company’s core vision and values through close collaboration with her clients and her project teams. Whether working with companies like Campari, Google, Verizon, JPMC, or Cadillac, she designs purpose-driven, technology-rich, and hospitality-forward experiences that transform their business and culture. She is dedicated to investing in her team's development with the same rigor and attention to detail she brings to her work. A natural leader and mentor, she founded Gensler Northeast Region’s Design Leadership Program to grow the next generation of design leadership. Always looking to the future, Shunk passionately advocates and advances Gensler’s GC3 initiatives towards carbon neutrality and a more sustainable and resilient future.

“Being elevated to the IIDA College of Fellows, is such an honor and it means a lot. It is a moment of reflection for me, looking at the contributions I have been able to give to the community in terms of mentorship, the mentorship I received and looking at where I am in my career today. And now reflecting on what that means for the future and how I can continue to contribute to the impacts we create in design.”- Stefanie Shunk, FIIDA

Koreen Pelot, FIIDA
Account Manager
Shaw Contract

Pelot has 18 years of experience as a sales professional in the interior design industry. As an Account Manager with Shaw Contract, she combines her passion for bringing people together with a company that strives to create a better, fairer future for all. She joined IIDA Wisconsin as a young designer and has spent her career supporting the organization in multiple board positions throughout the years. Her passion for the growth and development of the Wisconsin Chapter has led the chapter to new heights. Pelot started the first-ever IIDA Chapter Foundation fund, in memory of her best friend, Susan Wohlitz, who was a Chapter President that passed away suddenly, in the midst of her Board term. Pelot’s response to that loss was to create a memorial fund, that has in years since, raised over $180,000 dollars and has benefited 105 students through design school. She “instigated” this first-ever Chapter managed Foundation Fund, and since that time nearly every IIDA Chapter has a philanthropic Fund in the Foundation. Pelot has mentored and assisted the design community, far and wide. While she's held some incredible positions throughout her career and in the IIDA organization, the title of 'mom' is her favorite. When she isn't at a design happening, you will find her at one of many sporting events with her very active boys.

“It is humbling to be recognized internationally for the work I’ve done for the WI Chapter. I love this organization and I’m proud to be the first manufacturer's representative to be inducted into the College of Fellows. Although I have a degree in Interior Architecture and my NCIDQ, I have been in sales for most of my career and through all of it I’ve volunteered in one capacity or another for IIDA WI. While my career goals are not made for personal recognition, every congratulations received, warms my heart and energizes me for the future.”- Koreen Pelot, FIIDA