SAVE THE DATE to spotlight leadership in the Chicago design community!

The IIDA Leaders Breakfast is an annual international event series that celebrates design’s importance in the global marketplace by honoring the people who are both the legacy and future of design. This is made possible through the support of IIDA Headquarters, International Benefactor MillerKnoll, and Media Partner Interior Design.

Each event features a renowned keynote speaker who enlightens, provokes, and encourages new ideas, and a celebration recognizing one local individual who is making significant contributions to the design industry with the Leadership Award of Excellence Presentation.

Leadership Award of Excellence Honoree

Jennifer Cusack
CEO, Co-Founder
Corporate Concepts

As CEO and Co-Founder of Corporate Concepts, Cusack has transformed the company from its humble beginnings into one of the largest furniture dealerships in the Midwest, renowned for its commitment to service and client success. An entrepreneur at heart, Cusack leads by example, embodying the integrity, work ethic, and attention to detail that define Corporate Concepts. Throughout her 40+ years with the company, Cusack has achieved numerous milestones, including high-profile corporate headquarters projects and navigating the firm through various economic and industry challenges. Her belief in the industry’s potential to positively impact communities is evident through her long tenure on the DIFFA board. Cusack has also been a shining example for women in leadership, inspiring and mentoring others through her generosity, dedication, and vision.

Keynote Speaker

Austin Johnston
CEO, AKJOHNSTON Group
President Experiential Guild of America

Austin Johnston is an entrepreneur whose early experiences ignited a passion-led career into themed entertainment design and build. He has founded and still maintains: AKJOHNSTON, a celebrated brand agency for experiential activations; IMMERSED, a new venture for theme park and permanent design and build for diverse commercial spaces; and ModDim, an accessible product line of modular theatrical backdrops. Founded in 2008 without partners, investment or financing, the collective “AKJOHNSTON Group” has evolved from a technical production company to become an award-winning turnkey firm offering a limitless range of design, production and management capabilities. Housed in over 86,000 square feet they offer our clients local service with international reach. AKJOHNSTON's creative teams strategize, develop and design impactful campaigns. They're production teams transform those bold visions into reality, developing logistical roadmaps and methods to execute the impossible! They're fabrication department builds world-class experiences from the ground up.
This group is at the intersection of where stories are told through sensory experiences, and Austin, with his team, are leading the industry!

Emerging Leader Honoree

Jamie Cavalier
Associate | Project Manager
Huntsman Architectural Group

Jamie Cavalier has been a longtime member of the IIDA Illinois Chapter and served as the VP of Sponsorship from 2018-2020 before serving an executive term as Illinois Chapter board President. During her time as President-Elect/President, she also assisted in supporting the Illinois advocacy efforts to move interior design legislation forward. She worked with CIDQ, ASID and IIDA at state hearings with the Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation, on lobbying efforts in Springfield, and negotiation discussions with AIA to amend the Registered Interior Designers Act in Illinois to allow stamp and seal privileges. The legislation passed in June of 2022. In addition to contributions with IIDA, Cavalier has also been a volunteer designer with Designs 4 Dignity on projects over the last ten years, including most recently wrapping up design for a new office for a women’s domestic violence support organization earlier this summer. She’s passionate about both making the design profession better for future generations and giving back to the community when possible.

Location:
Swissotel, 323 W Wacker Dr

Rise and Shine | $6,500 | (1) AVAILABLE

• Full Table for 10 at Event
• Welcoming Sponsor of 7am Coffee Reception with signage recognition
• Company Logo at Reception
• Priority Table Placement

Full Table | $3,250

• Full Table for 10 at Event
• Premium Table Placement at Event

Half Table | $1,500

• Half Table for 5 at Event
• Strategic Seating Assignments with Other Half Table Groups

Individual Member Ticket | $250

• Individual Ticket to the Event
• Seating at Table with Other IIDA Members, Industry Peers, and Colleagues

Individual Non-Member Ticket | $350

• Individual Non-Member Ticket to the Event