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

The IIDA Leaders Breakfast is an annual event series hosted by IIDA chapters that celebrate 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 two local individuals who are making significant contributions to the design industry with the Leadership Award of Excellence Presentation and for the first time in Houston, the Emerging Leader award.

Keynote Speaker

Maggie Jackson
Journalist, Author, Social Critic

Jackson is an award-winning author and social critic with a global reach. A former columnist for The Boston Globe and foreign correspondent for the Associated Press, Jackson also has written for The New York Times and other leading publications around the world. Jackson has won more than a half-dozen awards for her writings along with numerous fellowships and grants. Her new book, Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure, explores why we should seek not-knowing in an era of flux and angst. Nominated for a National Book Award, Uncertain was selected as one of the 25 best non-fiction titles of 2024 according to the "Next Big Idea Club" led by Malcolm Gladwell. Jackson’s renowned book, Distracted: Reclaiming our Focus in a World of Lost Attention sparked a global conversation on the costs of fragmenting our attention and helped inspire Google’s global initiative to promote digital well-being. A high-energy keynote speaker, panelist, and moderator, she has advised leading executives, scientists, educators, and change-makers worldwide.

Leadership Award of Excellence

Catherine M. Richard, IIDA
Associate Partner | Senior Interior Designer
Kirksey Architecture

Cathy began her career in 1986 and joined Kirksey Architecture's Interiors practice in 2004. Committed to the progress and growth of her profession and is an active member of the design community, her expertise encompasses space planning, furniture specifications, finish selections, and design. Her portfolio spans a diverse range of projects, from 3,000 square feet to 1,000,000 square feet, serving local and global clients. She has been a member of IIDA since 1992 and served in leadership positions throughout her career, including as President of the Houston City Center. Richard also served on the State board and continues to participate in many events throughout the year, including the Student Day annual event. Additionally, Richard is an active member of CoreNet Houston and has been a Girl Scout leader for over a decade. Her creativity and exceptional communication skills positively impact every project she works on, enhancing her leadership and mentorship within the firm.

Emerging Leader Award

Brianna N. LeFlore, IIDA
Associate | Project Interior Designer
Page

With over seven years of design experience, LeFlore’s philosophy is to design spaces that connect the built environment and human interaction. She understands that doing so not only strengthens a project’s overall success but also upholds the value and integrity of the user’s experience. As an emerging leader, she advocates and shares her story with younger generations by doing career days in the Houston area, and mentoring design students at her alma mater, Sam Houston State University. Brianna has fine-tuned her design application and software skills on multiple projects including corporate office, multifamily housing, hospitality, and healthcare. She combines her passion for people and well-curated interior design to fully hone-in and commit to great design intent. Her personal approach to design is to create concepts and ideas that are unique to each project and can aide in its vision and storytelling.

Location:
Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Ln, Houston, TX 77027

Champion I $5,550

• Preferred Table Location for 10 at event
• 10 copies of a Leadership Book or Speaker’s book for you and your guests
• Promotional Logo Recognition at event
• Promotional Company Listing in Event Digital Itinerary
• Recognition During Event

Patron I $3,500

• Preferred Table Location for 10 at event
• Promotional Logo Recognition at event
• Promotional Company Listing in Event Digital Itinerary
• Recognition During Event
  

Supporter I $2,500

• Table for 10 at Event
• Promotional Logo Recognition at event
• Promotional Company Listing in Event Digital Itinerary

Half Table I $1,250

• Table for 5 at Event
• Recognition at Event
• Promotional Company Listing in Event Digital Itinerary
  

Individual Tickets $275