FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2019

IIDA TO INAUGURATE SUSANA COVARRUBIAS AS 2019-2020 INTERNATIONAL BOARD PRESIDENT AND ADDITIONAL NEW BOARD MEMBERS AT ANNUAL MEETING

CHICAGO, IL — IIDA is proud to announce Susana Covarrubias, IIDA, as the 2019-2020 president of the IIDA International Board of Directors. Sascha Wagner, FIIDA, AIA, has been elected 2019-2020 president-elect. Also elected to the International Board for new terms as vice presidents are Ronnie Belizaire, IIDA; Jeff Fenwick, Industry IIDA; Erika Moody, IIDA; and Doug Shapiro, Industry IIDA.

“In her role at Gensler and as the president-elect of IIDA, Susana has demonstrated impeccable leadership, strong industry engagement, and a passion for utilizing design as a powerful tool for progress,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “We are pleased and excited to welcome both her and Sascha as the leaders of the International Board for this coming term.”

All international board members will be inaugurated at the IIDA Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 9 at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Susana Covarrubias, IIDA, is a design principal, studio director, and design director at Gensler, and has built a diverse design portfolio that includes workplace, hospitality, retail, residential, and building repositioning. She has received more than 25 design awards and more than 35 articles have been authored by her or published about her projects. Covarrubias has served as a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty member at local and international universities and is a regular participant in student mentoring programs.

Sascha Wagner, FIIDA, AIA, develops strategy, process, and partnerships as the CEO for Huntsman Architectural Group. His project work and articles on the practice of design have won a number of awards and been published in Inc., Interior Design, Metropolis, Perspective, Urban Land, and Contract, where he serves on the Editorial Advisory Board. A constant advocate for the design profession through involvement in IIDA and other organizations, Wagner has focused his career not only on creating impactful spaces but on helping designers reach their professional potential.

Ronnie Belizaire, IIDA, blends both business acumen and design expertise as corporate real estate manager for Daimler, helping to guide the company’s organizational goals for its various business entities through the strategic positioning of corporate real estate assets in the Americas. Belizaire is an experienced project manager and designer with over five million square feet of architectural, interiors, and industrial projects managed and delivered during her 13-year career. Belizaire is a dedicated IIDA volunteer whose previous service includes Georgia Chapter President from 2013-2014 and IIDA Foundation Chair from 2017-2019. Professionally, Belizaire has completed projects for numerous clients, including well-known Fortune 500 companies, helping them transform their organizations through the built environment.

Jeff Fenwick, Industry IIDA, is the president and CEO of Tarkett North America. With over 20 years of experience, Fenwick is a design leader who focuses on growth, margin improvement, and organizational effectiveness in the interiors industry. He has a wide range of experience that includes office furniture design, ergonomics, distribution, safety, and security. Fenwick understands that positive results come from building and nurturing strong relationships and the importance of personal values, creativity, and business ethics, which why he became involved with IIDA.

Erika Moody, IIDA, is a principal and shareholder at Helix Architecture + Design where she leads the firm’s robust interiors practice and is responsible for strategic direction and planning. Her perspective is informed by a career marked with leadership and driven by her entrepreneurial spirit; after serving as a principal at a large, international firm, she started her own design practice, which later merged with Helix. In addition to her many varied commitments to IIDA, including serving as the IIDA Mid America Chapter President from 2014 to 2015, Moody was recognized with the 2017 IIDA Mid America Chapter Vision Award, the highest award given to an individual who exemplifies notable qualities in leadership, design, and mentorship.

Doug Shapiro, Industry IIDA, is a regional vice president at OFS and has 15 years of experience with the company, previously holding the titles of vice president of marketing, director of A+D, and director of product development. He has extensive experience developing new products and collaborating with product designers across the globe. He is on the advisory board for Kansas State University’s Interior Architecture and Product Design department and is a published children’s book author. Shapiro plays a key role in continually developing programming for IIDA Student members.

This year’s new members will join the current International Board that includes Gabrielle Bullock, IIDA, FAIA, NOMA, principal and director of global diversity, Perkins+Will; James Kerrigan, IIDA, design principal, interiors, Jacobs; Angie Lee, IIDA, AIA, principal, design director, interiors, FXCollaborative; and Jon Otis, IIDA, principal and creative director, Object Agency (OlA), professor, interior design, Pratt Institute.

ABOUT IIDA

For 25 years, IIDA, the commercial interior design association with global reach, has been a leader in defining, supporting, and enriching the interior design profession. We support design professionals, industry affiliates, educators, students, firms and their clients through our network of 15,000+ members across 58 countries. We advocate for advancements in education, design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of interior design as a profession that enhances business value and positively impacts the health and well-being of people’s lives every day. www.iida.org