CHICAGO — IIDA is pleased to announce the induction of six new members to the prestigious IIDA College of Fellows. This year’s honorees are Gensler Principal and Global Director of Design Jean Anderson, FIIDA; Gensler Principal and Studio Director Susana Covarrubias, FIIDA; Perkins&Will Branded Environments Design Principal and Global Practice Leader Eileen Jones, FIIDA; Elkus Manfredi Architects Principal and Director of Interior Architecture Elizabeth Lowrey, FIIDA; Helix Architecture + Design President Erika Moody, FIIDA; and AECOM Senior Vice President and Interior Design Director, Americas Brett Shwery, FIIDA.

“The College of Fellows recognizes the leadership and innovation of creative, thought-leading individuals within IIDA and throughout the industry,” said College of Fellows Chair Viveca Bissonnette, FIIDA. “Each of this year’s inductees has showcased exemplary talent, passion, and authority throughout their careers, as well as a commitment to advocate for their peers and mentor the next generation of designers.”

Admission to the College of Fellows is the highest honor given by IIDA to its professional members, recognizing those whose activities and efforts have benefitted and enhanced IIDA, and whose design work has significantly influenced the design profession. For more information about the IIDA College of Fellows, visit IIDA.org.

Jean Anderson, FIIDA
Jean Anderson co-leads Gensler's Global Design Synergy Community and is a Design Principal in the New York office. She is focused on design excellence, working across the organization to ensure its designs continue to push the boundaries of impact, innovation, and experience. Anderson is a leading force in Gensler's commitment to achieve carbon neutrality in all its projects by 2030. As co-chair of the Gensler Global Race and Diversity Committee, she is also helping the firm create more opportunities in the design industry for minority communities and underserved youth. Working with recognizable consumer companies, Anderson knows how to balance great design with strategic solutions that help them realize their vision, inspire their culture, and celebrate their brand.

Susana Covarrubias, FIIDA
After receiving an architecture-focused education and beginning her design career in Chile, Gensler Studio Director and former IIDA International Board President, Susana Covarrubias, now resides in the U.S. where she leads various projects and programs. With a wide breadth of experience and an eye towards global collaboration, Covarrubias brings her passions for inclusivity and equity to each physical space she designs. Inspired by women throughout her life, Covarrubias offers consultation and assistance to other females in the industry, particularly young women seeking pathways to success. In her many leadership positions at Gensler and a successful tenure as the IIDA International Board President, Covarrubias has proven herself to be a force of innovation in the industry and beyond.

Eileen Jones, FIIDA
Eileen Jones is a Design Principal and the Branded Environments Global Practice Leader at Perkins&Will. For more than 40 years, she has crafted design solutions that capture the hearts and minds of her clients, building emotional bonds with place, and strengthening brand value. Her leadership in creative problem solving, research, and strategic thinking has positioned her and her teams for award-winning solutions and world-wide recognition. Working across all practice areas and around the globe, Jones’s work is diverse and uniquely reflects the character, culture, and brand of each individual client. She is a vocal advocate for design excellence across many design disciplines, a courageous proponent of an interdisciplinary team philosophy, and passionate about the education of future designers.

Elizabeth Lowrey, FIIDA
Principal and Director of Interior Architecture at Elkus Manfredi Architects, Elizabeth Lowrey, has been responsible for the firm’s interior architecture practice since its founding. Interior Design includes her on a list of “20 Inspiring Women who make up the new face of the design industry.” Boston Magazine once again names her among the 100 Most Influential Bostonians writing, “…as companies reimagine workspaces, there is perhaps no one more sought after. Sophisticated, savvy, and creative, her approach will no doubt shape the look of our city in the future.” Her clients include Walt Disney Imagineering, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Publicis Groupe, New Balance, Citizens Bank, and Harvard University. Lowrey is a guest columnist for Fast Company, Commercial Observer, Work Design Magazine and Banker & Tradesman.

Erika Moody, FIIDA
As President of Helix Architecture + Design, Erika Moody’s work prioritizes both form and function in the pursuit of her clients’ business, wellness, and culture goals. After a successful tenure as Principal of an international design firm, Moody formed her own design studio which later merged with Helix. Since then, Moody has played a key role in the firm’s increased revenue year-over-year and its industry recognition for detail-oriented design and client-focused service practices. As a Vice President on the IIDA International Board, the recipient of the 2017 IIDA Mid-America chapter Vision Award, and a member of industry-adjacent boards at multiple universities, Moody’s commitment to excellence extends far beyond her own firm and into the future of the industry on a global scale.

Brett Shwery, FIIDA
Senior Vice President and Interior Design Director, Americas of AECOM Brett Shwery’s body of work is grounded in storytelling and his belief in design as an intersection of possibility, vision, and execution across disciplines and industries. After years working with some of the world’s leading firms, Shwery’s commitment to people-centered design and passion for an integrated approach allow him to lead at AECOM and beyond with creativity and mentorship in mind. In 2018, Shwery received ANEW Foundations’ national Stewardship Champion Award for dedication to social and environmental sustainability in the industry, further exemplifying his commitment globally to the power of design backed by intentionality and innovation.