IIDA Names Mark Bryan as Chief Research and Strategy Officer

CHICAGO—IIDA is excited to announce Mark Bryan, IIDA, as the association’s first Chief Research and Strategy Officer. Bryan joins IIDA’s executive team as a key driver of IIDA’s focus on a future that encompasses the profession of commercial interior design, the design industry, and the ever-expanding context of design at large. Bryan’s role represents a new chapter for the organization, expanding IIDA’s capability to deliver best-in-class research and globally-based insights for members and the design community; as well as a strategic capacity that will both inform the association’s forward momentum and act as a leading source of future knowledge for the design industry.

IIDA’s continuing investment in future-focused leadership has also led to the launch of IIDA Futures, a new brand within IIDA Headquarters, led by Bryan. IIDA Futures will consolidate IIDA’s work in foresight practice, with strategy, research and thought leadership that will create a robust foresight resource for the design community and others seeking insight, knowledge, and direction. IIDA’s one-of-a-kind Certified Design Futurist course will take its place alongside new content, educational offerings, and exclusive reports within the IIDA Futures brand.

“This marks a significant moment for IIDA,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “One that allows us to build on the strengths of the organization and introduce new capabilities that will point the way to an incredibly vibrant, vital future. Mark’s considerable skills as a foresight practitioner, as well as his deep knowledge of the design industry, make him the ideal addition to an executive team that is focused on opening doors to what’s next for our membership and our industry.”

“I’m honored to be joining IIDA at such an auspicious moment; I can’t imagine a more crucial time to bring a robust, in-house foresight practice to an organization that has already invested so much in the future of our profession and industry,” said Bryan. “The momentum is on our side, and I can’t wait to explore all the ways in which IIDA will be shaping the future of design.”

Bryan comes to IIDA with an impressive background as both a designer and a foresight practitioner. He has served as IIDA’s Futurist-in-Residence, and played an instrumental role in developing and proctoring IIDA’s Certified Design Futurist course. His work as a Senior Foresight Manager at the Future Today Strategy Group included close collaboration with FTSG founder Amy Webb, and leading the Built Environment, Hospitality, Retail, Restaurants & CPG practices. He has also authored and provided insights into the Supply Chain, Logistics, and Manufacturing industries.

Bryan has worked as a workplace strategist, designer, design researcher, and futurist for clients across the country, with a portfolio that includes national foundations, global CPG companies, product manufacturers, national retail brands, higher education institutions, nonprofits, multi-family developers, healthcare systems, senior living facilities, restaurants, and large corporate clients. He has developed research surrounding what leaders need to know about the future of workplace culture and authored several whitepapers on topics such as co-living strategy, distance learning, and senior living facilities. In his work at FTSG, Mark explored the future of communities, digital interactions, supply chain and logistics, geographic cities, the workplace, immersive experiences, hotels and restaurants, design, manufacturing, urban planning, engineering, and emerging technology’s impact on various industries and sectors.