ASID Honors Rising Leaders in Interior Design With Ones To Watch
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) recently announced the winners and scholars of its Ones to Watch program, an initiative dedicated to recognizing and supporting talent and career accomplishments from interior design professionals from underrepresented populations. Through applications and interviews, the 2024 class of scholars and winners showcased a particularly impressive eagerness and desire to become thoughtful leaders and advocates in the profession, with many acting as committed mentors focused on helping students and fostering the next generation of design.
“ASID’s Ones to Watch program demonstrates one of our core values of promoting diversity and inclusion at ASID and within our industry,” said Khoi Vo, chief executive officer, ASID. “The interior design practice is a universal language that serves all communities regardless of race, sexuality, gender and ability. Our community should reflect the beautiful diversity of our world at all levels, because the design world is a place for everyone. Understanding the importance of upholding this principle at our organization is key to uplifting these underrepresented communities and providing resources and networking that will elevate careers and position the next generation of leaders.”
Established in 2017, Ones to Watch identifies and recognizes advancing leaders in the interior design industry who show exceptional leadership potential and a willingness to expand the boundaries of the profession. Emphasis is placed on participants whose backgrounds are currently underrepresented in management roles in the interior design industry, including women, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+, and persons with disabilities. Up to 20 applicants are selected annually as award-winners and from those, eight are chosen as scholars who receive additional opportunities to excel.
ASID offers winners and scholars opportunities to establish connections with peers and industry leaders, gain national recognition, participate in ASID events and conferences, and access leadership opportunities within ASID and the design community. Scholars have additional benefits from their two-year leadership development training program, including one-on-one and group executive coaching, curated network-building experiences, positioning as thought leaders at ASID national programs, and skill development opportunities to aid in their mentorship of the next era of leaders.
2024 One to Watch Winners
Learn more about this year’s Ones to Watch scholars:
Amanda Davis, ASID Allied, IIDA, Associate, Design Lead, Meyer Davis Studio
With over 10 years of industry experience, Amanda Davis has honed the ability to create meaningful spatial moments while bringing a contemporary and chic aesthetic to every project. Her design vocabulary and attention to detail are formed by an education in architectural engineering, highlighted by a master’s degree from the New York School of Interior Design. Along with experience in building code and law consulting, Davis is comfortable connecting all areas of architecture and interior design as they relate to each other to create spaces that are not only functional, but stunning. Davis has collaborated on high-end residential projects, as well as award-winning hospitality projects, both domestic and international. Bridging the gap between the client, the end user, and the space itself, she develops thoughtful spaces that offer the luxuries of a hospitality experience, while making one’s everyday life a destination.
Amber Ferguson, ASID, NCIDQ, Interior Designer, Meshberg Group
Amber Ferguson grew up in a military household. When she began thinking about what career she wanted, she was lost. Ferguson joined the United States Air Force, to continue the lifestyle of traveling, giving herself time to understand herself better and learn what she wanted to spend the rest of her life doing. After traveling Europe and some of Asia, she ended up at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, her last base, before she began exploring her next move. Ferguson went to see what the local schools had to offer and discovered a design program. Floored by the beautiful marriage of technical and artistry that is interior design, Ferguson signed up, and never looked back. After graduating she started her career at Gensler and recently transitioned to Meshberg Group. She feels honored to work in a field she loves and hopes to make a difference for all aspiring designers.
Jae Hwa Lee, Ph.D., ASID Educator, EDAC, Associate Professor Interior Architecture & Design, Florida State University
Jae Hwa Lee, Ph.D., EDAC, is an Associate Professor of Interior Architecture and Design at Florida State University. She received her doctoral degree at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, College of Design, Construction and Planning, with a concentration in Interior Design. Her research focuses on establishing creative learning climates through creative confidence pedagogy across disciplines. Dr. Lee also seeks innovative design solutions to spark creativity by examining human behaviors and interpreting sensory experiences in the built environment. Based on the theories of environmental psychology, she applies diverse research methods to provide healthy public spaces, such as academic libraries and hospitality. Her scholarship has been well presented in top-tier peer-reviewed journals and at academic conferences. Dr. Lee serves on the Review Board of the Journal of Interior Design and has been invited to review journal articles for publication. She is an active member of IDEC, EDRA, and APA.
Telsa Love, ASID, IIDA, NCIDQ, WELL AP, Design Directors, Interiors, CosciaMoos Architecture
Telsa Love leads CosciaMoos’ Interior Design team. She specializes in commercial, hospitality, and healthcare products, leads project teams through all things interior from start to finish, and has a solid foundation in FF&E selection, space planning, test-fits, branding, and wayfinding. She is also a WELL Accredited Practitioner, meaning she has expertise in the design of spaces that promote physical and mental well-being for users. In addition to actively participating in the design community and other professional organizations, Love works as an adjunct professor and thesis advisor for Drexel University students. She is a dedicated member of Professional Women in Construction, Urban Land Institute, and NAIOP, and participated in the 2023 GPLEX Conference.
Kellyn Messel, ASID Allied, Assoc. IIDA, Hospitality Sector Lead, Interior Designer II, LS3P
As the Hospitality Sector Leader at LS3P Greenville, Kellyn Brewer Messel is deeply immersed in multi-family housing design, collaborating closely with development clients across the Southeast. With six years of professional experience, her expertise is marked by a passion for crafting compelling narratives within each project. At the heart of her approach lies storytelling, ensuring that every design embodies a distinct and captivating narrative. Through her unique perspective, Messel aims to infuse each project with a sense of individuality, setting them apart from the rest and creating memorable experiences for both clients and occupants alike.
Jinoh Park, Ph.D., ASID Educator, Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas
Dr. Jinoh Park is an educator, practitioner, and researcher in Design. His background is in Interior Design, Business Administration, and Design Research with professional experience since 2005. He has experienced various scales of practice, including planning, architecture, interior, furniture, products, and service design, and currently runs his design studio 331C&co. In addition, he has been teaching students in undergraduate and graduate programs since 2010. He is currently teaching Interior Design at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and Design Management at the Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technology.
Veronica Sanders, ASID Allied, CEO/Principal Interior Designer, Design with Veronica Sanders
Veronica is a hard worker and a true success story. She overcame many life challenges, including being a teen mom working dead-end jobs, to become a successful business owner. Her background began in luxury residential, hospitality, and set design creating spaces with Mikel Welch of Design Star and the Steve Harvey show. She was a project manager on new build and has renovated homes to restaurant refreshes, commercial shoots, and home makeovers for television. She’s had the honor of designing lavish VIP green rooms for prominent personalities, including Steve Harvey and Erykah Badu along with winning the Halle Berry logo design competition. Her clients and colleagues love her because she is creative, personable, and always lending a helping hand. Blazing trails with her volunteerism, dedication and willingness to go above and beyond have made her one of the most sought-after interior designers in the area.
Marianne Starke, ASID, IIDA Associate, Associate, Senior Designer, Gensler
Marianne Starke was born and raised in Mexico City and now lives in Chicago. She is the eldest of three and has a cross-cultural education and professional experience. She has lived in three countries and lived in five major cities. Starke also speaks three different languages and is always looking to challenge herself and push boundaries which allows her to open doors and tailor her own unique journey. Starke is an Architect and Interior Designer – a hybrid background that helps her develop a different array of skills that push her to cross over on projects and design phases. She is passionate about creating new ways to challenge design. Starke is thankful for all the places her life and work have taken her, the people she has gotten to meet, the ways in which she has pushed color, ideas and curiosity, and creativity to create new spaces.
