The ASID Advocate by Design (AxD) Council advocates for and educates on the impact of interior design within the built environment and how interior designers safeguard the life, health, safety, welfare, and well-being of building occupants and the public.
The AxD Council monitors, researches, and engages in the development of codes, standards and professional practices, plus supports ASID’s efforts to advance legislative, regulatory, and public policies that protect and benefit the interior design profession.
The AxD Council is comprised of volunteer members who work with a staff liaison, currently the Manager of Government and Public Affairs at ASID HQ, and a national board of directors’ liaison. To get involved or to learn more about the AxD Council, please contact Lauren Earley, ASID HQ Manager of Government & Public Affairs at learley@asid.org.
The AxD Council is made up of an Executive Committee and three (3) committees with six (6) total subcommittees that cover subject matters relevant to ASID members and stakeholders, the interior design profession, and the built environment at large. These subject matter areas focus on educating members and the public on how thoughtful design by qualified practitioners can positively impact the lives of building occupants and the general public.
ASID National Board of Directors Liaison: Elizabeth Von Lehe, Allied ASID
ASID HQ Staff Liaison: Lauren Earley, Esq.
Chair: Virginia Weida, ASID, NCIDQ, CFM, LEED AP, WELL AP
Past Chair: Tracey Fillmore, ASID, CAPS, Green AP, RID [FL]
Vice Chair: Susan Morgan, FASID, NCIDQ, LEED AP, CAPS, RID [FL]
Secretary: Angeline Aradanas-Hall, ASID, Architect [CO, CA]
Member At-large: Leslie Shankman-Cohn, FASID, CAPS, CGP, RID [TN]
Chair: Tracey Fillmore, ASID, CAPS, Green AP, RID [FL]
Chair: Benjamin Huntington, FASID, NCIDQ, CID [NY]
Chair: Douglas Feldman, ASID, CAPS, Allied AIA, RID [FL]
Chair: Tracey Fillmore, ASID, CAPS, Green AP, RID [FL]
The Policy, Codes, and Standards Committee (PCSC) advocates on behalf of and educates the design community and general public regarding the effects of the constructed environment on life, health, safety, and welfare of the public. PCSC members are dedicated to making sure that the impact of interior design ensures that spaces are healthy, safe, and inclusive. The Committee is comprised of three technical Subcommittees with subject matter experts overseeing the following on behalf of ASID and the industry.
Chair: Susan Morgan, FASID, NCIDQ, LEED AP, CAPS, RID [FL]
ASID interior designer practitioners and architect members that collectively practice on all types of commercial and residential design projects. We advocate, educate, advance legislative, regulatory, and public policies regarding the impact of interior design within the built environment. We monitor and engage in the development of ADA, Universal Design, Aging in Place, Fair Housing, ANSI 117.1, accessibility design, construction standards and best practices.
Chair: Tracey Fillmore, ASID, CAPS, Green AP, RID [FL]
The Building, Fire, and Life Safety Subcommittee (BFLS) is deeply engaged in “bureaucratic advocacy,” advocating for the interior design profession from the inside by engaging as policymakers. We leverage interior designers' knowledge of the codes and expertise in the profession to participate in the code-making process.
Chair: Maria Lomanto, Allied ASID, WELL AP, LFA, FITWEL Ambassador
As the world changes around us, the AxD Sustainability and Wellness Subcommittee seizes the opportunity to equip interior designers with tools to make an unprecedented mark on the built environment. We provide tools for continued learning exploration related to all aspects of interior design – materiality, the built environment, and supporting the well-being of occupants. With the goal of creating healthier and more sustainable environments, we evaluate the tools and resources to bring forward the best to our membership. It is our utmost desire to funnel our collective expertise to the entire ASID organization and design community.
Chair: Benjamin Huntington, FASID, NCIDQ, CID [NY]
The Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee (EPRC) advocates for an understanding of the importance of the professional responsibilities of practicing interior designers and all ASID members on clients and the public. The EPRC also promotes adherence by practitioners to the Code of Ethics and conformance with the Standards of Practice.
Chair: Douglas Feldman, ASID, CAPS, Allied AIA, RID [FL]
The Outreach & Engagement Committee (O&E Committee) is comprised of three subcommittees: Advocacy Support Team; Fundraising & Events; and Newsletter. O&E focuses on ASID chapter partnerships recognized strategic alliances, and sets goals to be achieved through training, communication strategies, social platforms, and fundraising that can support the AxD Council’s Committees and Subcommittees.
Co-Chair: Emmy Williams, NCIDQ, ASID, IIDA, NC RID
Co-Chair: Janie Hirsch, ASID, RID
The Advocacy Support Team (AST) Advisors are national leaders who possess the ability to educate, motivate and support the Chapter Advocacy Chairpersons (CAC) to implement the strategic advocacy and legislative objectives of the Society as determined by the ASID National Board. The role of the AST Advisors is to assist the CAC’s as they advance advocacy at the grass roots / chapter level through the local Chapter Advocacy Committees, the chapter board, chapter leaders and the interior design community as a whole.
Chair: Patrick J. Schmidt, FASID, RID
The ASID Advocate by Design Outreach and Engagement Fundraising & Events Subcommittee works to secure funding in support of the AxD mission through original initiatives, partnership opportunities and fund-raising events. These vital efforts are solely for the purpose of financing the important mission of the ASID AxD Council. AxD initiatives needing your financial help and support.
Chair: Michelle Jacobson, ASID, NCIDQ, MPS, WELL AP, LFA, FITWEL Ambassador, LEED AP ID+C, GREEN AP, TRUE Advisor
The O&E Newsletter Subcommittee partners with the ASID marketing and communications department (MarCom) to produce the AxD newsletter, various other AxD publications, AxD social content, and the online AxD Resource Library.
A Chapter Support Team (CST) Advisor demonstrates a commitment to ASID, its mission and vision. CST are national leaders who possess the ability to develop and motivate peer leaders into carrying out the strategic objectives of the Society as determined by the ASID National Board.
CST Advisors are the first point of contact for chapter board leadership and should feel comfortable with bylaw, policy and guideline interpretation, dissemination, and act to facilitate a solutions for community leadership, working with HQ staff as needed.
Chair: Olivia “Livi” Snyder, ASID
Chair-elect Madeline Randolfi, ASID, NCIDQ
Arial Cox, Allied ASID
Benjamin Huntington, FASID, NY CID, NCIDQ
Gisele Taylor-Wells, ASID, NCIDQ, LEED AP
Corey Allen Davey, ASID, RID, NCIDQ
Kathleen Bohlken, Allied ASID
Susan El-Naggar, ASID, NCIDQ, RID, WELL AP, LEED GA
Victoria Reitz, ASID
To get involved or to learn more, please contact chapters@asid.org.
The ASID National Awards Committee (NAC) will elevate the national awards program to amplify the profession and industry, showcasing the positive impact on people and the planet.
Tamie Glass, ASID
Primo Orpilla, ASID
AJ Paron, Hon. FASID, LEED AP ID+C, WELL AP
Avinash Rajagopal
Elizabeth Von Lehe, Allied ASID
To get involved or learn more, please contact education@asid.org.
The Professional Development Committee (PDC) advances ASID education by supporting the development of high-caliber learning resources and engagement experiences, benefiting all members of the interior design community as they advance through their careers.
Leah Bauer, ASID, IFMA, NCIDQ, Chair
David Euscher, ASID, NCIDQ, WELL AP
Amanda Gale, Ph.D., ASID, NCIDQ, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C
Eric Haydel, Allied ASID
Megan Hochman, ASID, NCIDQ
Mona Nahm, ASID, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
To get involved or learn more, please contact education@asid.org.
The ASID IMPACT Network formed to identify knowledge gaps in the design community and set a plan for professionals at every stage to engage with thought leaders across multiple disciplines to solve the problems of our shared future. In March 2022, ASID published the five INSIGHTS Briefs, free of charge to the public and to the interior design community. Moving forward, the IMPACT Network will engage practitioners, academics, researchers, and scientists in allied fields to advance the work of human-centered design. The work of the committee will be carried out by dedicated volunteer thought leaders and supported by leaders in industries and organizations focused on the interior built environment.
Co-Chair: Kristie Nicoloff, ASID, IIDA, NCIDQ
Co-Chair: Dana Nunn, FASID, NCIDQ, WELL AP
The Committee on Adaptive Living (CoAL) is reimagining the design of senior living communities. By 2030, one in five Americans is projected to be 65 and over. In the recent pandemic, individuals in the present-day cohort of seniors have suffered from accelerated declines in health. They have experienced the burden of social isolation exacerbated by pandemic safety measures and the current offering of senior housing. How might we employ versatile living solutions that actively support the health and wellbeing of this growing group? CoAL envisions a future state developed around adaptability, wellness, and inclusion for residents, staff, families, and communities.
Co-Chair: Alison Faecher, NCIDQ, EDAC, LEED AP
Co-Chair: Ruju Jasani, NCIDQ, SEED
The interior design profession lacks representation of underserved demographics, impacting practice, education, and brand identity.
Co-Chair: Angelita Scott, Ph.D., Allied ASID
Co-Chair: Denise Rush, FASID, IDEC, IIDA
This committee, focused on the impact ASID and our members have on climate, health, and equity. We are committed to lessening our members impact on the planet by creating a program directed to the following goals: Chapter Advocacy to provide our chapters with effective rubrics allowing them to lessen and measure their impact on the environment, the collection and curation of a library of resources that support any member that strives to improve the way they practice design and finally, to create language around excellence in design such that any award or recognition that ASID supports includes language around improving our planet and eco systems.
Committee Members
Jenn Chen
David Cordell
Susan MacMurchy
Emily McGarvey
Linda Sorento
Jon Strassner
Lisa Tucker
Ken Wilson