Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

Historically, manufacturing operations management has been mostly comprised with men. So, as an under 40-year-old woman working in a key management position for a large manufacturer of furnishings for use in educational settings, I believe I am blazing a trail for other women to explore and pursue careers in operations. I think my work also demonstrates to the mostly male team reporting to me that a female leader within manufacturing operations can be a competent and caring woman.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

Developing and maintaining extraordinary mentors. To be nominated for NexGen Rising Star by Paragon's President, Mark Hubbard, is something I am very proud of. That Mark acknowledges my contributions to Paragon and encourages me to continue learning and striving to positively impact the lives of the people within our organization motivates me to be the best version of myself. In a relatively short amount of time, and working within two very different industries, I have had the opportunity to grow alongside some wonderful leaders and develop relationships which have molded me into the leader I am today. I am so thankful and honored to receive this nomination.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

I am dedicated to enhancing educational experiences by transforming learning environments. Our designs prioritize the creation of spaces that promote collaboration, engagement, and active learning. Utilizing the Radically Student Centered™ Approach, I customize each space to cater to the diverse needs of students, thereby making learning more accessible and enjoyable. This approach contributes to improved student outcomes, heightened teacher satisfaction, and a vibrant educational atmosphere. My ultimate aim is to establish environments where students flourish, fostering innovation and critical thinking skills essential for their future success.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

I am proud of the positive feedback from clients and users. When educators, students, and administrators express appreciation for the functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal of the spaces I've designed, it's a testament to my ability to understand and meet their needs effectively.

Designing spaces that align with the educational institution's mission and values, whether it's promoting inclusivity, diversity, or wellness, allows me to make a meaningful contribution to the broader goals of education. I am proud of the collaborative partnerships I have built with architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders involved in the design and construction process fosters a team-based approach that can lead to more successful outcomes and projects that exceed client expectations.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

I am making a difference in the education industry by creating, designing, and implementing active learning spaces in my school district, empowering other administrators, district leaders, teachers, and even students through the truth that SPACE MATTERS. In addition, I am making a difference through sharing the research, from the ECLPS program, with other educators and leaders. In doing so, the passion and purpose for innovative learning spaces is beginning to spread wide and far. rom an empathy-based perspective, inside the KI organization helps our company enhance the lives of all the students and educators who engage with our furniture and design process.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

I am proud of winning the 2024 KI Learning Space Competition. I am proud of the ways I have put into use and practice many of the tools (Deck of Spaces) and research (too many white papers to count!) in supporting other district administrators and classroom teachers throughout our district in how to better understand and utilize learning space as an instructional tool to positively impact teaching and learning. I am proud of the decision-making and change process I am pursing in disrupting the way new schools and classrooms in our district are furnished, making way for the process to be more intentional, thoughtful, and research-based.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

Previously, I represented leading brands in the education space, such as Herman Miller and Shaw Contract, where I transformed traditional learning environments into dynamic, engaging learning studios and created needed educational interior products that design professionals selected to enhance these spaces. Now, as the co-owner of Modern Context, I am focused on AI enablement, helping organizational leaders and individual contributors enhance their effectiveness, quality, and human connections through practical uses of readily available tools.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

I am proud of successfully reimagining typical learning spaces into dynamic learning studios at institutions such as the University of New England and Lackawanna College, inspiring educators and students to adopt more interactive and engaging teaching methods, leveraging space as an active participant in the learning experience. I am also proud of my Board Membership at Green Schools National Network where I have contributed to the promotion of sustainability and green practices in schools, advocating for student-centered approaches and environmentally conscious initiatives.In terms of AI Enablement Initiatives, I pioneered AI-driven strategies at Modern Context that enhance business operations and human connections, helping organizational leaders and individual contributors enhance their effectiveness, quality, and human connections through practical uses of readily available tools.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

As a Lead Product Development Engineer at CEF Inc., my team and I have made it our goal to bring change to the age-old education model through the furniture that we bring to the market. We have so many schools across the country that are using the same furniture that was installed 30, 40, or 50 years ago. This poses a problem due to the rapid changes in technology and society. Thus, the furniture that is in many of our schools doesn't work cohesively with the day to day needs of our current education system. As my team and I begin development on new products, we try to be innovative by creating furniture that solves problems for students and educators.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

Having experienced firsthand the impact that educators can have on a student's path as they move into higher education as well their future careers, I am very grateful to be able to continuously develop innovative products that make their jobs easier. I am proud of the products I have been able to play a role in bringing to market, such as the Chameleon Classroom System, the Limber table, the ESTO line of desks and tables, and possibly our biggest project yet launching at EDspaces 2024. I am also proud of the relationships I have been able to develop with others in the industry that have in turn aided my team and me in the development of meaningful products.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

I want to change the lens of education through our marketing efforts. My goal is to promote spaces for learners of all ages to be the best they can be in the classroom, no matter their learning level and educators to feel comfortable in their space.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

I have a passion for helping the neurodivergent community, and I led the efforts to get our Pods (by National) accredited as a Certified Autism Resource.I have developed several relationships in this industry that have helped me better myself and, in turn, my organization. These relationships have given me the push to further my own education by pursuing certifications and joining collectives and industry organizations. Through my passion of education, I have become a subject matter expert for Kimball International. I provide trends, product suggestions, and more for our organization. I also collaborated with our Design Futurist on the latest season of the Alternative Design Podcast, which was focused on the Future of Education.

What problem are you solving in the field of education?

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

I refuse to produce cookie cutter designs for classrooms. I focus on challenging each client or team of educators to think differently. With the aid of discovery exercises I help each township prioritize needs, how they can change their "norm" and their wants. These activities help aid in a design that is well thought out, progressive, and adaptable for future proofing these classrooms. With a background in design and facilities management, I hope to find a plan that will work for student's needs, educator's plans, and building foreman's management.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

When we built our K12 team, I was the only designer. As the team developed, I have been able to help train an additional designer when he joined the team. We know tag team all the new business, existing clients, and bid opportunites for our K12 market. Since I helped develop this team, our business has grown exponentially. Because our team and business has grown, I was able to aid in the design of a purely K12 showroom. This is one of a kind in the nation. We host teachers, administration, design and architecture firms and even corporate clients in the space. Everyone is overwhelmed with the invested interest in our students and their development during their time in the K12 setting.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

I am making a difference in the education industry by helping design furniture and learning environments that facilitate learning at a deeper level. With an extensive background in education, I bring educational principles into every design. To stay ahead, I pursue courses, like ECLPS, that extend my knowledge of not just where education is today, but where it is going in the future.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

I am immensely proud of my current role, where I leverage my educational expertise in the development of innovative classroom products I collaborate with a skilled team of engineers who help bring these products to life, enhancing learning spaces across campuses. Additionally, I work alongside the marketing team to craft narratives for each product, ensuring that their purpose, usage, and benefits to student well-being and learning environments are clearly communicated. It is truly fulfilling to contribute to the creation of learning environments with furniture designed to improve education now and in the future.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

I am impacting the education industry by reviewing with dealers, designers, and educators the essential tools for creating conducive learning environments. The three key attributes I believe I contribute to are: facilitating active learning in the classroom by training dealers and designers on the furniture that EDmarket members offer; promoting inclusivity in the school setting by offering furniture designed to accommodate students with diverse needs, like height-adjustable desks/tables and sensory-integrated furniture; and cultivating innovation and creativity in the classroom.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

I am proud that I left a corporate sales job with a Fortune 10 company to work at a small business, passionate about bettering the education market and making my contributions to the company directly impactful. This sense of tangible impact is gratifying and fulfilling. Being one of the youngest people in my industry Leaders have entrusted me with a role typically filled by people twice my age I am proud that when I walk into a meeting or a trade show floor, I am generally one of the youngest in the room. This gives me a sense of achievement, knowing that in my short time in the industry, I have already hit metrics and goals that I thought would take much longer. I am proud that people turn to me and ask for input, knowing I can bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

In the edtech space, I'm passionate about amplifying solutions that ignite student engagement and empower educators. By championing these products through strategic branding and marketing, I've played a key role in bringing them to the forefront of the industry. The positive impact these tools have had on student learning and teacher efficiency is incredibly rewarding. Additionally, my unique perspective as someone who doesn't fit the typical edtech mold allows me to identify needs and approaches that might otherwise be overlooked. I have been able to also create a collaborative environment that empowers the individuals on the team to share their ideas and grow professionally in their career.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

My career highlight is building a robust marketing and events department at Clear Touch. Starting as a solo Event Coordinator managing over 100 trade shows, the company realized to grow the company and the brand we would need to invest in bringing the marketing department in house. Over six years, I spearheaded the creation of a nine-person team that now oversees all company marketing and events. Leading the project management of our new 10,000 square-foot Experience Center was a rewarding endeavor. Over two years, I collaborated with stakeholders to translate the vision into reality, overseeing contractor delegation, space design, and adhering to timelines. The Experience Center serves as a powerful tool for us to showcase collaborative environments to decision-makers. I've fostered strategic partnerships with organizations sharing similar goals, further solidifying the Center's impact. It has been extremely rewarding to help create a space with others can Explore, Connect, and Interact.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

I use my background as both a K-12 and higher education instructor to connect research to issues of practice and experience in classrooms, with a focus on equitable application of quantitative methods as a tool for improved teaching and dismantling barriers to success for historically marginalized groups. I work as a bridge to facilitate the necessary dialogue between teaching, design, and research. I embrace my own point of view that education should be more dynamic and inclusive, and work to engage clients and community members who share those values to amplify their impact. My primary role is to increase the impact of research on the design industry to increase our ability to progress toward deeper understandings of the benefits and tradeoffs in various design decisions.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

I am proud of how I have been able to extend my teaching practice into the realm of research. That includes conducting studies that have been published in a variety of international, peer-reviewed journals. They are also studies that have received media attention from major outlets, like Inside Higher Education. Most importantly, my approach to that work has always emphasized collaboration in teams that include students, teachers, and international collaborators. Examples include my first peer reviewed publication that included a student co-author, another two papers I co-authored with a team of researchers in Rwanda, and my favorite paper I have written co-authored with 3 colleagues from my former high school science department. I pride myself in connecting the rigor of both teaching and research practice in my current role leading design research. I strive to work as an advocate for those practitioner experiences, and I am proud of our project successes as a result of my position as an educator and researcher.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

I get to use my experience as an educator and education administrator to help our team transform learning environments in schools so that they meet the unique needs of all learners. I get to be the voice of the educator in every conversation from the start of the sales cycle all the way through post-install training and I know that I am helping districts protect their investment of resources by making sure that every design choices is made with the end user, our students, in mind. I also train educators to use their new learning environments so that they feel confident and so that spaces are utilized in the way they were intended!

I'm proud of the growth that I saw with my own students in Denver Public Schools. My low income students achieved on average 85%+ mastery of the content standards, which far outpaced both state and district averages. I'm proud that our studio has grown in sales and the number of students impacted every year I have been with Meteor. I'm proud that I get to be a good steward of the resources that districts are investing in their learning environments. For me it is NEVER about just getting products into a space but about finding the right fit for the educational model and students are that are being served.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

I am passionate about supporting the teams I manage at MiEN and helping them continue to improve so we can best service the education industry, the students, the teachers. I am passionate about all of the improvements we have made operationally to help support our dealer partners and our end users. I am passionate about our best in industry lead times that we maintain throughout the year that help dealers and schools install all of their projects in their desired windows...resulting in better outcomes for the students and teachers so their learning does not have to be disrupted outside of the "normal" install windows. I am passionate about leading and managing our Product Development team and the new and innovative products we are bringing to learners and educators and to our dealer partners.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

Specifically at MiEN I'm proud of making it through the early growth years that were very challenging at time. I am very proud of our team and how much they have improved over the years. Young professionals that reported to me are now becoming leaders in our company. I believe a great leader creates additional leaders and I believe I've done that (and will continue to do that). I want to continue to improve as an individual and as a company / team and that we've built continuous improvement into the DNA of MiEN. I'm proud that my thirst for improvement will never go away.

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Describe how you are making a difference in the education industry.

Working in education for the last decade, I have transitioned from teaching in the classroom to developing products for the classroom to now designing the classroom itself! I love that I currently am part of a teacher-driven company which has educators in every area of the business — from executive leadership to our retail stores. That gives me the privilege of working with so many people who have similar experiences that I do and are passionate about education and committed to students’ success. My team regularly interacts with education leaders and stakeholders who also share our passion and dedication. Working together, we create spaces that combine real-life perspectives, evidence-based learning practices and the latest in educational research to create optimal environments that positively impact students’ learning.

What are you most proud of so far in your professional career?

I’m proud to come from a family of educators and continue that legacy. Since my mom was a middle school teacher, I spent many weekends and summers in a classroom helping her set up lessons, rearrange desks and grade endless papers. Although my mom led a classroom for students with behavioral challenges, she never dismissed students as rough or disruptive. Instead, she encouraged me to embrace the fundamental truth that all students deserve a high-quality education. My mom’s students loved coming to her class. Seeing that made me realize what a significant impact a teacher can have on a student’s life. Thankfully, I was able to start my career in a special education classroom, too, working with elementary students in both a self-contained classroom and a general education setting. Following my mom’s example, I worked to ensure that any environment I worked in was designed to help every student reach their social and academic goals. I can only hope I had half as much impact on my students as my mom had on hers.

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