HiP Awards > People > HiP Creative Director

Photo: Provided by Omoleye Simmons

Omoleye Simmons’ journey in design leadership is as inspiring as it is transformative. Raised on Saint Helena Island, steeped in the artistic and cultural heritage of West African traditions, Omoleye developed an enduring reverence for craftsmanship, authenticity, and storytelling—qualities that now define her craft and leadership style. From her earliest days, her path was shaped by intention—her name, meaning “one who brings change,” bestowed in a sacred ceremony, has become both a personal compass and a professional mission. She learned from an early age to embrace what made her different, transforming it into a powerful wellspring of creativity — forging her path as a designer developing impactful, award-winning flooring collections across hospitality and commercial segments. Today, as Vice President of Design at Tarkett North America, Omoleye certainly lives up to her name, guiding her team through a framework rooted in four pillars—culture, self, earth, and expression—transforming product development into a deeply human endeavor. Her leadership has catalyzed a new era of creative excellence at Tarkett, resulting in award-winning textile collections and visionary designs that resonate across industries, from education and healthcare to workplace and senior living environments. Omoleye’s influence reaches far beyond aesthetics. She elevates design as a tool for connection, equity, and emotional impact. Whether working with at-risk youth through the Publicolor Summer Design Studio or leading her team in new artistic endeavors, her work reminds us that the spaces we build can—and should—tell a story, that authentic design should forge emotional connections, evoke a sense of belonging, and cultivate joy. With a B.A. in fine art and M.S. in textile design, Omoleye brings intellectual rigor and soulful artistry to everything she touches. Through her vision, voice, and values, Omoleye is not only shaping the future of design—she is changing it for good.