HiP > 2026 > People > HiP Workplace Leader: Midwest

Photo: Katherin Mraz

As principal and interiors director of design at HOK, Neil Schneider is shaping the future of interior design through a rare combination of visionary leadership, technical innovation, and firmwide influence. With more than 20 years of experience, he has played a pivotal role in advancing HOK’s interiors practice—most notably helping establish and grow the firm’s Chicago studio into a leading design hub. A member of HOK’s global Design Board and a core leader within the firm’s Interiors Leadership Group, Schneider operates at both strategic and operational levels. He leads the firm’s visualization initiatives, explores emerging AI and rendering technologies, and drives cross-disciplinary integration through HOK’s annual Interiors Summit and Emerging Leaders Summit—platforms that foster innovation, mentorship, and knowledge sharing across the organization. Schneider is also at the forefront of digital transformation within the industry. He is actively leading the development of benchmarking and programming tools that embed data-driven decision-making into the design process, including firmwide systems within Revit that elevate consistency, performance and design intelligence at scale. His work integrates research—such as insights from Kay Sargent on topics like neurodiversity and future-casting—directly into design workflows, bridging thought leadership with implementation. As a trusted adviser, Schneider is currently leading a diverse portfolio of projects spanning professional sports, higher education, healthcare, legal, and civic sectors—including the Seattle Seahawks Training Facility, Loyola University, Franciscan Health, Kirkland & Ellis, and the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Beyond project work, he has redefined HOK’s marketing and storytelling approach, strengthening the firm’s voice and visibility in a rapidly evolving industry. Through his leadership in technology, mentorship and design excellence, Schneider is not only influencing HOK’s trajectory—he is helping define what’s next for the interiors profession.