HiP > 2026 > People > HiP Sustainability Leader

Photo: HGA

Sophie Kjeldgaard has worked across market sectors, with experience spanning design, product and finish research, construction documents, interior detailing, and construction administration. She works closely with project teams, utilizing her skills in research, materials, and furnishings to develop functional, creative solutions grounded in a human-centered approach. With a deep passion for sustainability, Kjeldgaard has led educational sessions focused on healthier and more sustainable material choices, speaking to embodied carbon and material transparency. She has helped shape HGA’s approach to sustainable materials, providing guidance for the interior design practice nationally and spearheading the firm’s reporting for the AIA Materials Pledge, of which the firm is a signatory, helping teams make more informed, sustainable material decisions. Kjeldgaard plays an active role in advancing sustainability within HGA, serving on the Sustainability Steering Committee for Interior Design. In this role, she acts as a liaison to help set strategic initiatives and priorities while working with practice leaders to implement sustainability strategies across sectors. As leader of the Materials Knowledge Community, Kjeldgaard guides firmwide efforts to develop tools and resources that support teams in meeting sustainability goals, including the Materials Selection Guide and Materials Action Plan. Beyond the firm, Kjeldgaard is a founding member of the IIDA Northland Chapter Stewardship Committee, the chapter’s first sustainability-focused group dedicated to advancing education around healthier materials and broader environmental and social impacts. She has presented at industry events including Minnecon and IIDA Stewardship programs, with sessions such as “Prioritizing Healthier Materials Selection: One Firm’s Approach,” and has participated as a panelist for sustainability-focused discussions. She also served as Adjunct Faculty at Kent State University for two years, teaching senior interior design students on sustainability and contemporary issues in interior design.