On The Move: Promotions And Hires – February 2026
From major promotions to headline-making hires, catch up on the people and moves shaping the design industry in Interior Design‘s January 2026 On The Move.
Industry Power Players On The Move
The Ancillary Project
Formerly known as C SUITE, the firm announces its relaunch as The Ancillary Project, a dedicated resource for workplace and hospitality environments. Cofounders Kedra Cornelske and Perrin Siegel, previously aligned with residential entities like DWR, are shifting focus exclusively to the contract sector. Representing global brands such as Fritz Hansen and Gubi, the firm will open a new showroom in March 2026, offering a curated “toolbox” for commercial designers.
DyeLot Interiors
Brian Turcza has joined hospitality design studio DyeLot Interiors as senior director and senior associate, spearheading the firm’s expansion with a new Chicago presence. Previously an associate principal at GREC Architects, with tenure at AECOM and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, Turcza brings extensive experience in connecting creative vision with business strategy. In his new role, he will guide multidisciplinary teams and strengthen client partnerships throughout the Midwest and nationwide.
Ray Inc.
Following a successful collaboration on the Cadillac Fairview Toronto-Dominion Centre, IN8 Design principals Michel Arcand and Don Parker have joined Ray Inc. The duo brings over 40 years of combined experience in commercial and residential interiors to the Toronto-based firm. In their new roles, they will continue their legacy of “disciplined design” and material integrity, strengthening Ray’s commitment to creating human-centric, purpose-driven environments through a shared vision of clarity and precision.
EskewDumezRipple
Christian Rodriguez has been appointed managing principal of New Orleans–based architecture and urban design firm EskewDumezRipple. A longtime design principal leading the Civic/Cultural studio, Rodriguez will maintain his design leadership while guiding firm culture and operations. Known for integrating landscape and infrastructure into civic anchors like the award-winning Thaden School, he brings a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure the practice’s values are reflected in both its public work and internal stewardship.
BR Design Associates
Coinciding with its 40th anniversary, New York–based firm BR Design Associates announces three key leadership updates. Lauren Wilson is promoted from design director to director of operations, overseeing firm-wide execution and mentoring, while Silvana Ramirez advances from senior project architect to director of production to lead technical delivery. Additionally, Raul Garcia-Moncada joins as director of design. With 20 years of experience, he brings a research-driven, narrative-based approach to the studio.
IIDA
The association has appointed Mark Bryan as its first chief research and strategy officer. Formerly IIDA’s futurist-in-residence and a senior foresight manager at the Future Today Strategy Group, Bryan brings deep expertise in foresight practice and workplace strategy. In this executive role, he spearheads the newly launched IIDA Futures, a dedicated arm focused on delivering global insights, educational offerings—including the Certified Design Futurist course—and strategic research to guide the design industry forward.
Studio Gang
Ana Flor and Rodia Valladares, co-leaders of Studio Gang’s Paris office, have been elevated to partner. Collaborating with founding partner Jeanne Gang for over 15 years, the duo helped lead landmark projects including the Richard Gilder Center and the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris. As Studio Gang’s first Europe-based partners, they will continue to drive the firm’s expansion and design leadership across France and Europe.
Walker Warner
Amadeo Bennetta has been promoted to principal at Walker Warner. A key member of the firm since 2011 with over 20 years of industry experience, Bennetta is recognized for his award-winning work across the Western United States and Hawaii. In his new leadership role, he will help advance the firm’s strategic vision, lead complex residential projects, and mentor the next generation of designers, continuing his focus on timeless design and enduring materials.
The Cooper Union
Michael Young has been appointed dean of The Cooper Union‘s Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, effective April 2026. A faculty member since 2005 and founding partner of Young & Ayata, Young previously served as associate professor and graduate studies coordinator. The Rome Prize recipient and author brings a deep commitment to the institution’s mission, aiming to advance design experimentation and establish the school as a hub for public architectural discourse.
Perkins&Will
Rosa Maria Colina has been appointed managing director of the Perkins&Will Miami studio, succeeding Larry Kline. With over 25 years of experience, including leadership roles at Related Companies and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Colina brings a valuable client-side perspective to the practice. She will collaborate with design director Pat Bosch and operations director Carlos Chiu to drive the studio’s growth and “Living Design” culture, expanding its influence across South Florida and Latin America.
The firm has also expanded its global retail practice with five new principals in Seattle. Led by Matt Billerbeck and including Sophie Bramall, Erich Dohrer, Sarah Holstedt, and James Mellor, the team joins from a shared background at an Amsterdam-based design firm. They will leverage deep expertise in experiential retail and mixed-use development to create dynamic, community-focused destinations, collaborating with the firm’s global network and retail consultancy, Portland Design.
Bertazzoni North America
Italian appliance manufacturer Bertazzoni S.p.A. has appointed Kevin Headley as chief executive officer of its U.S. subsidiary. Headley brings over 24 years of industry experience, previously holding sales leadership positions at Sub-Zero Group, Whirlpool, and Rinnai. In his new role, he will oversee the brand’s development in the United States, focusing on expanding distribution and accelerating growth for the heritage company’s luxury portfolio.
Materio
Materio, a project operating system for interior designers and design-build teams, named Jaime Brown as head of sales & partnerships. In this role, Brown will lead Materio’s inbound sales strategy, customer engagement, and partnerships, reflecting the brand’s continued investment in building a leadership team rooted in the realities of the design and build industry. Brown brings over a decade of experience helping interior design and design-build firms modernize operations and scale with purpose-built systems. Prior to joining Materio, Brown held senior leadership roles at Studio Designer and DesignDocs.
Corgan
Emily Strain has been promoted to workplace interiors sector leader, succeeding Lindsay Wilson, who will now focus exclusively on her role as firm president. With 20 years of experience—18 at Corgan—Strain previously founded the firm’s Workplace Consulting team, developing data-driven methodologies to align physical environments with business goals. In her new position, she will oversee the sector’s strategic direction, leveraging her expertise in organizational strategy and human behavior to elevate employee experiences for clients worldwide.
Perkins Eastman
Global design practice Perkins Eastman has expanded its executive committee with three strategic appointments. Heather Jauregui, director of sustainability, brings 15 years of expertise in high-performance design and research. Sean O’Donnell, K-12 Education practice leader, offers 30 years of experience creating healthy learning environments. Emily Pierson-Brown, senior living practice co-leader, champions the firm’s Inclusion & Belonging efforts. Together, they will help steer the 26-studio firm’s strategic direction and “Human by Design” ethos.
LRS Architects
Janice Sanada has been named president of the Portland, Oregon–based firm LRS Architects, succeeding Trish Nixon, who transitions to focusing on talent development while continuing to lead the Multi-Family Housing Studio. Sanada, previously managing principal with over 30 years of experience—particularly in senior living environments—joined LRS in 2003. As the firm celebrates its 50th anniversary, she will oversee strategic goals and operational alignment, championing design excellence and team growth.
Rowland+Broughton
Aspen and Denver–based firm Rowland+Broughton celebrates a record-breaking 17 promotions across its architecture, interiors, visualization, and operations teams. Reflecting the studio’s momentum and commitment to nurturing talent from within, key advancements include Greg Ingalls and Rahul Mohare, who have been elevated to associate. This wave of promotions underscores the firm’s dedication to design excellence and leadership as it continues to evolve as a nationally recognized practice.
Turf
Robert MacMeccan has been appointed general manager of Chicago-based acoustic solutions leader Turf. Succeeding Rob Perri, MacMeccan brings over 18 years of executive experience from Milliken & Company, where he held global VP roles in R&D, sales, and sustainability. A Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and a WELL AP, he will lead the Armstrong subsidiary’s next phase of growth, focusing on design-led innovation and operational excellence.
Huntsman Architectural Group
Huntsman Architectural Group announces three strategic elevations. Principal Nicole Everett joins the Board of Directors to guide firm stewardship and strategy. Additionally, Iris Chan and Karie Vagedes are promoted to principal. Chan, a San Francisco studio co-manager since 2008, brings technical depth and QA leadership, while Vagedes, instrumental in launching the Chicago office, is recognized for operational excellence. Together, they reinforce the firm’s commitment to employee-ownership and growth across its national practice.
Sunbrella
Performance fabric brand Sunbrella announces a suite of strategic leadership updates to support product innovation and global growth. Andrew Bernard is promoted to VP of product development, unifying R&D and design operations, while Suzie Roberts is appointed VP, global Sunbrella business. Greg Voorhis expands his role to executive director of global design. Additional appointments include Charlie Withers as GM of shade and marine, Tom Notaro as senior GM of furnishings, Martin Blanc as senior director of retail, and Sarah Dooley, who will lead the newly launched designer trade program as senior director of design trade marketing and sales.
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