John Cialone, FASID, is a nationally recognized interior designer and leads a team of more than twenty professionals at Chicago-based Tom Stringer Design Partners (TSDP). As a partner and vice president of the firm, John’s enthusiasm for promoting the interior design profession is contagious. With over twenty-five years of experience, his work has been recognized with many awards and has been widely published in magazines like Traditional Home, Luxe, California Living, Western Art & Architecture, Palm Beach, and Modern Luxury. John credits his business sense and success to the training he received as a young professional through leadership roles in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

John is the Chair-Elect of the ASID National Board of Directors and the Chair of the ASID Foundation. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Ragdale Foundation, a member of the Guild Board for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, and he is active in the Leaders of Design Council. He has served as a public speaker to many organizations and has mentored students across the country. John and TSDP have participated in the 1+ Program, donating the firm’s services and aligning his belief that Design Impacts Life with the firm’s work.

John’s ASID involvement started as a student member and included positions on the ASID National Student Council. He was a member of the ASID National Board of Directors in 1994-1995 and again in 2019-2022. He has held leadership and board positions in two Chapters: ASID Florida South and ASID Illinois. John was named a Medalist of ASID in 2017 and elevated to Fellowship in 2019, an honor bestowed on less than 1% of the ASID membership.

Teresa Humphrey is the Director of Commercial Specifications for Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces. Her career with Wilsonart spans more than 29 years through various roles within the sales organization. Supporting Wilsonart Surfaces destined for applications in commercial spaces across the globe, Humphrey spearheads the North American Commercial Specifications and National Account teams. Through a positive attitude and dedicated work ethic, Humphrey guides a Sales team of individuals who are committed to building and maintaining customer relationships within the Architectural and Design community. As a results-oriented leader who is passionate about accomplishing corporate objectives, her positive outlook and approach allow her to enjoy each experience that comes her way.

Gregory McDonough is a noted thought leader and expert in financial management, organizational efficiency, and strategic financial planning. He has also developed a financial management coaching practice that specializes in interior designers. Similar to his clients’ ability to see the hidden beauty of an interior, Greg sees the hidden opportunity with financial statements and business strategy.

Greg’s differentiator is his experience as both an owner and operator of multiple businesses, giving him the ability to keenly see both sides of any situation. His book, The Turnaround: What Surviving Bankruptcy Taught Me About Achieving Success in Business and in Life, can be found on Amazon and serves as a real-world guide on managing a company though bankruptcy proceedings and creating a plan to rebuild.

Greg received a Master of Science in Finance from George Washington University, Bachelors of Science in Economics and Finance from George Mason University, a Certificate of Non-Profit Management from Georgetown University, and has completed his certification as a Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Analyst (CIRA).

Additionally, Greg is a 7-time Ironman finisher and he and his wife Monique share their triathlon training journey on Triathlon Parents.

Denise Rush is Dean and Faculty of the School of Interior Architecture, Boston Architectural College. Prior to becoming a full-time academic administrator, she was an adjunct professor of Interior Architecture in the Art + Design Department of Columbia College Chicago. She was also an adjunct faculty at Harrington College of Design, the International Academy of Design & Technology, and the Illinois Institute of Art. Denise’s professional practice work includes an academic appointment as the Visiting Interior Designer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; interiors director at Perkins & Will (Chicago); interiors project manager at SmithGroup (Detroit); and head of interior design at TowerPinkster (Grand Rapids). She is currently serving as a Director-at-Large on the ASID National Board of Directors. Denise holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Spertus Institute of Jewish Leadership in Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design from Michigan State University.

A.J. Paron-Wildes has acquired significant experience working in the design/build industry. She has created and led a multi-million dollar award-winning design/build firm, developed national programs for ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), developed and funded design research programs for the University of Minnesota and pioneered various charitable programs. She, and her work, is featured in many television segments on HGTV, PBS and Bob Vila. MS. Paron-Wildes helps clients look to the future when designing their spaces and facilities. She specializes in design implementation and collaboration, environmental initiatives/LEED, WELL certification and change management. A.J. has also been a design consultant for interiors in healthcare and education, specifically dealing with autism. From school settings, therapy environments to her most noted work on the building for the MIND Institute in Sacramento, California; AJ has used her skills as a designer and blended them with her experience of raising a son with autism. Over thirty publications have published projects or articles completed by Ms. Paron-Wildes including Forbes Magazine and Harvard Business Review. She has served as a design judge for several design professional organizations. These efforts have not gone overlooked, A.J. has been honored with accolades from numerous organizations like NKBA, NARI, Chrysalis Awards, Professional Remodeler Magazine, Remodeling Magazine, USGBC, IIDA and ASID. Previously, AJ served the design industry as the National Director for Design Public Group, a technology contract furnishings platform. She is now Executive Vice President, B2B, at SANDOW.

Denise Rush is Dean and Faculty of the School of Interior Architecture, Boston Architectural College. Prior to becoming a full-time academic administrator, she was an adjunct professor of Interior Architecture in the Art + Design Department of Columbia College Chicago. She was also an adjunct faculty at Harrington College of Design, the International Academy of Design & Technology, and the Illinois Institute of Art. Denise’s professional practice work includes an academic appointment as the Visiting Interior Designer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; interiors director at Perkins & Will (Chicago); interiors project manager at SmithGroup (Detroit); and head of interior design at TowerPinkster (Grand Rapids). She is currently serving as a Director-at-Large on the ASID National Board of Directors. Denise holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Spertus Institute of Jewish Leadership in Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design from Michigan State University.

Lisa Henry, FASID, is CEO of Greenway Group, a leading business management consulting and research firm for the architecture and design professions. Lisa has served ASID as National President and as the Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. She writes extensively about the transformative power of design and the role of designers as leaders in business and world change. She studied at Arizona State University, Hampshire College, the Interior Design Institute, and has a BFA in Interior Design. Lisa continues her studies as an Executive Scholar at Kellogg School of Management and at the Center for Creative Leadership.

Kay Sargent joined Lend Lease in 2014 bringing over 30 years of experience in the interiors industry. Prior to joining Lend Lease Kay served as VP of A&D and Workplace Strategies for Teknion and was a Principal for Interior Architects in Washington, D.C. where she headed the office’s business operations, workplace strategies, and managed key clients. Sargent has a BFA in interiors from VCU and studied environmental design at the Parsons School of Design in NY.

Her work has taken her to multiple continents where she has worked with Fortune 500 companies on their global real estate strategies and designed workplaces of the future. Sargent serves on the Advisory Boards of WorkDesign magazine, PaletteApp, and IFI. She has also served on the International Boards of IIDA, ASID, NCQLP, and NCIDQ.  She is an active member of CREW, CoreNET, and IFMA.