How my ICAA presidency is shaping both my leadership and Studio M’s future, and what it means for my interior designer professional development.
When I stepped into the presidency of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Florida Chapter last fall, I thought I understood what I was signing up for. I’d been with the organization since our chapter’s founding, shadowed my predecessor Kristin Kellogg for a year, and felt prepared to guide what was already a thriving, successful organization.
What I didn’t anticipate was how much the role would evolve—or how much I would learn about my own capacity for growth.
When Everything Changes
About six weeks ago, everything shifted again. Our chapter director of seven years retired, and what started as a straightforward leadership transition became an opportunity for organizational enhancement. We discovered it was the perfect time to modernize our systems to match our growth, and I found myself not just overseeing our programming schedule, but spearheading the evolution of our operational foundation.
It’s been intense. We’re implementing new technology, upgrading policies and procedures, and revamping our annual awards program process—our biggest fundraiser of the year. We hired an attorney who assisted us in setting up documents and procedures for the chapter. We’re essentially elevating our back-of-house operations to match where we are as an organization. Some days it truly feels like running two full-time businesses—because that’s exactly what it is.
Yet here’s what surprised me most: I’m actually enjoying the challenge.
The Unexpected Lessons
This experience has taught me that my perception of what one person can accomplish was far too limited. The capacity I thought I had a year and a half ago feels almost quaint now. When you’re forced to rise to an occasion, you discover capabilities you didn’t know existed.
More importantly, I’ve learned that effective leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about assembling passionate people who share your vision and inspiring them to excel even when circumstances change unexpectedly. Whether it’s navigating a strategic planning process with the ICAA board or ensuring our Studio M clients receive exceptional service during my increased travel schedule, the principle remains the same.
Building Bridges
The most valuable aspect of my ICAA role has been the expansion of my professional network and resources. Working with architects, craftspeople, and designers across Florida—from St. Augustine to Naples, from Jacksonville to Miami—has introduced me to talent and perspectives I might never have encountered otherwise. These relationships don’t just benefit the organization; they directly enhance what I can offer Studio M clients.
When we completed our recent Miami project and scheduled the photoshoot with Native House Photography, I was able to draw on connections and insights gained through my ICAA work. Those images will be ready next month, and I can’t wait to share how our expanding network contributed to the project’s success.
Leading from Anywhere
One of the most valuable discoveries has been learning that exceptional leadership doesn’t require a corner office. Whether I’m in a hotel room in the Bahamas coordinating with our Miami project team, or sitting in an airport terminal in Rhode Island reviewing design specifications for a Jacksonville client, my mind never truly leaves Studio M.
This distributed leadership approach—something I’ve observed in successful senior executives—has taught me that geographic location doesn’t diminish focus or effectiveness. If anything, experiencing new destinations and meeting talented professionals from different markets has become a constant source of design inspiration that directly benefits our clients.
None of this would work without the extraordinary team at Studio M who have seamlessly adapted to this new rhythm. Since March, my travel schedule has been demanding, and they’ve handled everything with the professionalism and creativity that makes me proud to have built this company. They’ve proven that a well-coordinated team can maintain our exacting standards regardless of where I happen to be working from on any given day.
We’re also navigating some bittersweet transitions. We’ll be bidding farewell to Jennifer, our talented Senior Designer, who is embarking on an exciting adventure in Spain. While we’ll miss her tremendously, we’re thrilled for this next chapter in her life and look forward to welcoming a fresh face to our team.
On a happier note, I want to formally acknowledge Amy Redmond, our Senior Project Manager, who returned to Studio M last August. Amy was with us from our founding days, and having her back brings both institutional knowledge and renewed energy to our operations. Her return has been instrumental in maintaining our high standards during this busy period.
Parallel Visions
What strikes me most about this dual role is how the work parallels itself. At ICAA, we’re asking fundamental questions: How do we do what we do better? How do we build systems that support growth while maintaining our core mission? How do we honor timeless principles while embracing necessary evolution?
These are the same questions I ask myself about Studio M every day. The goal isn’t to change everything we do, but to do what we do even better. Whether it’s implementing our first-ever strategic plan accompanied by an exciting new budget at ICAA or refining our project management processes at Studio M, the underlying philosophy remains consistent: build sustainable systems that support excellence.
Looking Forward
My ICAA presidency has taught me that leadership often means navigating uncharted territory with grace and adaptability. When our chapter director retired and presented us with an opportunity for organizational modernization, we embraced the moment to strengthen our foundation and move forward with enhanced systems and processes.
This experience has made me a better business owner and, I believe, a more valuable partner to our clients. The strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and expanded professional network I’m developing through ICAA work directly benefit every Studio M project. It’s been an unexpected form of professional development for any interior designer—one that enhances both leadership capabilities and creative practice.
The Real Reward
At the end of the day, what energizes me most is creating beautiful spaces that reflect our clients’ passions and personalities. That remains my first love and primary focus. But I’ve discovered that challenging myself in new leadership roles doesn’t diminish that passion—it enhances it.
The relationships I’m building, the systems thinking I’m developing, and the expanded network of craftspeople and professionals I’m connecting with all contribute to what Studio M can offer our discerning clients. When you’re working with someone who has chosen to grow and challenge themselves professionally, you benefit from that expanded perspective and capability.
This journey has reinforced my belief that we never stop growing, learning, or discovering new facets of what we’re capable of accomplishing. Whether I’m leading an annual board retreat in Rhode Island or designing a coastal retreat in Florida, the commitment to excellence and authentic collaboration remains constant.
Sometimes the most unexpected challenges lead to the most rewarding growth. This year has been proof that when you combine passionate leadership with talented teams who believe in something bigger than themselves, extraordinary things happen.
