The New York Academy of Medicine: Introducing our Beautiful Building
Arlene Shaner, Historical Collections Librarian, NYAM

This short presentation will highlight some of the architectural features of the New York Academy of Medicine’s 1926 building. A collaboration between the architectural firm York and Sawyer and the design firm Barnet Phillips, the public spaces are full of decorative elements connected to the history of medicine and health.

Crossroads: Real Estate During a Time of Divergence
Nicole La Russo, U.S. Head of Field Research & Data Intelligence, CBRE
Eric Thomas, Senior Vice President, Office, CBRE
Patrick E. Duke, Americas Healthcare Solutions Lead, Turner & Townsend

Three senior professionals from a global leader in commercial real estate services and investments will present a multi-dimensional perspective on current business trends. Drawing from the firm’s deep market knowledge and superior data, Nicole will start with a macroeconomic overview and Eric and Patrick will follow by diving into specific sectors.

Memos, Memos and More Memos!
A&D Libraries – An Inside Look
Ellen Shultz, Materials Resource Specialist, Perkins & Will and Avroko (Consultant through SpecSimple)
Eileen Ley, Director, Resource Lab, TPG Architecture
Kelly Iacobellis, Vendor Resource Specialist, Design Republic

Three expert resource specialists, from diverse practices, will let you in on the latest important trends related to the specification process…physical and digital samples…sample returns…sales reps…presentations/tradeshows…sustainability…and more!

Design and AI: Hype or Hope
John Maeda, Vice President of Design and AI, Microsoft

Since the invention of electricity, railroads, telephones, automobiles, or more recently the personal computer, over-optimistic hype -along with a small dash of hope – has always accompanied new advancements in technology. Should we be hopeful, fearful, or “nah, this trend will be gone next year” about all the foundation model Al hype?

FUTUREWAVE24
Royce Epstein, Senior Director, Design, Mohawk Group

Have you ever wanted to glimpse into the future of our design industry and see how cultural shifts affect us? FUTUREWAVE24 looks at Five Ideas Driving Design today and into the future—as seen through the unique and insightful lens of Mohawk Group’s Senior Director, Design. Royce will explore Caring, Rewilding, Biofacturing, Hacking, and Generating as both mindsets and actions to help us visualize and craft the future that we all want.

Upcycling and Recycling – Actions for Today, Possibilities for Tomorrow
Scott Kuhlman, CEO, ReCircled

Scott is passionate about finding circular solutions to reduce textile waste. His company ReCircled is all about thinking outside the box. By sharing project case studies, his environmental financial calculator, and how he connects with diverse partners, Scott will inspire you to explore new ways to recycle and repurpose your surplus textiles.

Keynote Address
Every Conversation Counts: How to Build Extraordinary Relationships
Riaz Meghji, Human Connection Expert

Long before the era of “quiet quitting,” loneliness was a social pandemic in our society. In an age of polarization, disconnection, and shallow substitutes for real relationships, every leader needs to know how to build and maintain meaningful relationships with clients and teams alike in our hybrid reality.

With years of experience interviewing established leaders in business, entertainment, and innovation, Riaz will inspire you to:
• Spark real, authentic conversations to make meaningful connections, personally and professionally.
• Earn trust and build inclusive cultures, as you listen without distraction and make your small talk bigger.
• De-escalate conflict and collaborate effectively by leading with assertive empathy.
• Craft and tell compelling stories that will motivate your audience to take action.
• Explore the questions that create breakthrough moments in any conversation.

A candid and far-ranging look at how creative conversations can help you reinvent yourself, re-energize your brand, and further develop your business.

Arlene Shaner, Historical Collections Librarian, NYAM

Arlene is the Historical Collections Librarian in the Drs. Barry and Bobbi Coller Rare Book Room of the New York Academy of Medicine Library, where she has been on the staff since January 2001. Her previous positions include archivist at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and reference librarian at St. Louis Community College–Forest Park. To promote usage of the NYAM Library’s collections, Arlene collaborates with individual researchers and hosts groups that are interested in exploring the connections between the humanities and the history of medicine and health. She holds a master’s degree in history from the University of Rochester and an MLS from Indiana University–Bloomington.

Nicole La Russo, U.S. Head of Field Research & Data Intelligence, CBRE

Nicole manages nearly 170 research professionals in 68 offices nationwide. She directs all aspects of research at the local market level including broker support, market intelligence and thought leadership, and she oversees the national research team’s data management and multi-market research assignments. As a member of the global research leadership team, Nicole develops strategy and supervises execution of the company’s highest-level data and research priorities. Before joining CBRE, she spent 10 years at the Alliance for Downtown New York helping to lead the revitalization of the Downtown New York business district following the events of September 11, 2001—engaging with investors, business interests and government partners to make it a full-service live-work-play neighborhood.

nicole.larusso@cbre.com

Eric Thomas, Senior Vice President, Office, CBRE

Eric has over 20 years experience as a trusted real estate advisor specializing in overall real estate strategy development, location and site selection services, lease negotiations, restructuring expertise, business case creation, rationalization to senior-level management, and technological solutions to manage and track commercial real estate commitments. His client list includes Citibank, JP Morgan Chase, Oracle, Palo Alto Networks, Penguin Random House, Robert AM Stern Architects, Spotify, Twitter, and Under Armour. Eric holds an MBA from Columbia University and is a licensed Real Estate Broker in New York. He serves as a MetaProp NYC Real Estate Mentor, is on the Urban Land Institute Steering Committee, and is an active Business Council Member of the National Hemophilia Foundation.

eric.thomas@cbre.com

Patrick E. Duke, Americas Healthcare Solutions Lead, Turner & Townsend

Patrick has worked with healthcare professionals on four continents and served as a key spokesperson on topics ranging from gender equity in the design and construction industry to collaborative project delivery models. In 2023 he was inducted into the Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Industry Council, where he focuses on diversity and inclusion. He holds a civil engineering degree from Auburn University and a MS in Land Development from Texas A&M. Patrick serves as a Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) and is a Board Member at the World Pediatric Project and the Young Caribbean Professional Network. He recently organized Richmond Rising Aesthetics, a community nonprofit that will begin operations in 2024.

patrick.duke@turntown.com

Ellen Shultz, Materials Resource Specialist, Perkins & Will and Avroko (Consultant through SpecSimple)

A consummate contract textile industry professional, Ellen has touched upon every aspect of commercial fabrics, from sales and marketing strategy to design and specifying. She has over 35 years of experience at A&D firms (Avroko, Perkins & Will, SOM), textile distributors (Guilford of Maine, Pollack), and textile manufacturers (American Silk Mills, Baumann Dekor, Création Baumann, Rohleder). Currently working as a consultant for SpecSimple, Ellen curates materials libraries, manages vendors, researches materials and mentors assistants at two leading New York City design firms that each focus on different market segments: workplace/healthcare and hospitality. She holds a BFA in Textile Design from the Rhode Island School of Design.

ellenblair22@gmail.com

Eileen Ley, Director, Resource Lab, TPG Architecture

As a LEED BD+C, and WELL AP with over 24 years of resource specialist experience, Eileen strives for more informed and sustainable choices for the built environment. In her current role at NYC-based TPG Architecture, she supports the design studios with product and materials solutions and educational programs while increasing productivity by optimizing in-house resources. Her MFA in Intermedia from the University of Maryland Baltimore County contributes to Eileen’s unique perspective and broad curiosity for product and materials applications ranging from DIY to luxe interiors. For nearly two decades she has led Team TPG in IIDA NY’s annual Sustainable Quilt Auction, crafting unique quilts from discarded textile samples.

Kelly Iacobellis, Vendor Resource Specialist, Design Republic

Kelly began her well-rounded industry design career as an interior designer at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in their Washington DC and New York offices. She expanded her exposure to commercial workplace design by moving to the former furniture dealership The Atlantic Group as a project manager. Next, she transitioned to the manufacturer side as an account manager for Haworth and then Bernhardt. Now as Design Republic’s primary contact for manufacturer representatives, Kelly provides FF&E support, sources new materials, provides first-to-market product evaluations, conducts technical specification research, and organizes vendor updates and presentations. She holds a BFA in Interior Design from Syracuse University.

k.iacobellis@designrepublic.us.com

John Maeda, Vice President of Design and AI, Microsoft

American technologist. Product experience leader across consumer and enterprise. Early catalyst for generative art and computational design for commercial applications across Web2 and Web3. First recipient of White House’s National Design Award for algorithmically-generated visualizations informed by data + AI. Noted book author, online influencer, and investor in diverse startups.

Currently serving as vp of design and artificial intelligence at Microsoft. Formerly chief technology officer of Everbridge, Sonos board of directors, Wieden+Kennedy board of directors, Kleiner Perkins partner, MIT Media Lab data visualization lead, Automattic head of design + inclusion, Publicis Sapient executive vice president and chief experience officer, and 16th president/ceo of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

Author of five books including a gentle intro to AI/ML “How To Speak Machine” and the tech bestseller of 2006 “Laws of Simplicity.” Writings, interviews, or talks include WSJ, NYT, TED, BBC, WEF, COP, CNN, The Economist, Forbes, USA Today, Fortune, Fast Company, Esquire. Honors include three honorary doctorate degrees, TIME Best Twitter 140, White House National Design Award, Fast Company Masters of Innovation, LinkedIn Top 10 US Influencer, Esquire 75 Most Influential of the 21st Century, and Tribeca Film Festival Disruptor Award for launching the STEM to STEAM movement in the US.

“Maeda is to design what Warren Buffett is to finance.” —Wired Magazine

Royce Epstein, Senior Director, Design, Mohawk Group

A 30-year veteran in the world of commercial interior design, Royce has extensive experience practicing in design firms and working in product development for carpet and textiles. With a BA in art history, she has a unique purview in the design industry, always putting design in context, trying to find significance in cultural shifts and how they shape the language of design. Her specific interests are social justice, sustainability, materials and using strategic design thinking for positive impacts. Royce has taught at Moore College of Art and Drexel University. Currently, she serves as a Fellow for Jefferson University’s Fashion and Textiles Futures Center, co-chairs ASID’s Industry Partnership Council, and sits on the Interior Architecture advisory board for Boston Architectural College.

Royce_Epstein@mohawkind.com

Scott Kuhlman, CEO, ReCircled

Scott has served as Chief Executive Officer of ReCircled since co-founding the company in 2019. He has spent the last several years building a model that brings together upcycling and recycling services to develop and implement a truly 100 percent circular solution for the footwear, textile, apparel, accessory, hospitality, and outdoor industries. In his 35-year career in the retail apparel industry, Scott has gained extensive experience with small and large chain distributors in various roles including sales, purchasing, production and management. Scott has founded several successful specialty retail brands, including Kuhlman and Scott James, as well as retail-focused technology and e‐commerce enterprises.

scott@recircled.com

Riaz Meghji, Human Connection Expert

Riaz is the bestselling author of Every Conversation Counts: The 5 Habits of Human Connection That Build Extraordinary Relationships. After one conversation inspired him to take a dramatically different career path, changing his life for the better, Riaz became dedicated to exploring ways that authentic human connection can impact lives and organizations. A natural storyteller, he shows audiences how to create engaged and connected cultures through the power of candid conversation.

An accomplished broadcaster with 17 years television experience, Riaz has interviewed experts on current affairs, sports, entertainment, politics, and business. He has hosted for Citytv’s Breakfast Television, MTV Canada, CTV News, TEDxVancouver, and the Toronto International Film Festival. His insights have been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and Financial Post. Riaz holds a degree in business from Simon Fraser University and studied leadership communication at both Harvard’s Extension School and the Canadian Management Centre. His philanthropies include Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Covenant House.

A respected thought leader on human connection, Meghji is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and moderator with a proven ability to conduct engaging, in-depth conversations across various disciplines.

Riazmeghji.com

Arc-Com
Jesse Davis
Amanda Eaton
Ki-Yeoun Kim
Marc Layne
Isabella Pichigian
Marisa Pichigian
Sherman Pollack
Jane Riback
Francesca Robledo

Bernhardt Textiles
Megan Devine
Susan Green
Kathrin Hagge

Brentano
Allen Chen

Burch
Jenni Chilver
Frank Governal

Camira Group
Amy Baldwin
Kathleen Carter

Carnegie
Mary Holt
Landon Smith

C.F. Stinson
Lauren Kidwell
Shannon Picklesimer
Lori Roop

Charles Samelson
Phil Landau
Maria Rodriguez

Chilewich
Sarah Corcoran

Designtex
Colleen Billing
Carol Derby
Nate Dubuque
Deidre Hoguet
Andrea Langlais
Susan Lyons
Claire Mann
Patrick McNulty
Adity Phadnis
Teesha Prezeau
Oriana Reich
Elizabeth Sanzari
Eve Singer
Catherine Stowell
Haylie Werhanowicz

Fabricut Contract
Valerie Hamroff
Julia Rodriguez Dalton

HBF Textiles
Dusty Thompson
Mary Jo Miller
Heather Murphy

KB Contract
Brooke Kahn
Carlota Tulloch

KnollTextiles
Elizabeth Gibbons
Emma Graham
Christina Russo

Kravet Contract
Megan Ayers
Marcia Gravesande
Karen Keating
Suzette O’Garro

Kvadrat
Karen Compasso
Shawn Cook
Allie Glyman
Lauren Korb
Philine Kriependorf
Hans Henrik May
Jessica Osegueda
Kelly Queen

LDI Solutions
Josh Dame
Cecilia Staniec

Lebatex
Melissa Katz
Dawn Ludwig

Luum Textiles
Jane Ardielli
Andrea Babb
Daniela Tonini
Dave White

Maharam
Sarah Baker
Betsy Phillips

Mayer Fabrics
Rob Mayer

Mitchell Group
Viktor Marinov
Catherine Schneider

Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering
Linsay Bittinger
Leo Bushell
Eduardo Elizondo
Ellie Moser
Sina Pearson
Stephanie Shrader
Martha Keshishian
Kim Moran

P/Kaufmann Contract
Curtis Breedlove
Mark Denecour
Leigh Douglass
Amanda Gallo
Cindy Krewson

Paul Brayton Designs
Joel Riley

Pollack
Rachel Doriss
Jenia Myagkov

Posh Textiles
Sarika Shah

Richloom Fabrics Group
Lisa Craft
Lauren Pelusio
Robyne Peterson

Standard Textile
Jax Painter Hamm
Todd Steele

Unika Vaev
Courtney Brooks
Jessica Lawton
Wick Wolfe

Valley Forge Fabrics
Amanda August
Diana Dobin

Weitzner
Janice Lynch

Wolf-Gordon
Nicole Layne
Michael Loughlin
Marybeth Shaw
Shashi Sirsi

Davis Furniture
Ashley Williams

Haworth
Liz Johnson
Andrea Nelson
Kris Pierce

HNI
Hannah McGrath
Kurt Sanger
Marcus Simpao
Janely Tirado
Kandice Tjebkes

Irwin
Chad Adams
Kaitlynn DeVowe
Chris Dunn
Missy Elenbaas
Anne Chapman

MillerKnoll
Laura Leon

Novawall Systems
Denise Andrews
Bill Rankin

Steelcase
Ann Roubal

Applied Textiles
Andrea Hagenow
Hannah Schroeter
John Schroeter

Aquafil O’Mara
Tom Leonard

Burlington Contract Fabrics
Abe Howell
Keith Ogden
Chase Taylor

Crypton
Grainne Coogan
Jack Eger
Lisa Hennigar
Lance Keziah
Rebecca Lee
Kevin Nichols
Nikki Rubalcaba
Kristen Tynan

Culp Contract
David Wells

David Rothschild Co.
Walter Rothschild

Dominion Sample
Jacob Edwards
Andrew Nazari

Duvaltex
Brent Early
Billy Ford
Allison Lapierre
Lisa Olson-Wong
Joel Sergerie
Irene Miller

Enduratex
Bob Ericksen
Jim McKeon
Jeff Post
Kelsey Post

Foresight Management
Amy Robertson
Wendy Schlett

Gabriel
Tobin Anderson
Anna Marie Christensen

Geo. Sheard Fabrics
Perihan Sheard

Glen Raven
Allen Hawks
Susan Goldstein
Tracy Greene
Sara Zatkow

Heritage Textiles
Ryan Carpenter
Stacy TeBogt

Hopetex
Sarah Wolfe

JB Martin
Michael Benjamin

KM Fabrics
Dawn Pechin
Paul Tantillo

Lady Fabrics
Ivy Berman
Jeffrey Irwin

Leslie Jee Textiles
Leslie Jee
Mindy Marcus

Material Bank
Sara Barg
Valerie Hoffman
Kathryn Kerns
Mark Oliver
Taylor Sticklin

Mercato Place
Alison Goldman

Milliken
Benji Bagwell
Peter Dow
Karen Sawdy
René Vaughn

Morbern
Lisa Hernandez
Roman Laufer
Justyna Pikul
Amanda Wilkins 

MTL
JoMarie Battle
Nina De Vassal
Brian Kunetz
Joy McGruther
Erin McHugh
Cigdem Ozturk
Taya Thonguoo

My Resource Library
Laura Carlson

Nassimi
Joseph Filippi
Andreea Flores
Isabella Lomauro
Debbye Lustig
Edward Nassimi
Iwan Nassimi
Ashlynn Nieland
Elizabeth Schoonfield
Lillian Slate

Omnova
Olivia White

Pointe International
Hoe Jung
Ed Marquez
Moira Murray
Naoko Tanabe

Rohleder
Matthew Mackenzie
Leni Rohleder

Sattler/Outdura
Ari Gasner

SGS North America
Simon Mo

Spradling International
Deborah Lanzner

Suzanne Tick
Carol Lindsey
Melanie Rovan

Swavelle Group
Josh Gladtke
Stefanie Seitinger

Thoroughbred Fulfillment
Ray Sayers

Trevira
Celeste Ramsey

TSG Finishing
Michael Goldman
Brian Rosenstein

Ultrafabrics
Isabella D’Aguanno
Janet Kuntz
Jillian Love
Roslyn Muney
Danielle O’Kane
Sergio Prosperino

Valdese Weavers Contract
Gregory Battreall
Dave Freund
Rosemary Harley
Peter Kuklinski
Jacquelyn London
Ji-hong Park
Crystal Sigmon
Bill Snyder

Vartest Laboratories
Trevor Trapp
Adam Varley

Vescom Textiles
Luciana Iwamoto
Jason Romero
Christine Wekilsky

VIP Samples
Joy Davis
Adam Montgomery

York Wallcoverings
Luise Stromberg

Annette Schaich Consulting
Annette Schaich

Collection 280
Amy Pisansky

D Kelly Picard
Kelly Picard

Dawn Hettrich Design
Dawn Hettrich

Dorothy Cosonas Consulting
Dorothy Cosonas

Duncan Whitehead
Duncan Whitehead

Elisabeth Karp Consulting
Elisabeth Karp

Ken Wolf Textiles
Kenneth Wolf

Kimberle Frost
Kimberle Frost Textiles

Limn + Loom
Geraldine Blanchot Fortier
Veronique Bouche-Rouet

Margaret Blum
Margaret Blum

MJP Textiles
Michael Paul

North Coast Design Studio
Jay Correia

P. Carlton Associates
Robert Carlton

Studio Z Textiles
Anna Zaharakos

Author
Riaz Meghji

CBRE
Nicole La Russo
Eric Thomas

Design Republic
Kelly Iacobellis

Microsoft
John Maeda

Mohawk Group
Royce Epstein

NYAM
Arlene Shaner

ReCircled
Scott Kuhlman

Spec Simple
Ellen Shultz

TPG Architecture
Eileen Ley

Turner & Townsend
Patrick Duke

ACT
Joe Kilby
Janan Rabiah
Lynne Willis

Gerald Forster Studio
Gerald Forster

JW Writing
Judy Wood

Volunteers
Sarah Nestle
Jennifer Rabiah
Susie Rabiah

C&C Milano
Dagy Huskic

Douglass Fabrics
Sandy Anderson

EDPA USA
Alp Benedrete
Elyse Berkman

JAB USA
Anna Starosielec

Anzea
Arc-Com
Architex
Bernhardt Textiles
Brentano
Burch
C.F. Stinson
Camira Group
Carnegie
Charles Samelson
Chilewich

Concertex
Designtex
Ennis Fabrics
Fabricut Contract
Guilford of Maine
HBF Textiles
KB Contract
KnollTextiles
Kravet Contract
Kvadrat
LDI Interiors

Lebatex
Luum Textiles
Maharam
Mayer Fabrics
Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering
P/Kaufmann Contract
Pallas Textiles
Paul Brayton Designs
Pindler

Pollack
Posh Textiles
Richloom Fabrics Group
Standard Textile
Thibaut
Unika Vaev
United Fabrics
Valley Forge Fabrics
Weitzner
Wolf-Gordon

Dauphin
Davis Furniture
Form Furniture
Global Furniture Group
Gus* Design Group

Haworth
HNI
Irwin
Keilhauer
Lutron Electronics

Medline Industries
MillerKnoll
Novawall Systems
OFS
Room & Board

SitOnIt Seating
Steelcase
Stylex Seating
Teknion

American Flamecoat
Applied Textiles
Aquafil O’Mara
Burlington Contract Fabrics
Crypton
Culp Contract
David Rothschild
Diversified Testing Laboratories
Dominion Sample
Duvaltex
Enduratex
Foresight Management
Gabriel

Geo. Sheard Fabrics
Glen Raven
Heritage Textiles
Hopetex
JB Martin
KM Fabrics
Lady Fabrics
Leslie Jee Textiles
Majilite
Material Bank
Mercato Place
Milliken
Mitchell Group

Morbern
MTL
My Resource Library
Nassimi
Neon Textiles
Omnova
Pointe International
Rohleder
Sattler
SCS Global Services
SGS North America
Sileather
Spradling

Suzanne Tick
Swavelle
Symphony Mills
Thoroughbred Fulfillment
Trevira
TSG Finishing
Ultrafabrics
Unifi
Valdese Weavers Contract
Vartest Laboratories
Vescom
VIP Samples
York Wallcoverings

Melissa Battah
Margaret Blum
Robert Carlton
Jay Correia
Dorothy Cosonas
Geraldine Blanchot Fortier

Kimberle Frost
Dawn Hettrich
Janet Hild
Elisabeth Karp
Aaron Mensik
Michael Paul

Kelly Picard
Amy Pisansky
Louise Russell
Annette Schaich
Ellen Shultz
Eugene van Veldhoven

Elizabeth Whelan
Duncan Whitehead
Kenneth Wolf
MaryPaul Yates
Anna Zaharakos