The designer and IIDA NY Board Member to lead the local chapter as it celebrates its 20th anniversary
New York, NY—This week, the International Interior Design Association New York Chapter (IIDA NY) announced the appointment of Rebecca Dorris Steiger, CID, IIDA, LEED™ AP BD+C as Chapter President. Steiger’s presidential appointment comes at an exciting time for the IIDA NY Chapter and the entire organization, as both are celebrating 20 years of facilitating networking, education, and innovation amongst talented design professionals.
Steiger is succeeding Steven South, IIDA, LEED™ AP, a senior interior designer and associate at Perkins+Will here in New York. “We look for someone who is a strong leader, someone who can represent the organization well, and who is able to move the organization forward,” says South. “With years of experience on the board, she comes to this role with a great depth of experience and knowledge of IIDA. Rebecca will be a great spokesperson for the Chapter.” As an IIDA member for over 14 years, Steiger’s qualifications and understanding of the organization will help continue the growth of the Chapter’s Membership, programming, and professional development opportunities.
A native New Yorker and graduate of Cornell University, Steiger is a New York State Certified Interior Designer and LEED™ Accredited Professional with more than 20 years experience in corporate interiors and space planning experience. While living in San Francisco, Steiger joined the IIDA in 2001, then went on to serve as Vice President of Membership and Vice President of Communications for the Northern California Chapter. Her work on the Board of Directors helped the Chapter win the honor of IIDA Large Chapter of the Year in 2005. After moving back home to New York that same year, Steiger joined Gensler as an interior designer and immediately got involved with the IIDA New York Chapter where she has served as the Vice President of Communications since 2006. “Being involved in the growth and development of this organization is something that keeps me energized and engaged in the industry,” says Steiger. “I volunteer because I want to give back to the community that has made an impact on my professional development and on elevating the perception and value of the interior design profession as a whole.”
Each year, the newly inaugurated president of the IIDA New York Chapter is tasked with creating a theme – this year, the focus is “mentorship at all levels”. Over the years, the New York Chapter, has been recognized as the IIDA Large Chapter of the Year for its exceptional effort to serve and deliver benefits and professional growth for its Members, both emerging professionals and students. Steiger’s goal is to expand these opportunities even further. “I would like to develop programs for ‘established designers’ with 8-15 years’ experience, to help them continue to grow as professionals, and as leaders within their own firms and community,” says Steiger. “A holistic focus on professional development will help strengthen the value that our Chapter brings to the New York design community, not only in New York City, but also in our Buffalo and Rochester City Centers, and our new RIT Campus Center.”
As the IIDA New York Chapter prepares to enter this exciting anniversary year, Steiger looks forward to empowering all Members to have the creativity, drive, and autonomy to bring the Chapter to the next level.
About IIDA NY
The IIDA New York Chapter (IIDA NY) is a professional networking and educational association of more than 800 Members in ten specialty Forums. IIDA NY provides its Members with the resources to reach expertise, knowledge and contacts. Networking events allow professionals and industry members to connect on more personal terms that encourage trust, collaboration, and innovation. The Chapter is proud to have been recognized as IIDA Large Chapter of the Year in 2011, 2008, 2001 and 2000. For more information, visit: http://www.iidany.org/.
About Rebecca Dorris Steiger
Rebecca Dorris Steiger is a NY State Certified Interior Designer, an NCIDQ Certificate Holder since 2000, and a LEED™ BD+C Accredited Professional with over 20 years of professional experience in a variety of corporate market sectors. She has extensive experience in all phases of the design process with an in-depth knowledge of furnishings and materials. Rebecca has served on the Executive Board of the IIDA New York Chapter since 2006 is currently serving as Chapter President. She is proud to have helped the NY Chapter win IIDA Large Chapter of the Year in both 2008 and 2011. Rebecca previously served on the IIDA Northern California Board of Directors and helped that Chapter win IIDA Large Chapter of the Year in 2005. As a senior interior designer and associate at Gensler, Rebecca has participated in office initiatives including the Financial Services Practice Area Group, NE Region Training & Education Knowledge Network, FF&E Committee, NCIDQ Study Group, gParents, CANstruction, and We Care.