International Interior Design Association NY celebrates 10th anniversary of DEX NYC June 25th

Manhattan, NY NY The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) hosted the DEX NYC (Design Exchange), now in its 10^th year, on Thursday, June 25^th, at Blu Dot, 715 Lexington Ave. This milestone edition marks a significant evolution in format, moving from its signature roundtable structure into a lounge-style evening that encourages organic, cross-disciplinary exchange across a speaker lineup drawn from Broadway, the art world, publishing, beauty, and the performing arts.

Since its founding, DEX NYC has been guided by a core principle: that the design community is strengthened when its members engage in meaningful dialogue with creative leaders from adjacent fields. This 10^th anniversary edition honors that legacy while introducing a new format intended to deepen the quality of exchange — inviting attendees to move freely through curated conversations rather than structured programming.

This year’s distinguished speakers represented a broad cross-section of creative industries, each bringing a distinct perspective to the conversation:

Brooke Adler: Art director at Gotham, where she shapes the visual language behind Essie and Maybelline campaigns across film, photography, and brand experiences. Her work blends concept development with a sharp eye for what feels culturally relevant — polished without losing its edge.

Mitch Dean: Designer at TPG Architecture, specializing in workplace design. But first, he left school at 19 to join the Broadway national tour of RENT. He later returned to earn his degree summa cum laude from FIT, where he received the Interior Design Departmental Medal. He continues to pursue set design, bringing theatricality and spatial storytelling to every project.

Allison Eden: Brooklyn-based artist and founder of Allison Eden Studios, known for hand-cut glass and mirror mosaic installations that bring depth, movement, and light-reflective brilliance to luxury interiors worldwide. Her custom-cut, zero-repeat patterns have become a fixture in high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces — and a reminder that surface is never just surface.

Michael Goddard: Former actor turned talent agent, Michael Goddard co-founded CGF Talent in 2012 and has since built one of New York’s leading boutique agencies, matching performers with dream roles in theater, TV, and film. He brings a performer’s instinct and a business mind to every conversation about creative careers.

Noah Kennedy: community engagement manager at A Sense of Home, where she leads the organization’s New York City expansion. As the inaugural East, Noah Kennedy has cultivated partnerships with community organizations and developed a roadmap to scale programming across the city.

Kyleigh Leddy: Author, licensed therapist, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree whose New York Times Modern Love essay became a Harper Collins memoir. Her first novel, Worse Than Strangers (Simon & Schuster), is available now. She holds an MSW from Columbia and an MFA from Bennington, and co-founded Boston College’s M.A. in Writing and The Human Condition.

Rachel Pivnick: Deputy director and COO of Dia Art Foundation — the organization behind Dia Beacon — where she oversees visitor experience, facilities, and capital projects across five New York State sites. She is currently stewarding an eight-acre landscape reimagining at Dia Beacon, set to open in 2027.

Elizabeth Yilmaz: A dancer with the Metropolitan Opera for 13 seasons, Elizabeth Yilmaz is a New York-based performer, producer, educator, and arts curator working at the intersection of dance, opera, and immersive performance. She is the co-founder of Art Bath, an immersive performance series.