Lee appointed chapter president of IIDA NY

New York, NY The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) has appointed Annie Lee, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C as chapter president. IIDA NY is a professional organization that unites A&D professionals in the New York area, providing them with networking opportunities, educational events, and charitable initiatives. Lee is a principal at architectural and interior design firm ENV (formerly known as Environetics), and brings diverse design experience. She succeeds Amy Mays, IIDA and lead of HDR’s New York Interior Design studio. 

“With many inspiring presidential initiatives underway, the organization is very much looking forward to Annie’s guidance at the helm,” said  Mays. 

Passionate about fostering a strong design community for members, Lee has been a member of IIDA since 2008, and has a track record of dedicating her efforts to a variety of the organization’s initiatives, including Design Exchange NYC (DEX NYC). Starting her career as a fashion buyer, Lee’s inherent creativity and curatorial design eye has translated perfectly to the architecture and interior design realm. After joining the ENV team almost 20 years ago, Annie’s passion for finding the human connection in design is found at the core of her career path.

“Our interior design community is often described as ‘open-minded’, ‘funny’, ‘warm’, ‘creative,’ and ‘resourceful,’” says the new president. “I don’t believe there is any other community as caring and as sharing as IIDA NY, and I am so proud to be part of it,” said Lee.

During her year-long tenure as chapter president, Lee will be focusing her efforts on creating an inspiring program for current and new members of the professional organization. Bringing exceptional energy, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to the design community, Annie’s mission statement for her year-long tenure as chapter president is ‘Stronger Together, Building Beyond.’ Together with the newly-elected IIDA NY board members, Annie will be focusing her efforts on increasing initiatives for members, providing more educational opportunities, business development services, and creative workshop programs. This will include a new member app, which will help members to connect, and increase the efficiency of volunteer coordination. Annie also plans to concentrate on expanding the New York Chapter with the creation of a new member-only event series (HUDDLE) that engages members in smaller and more social settings. There will also be a new committee that welcomes new members with onboarding messages and new member events. 

For educational initiatives, the IIDA NY chapter will be launching a design camp workshop program to engage youth groups (from kindergarten to 12th grade). These interior design-minded workshops will be implemented through renowned educational entities in New York City, such as Cooper Hewitt and the New York Public Library. A college ambassador team will also be drafted, where professional members will be assigned to design colleges that they will connect with throughout the year, by assisting with activities such as career fairs, participating in student events, and speaking with professors and school boards.