Erik Lucken has spent thirty years in the design industry working from a deceptively simple conviction: research is the engine of great design. As a Strategy Leader at Gensler, he translates rigorous inquiry into actionable solutions—closing the gap between physical environments and the business performance and workplace cultures they're meant to support.

Since joining Gensler in 2006, Erik has focused his work on the "how" and "why" of modern work. One thread has defined much of his research: workforce demographics—a variable that shapes workplace needs profoundly. By decoding what workers at every career stage actually need from the spaces around them, he has developed research-based insights that move workplace design from intuition to intention.

A longtime Gensler thought leader and frequent speaker, Erik doesn't just describe where the workplace is headed. He gives people the strategic clarity to do something about it.

Leah Bauer, ASID, IIDA, IFMA, NCIDQ, is the Global Director of Design and Sustainability at Workday and the Senior Project Director on location in Dublin Ireland. Leah is an architectural design leader who has played an integral role in a wide variety of commercial projects including workplace strategy, corporate, research and lab planning, hospitality and healthcare. Leah excels at connecting great design vision and budget to deliver world-class solutions. In her current role, she is leading the design direction for Workday’s global portfolio, introducing diverse and equitable solutions for her workmates, and spearheading sustainability certifications on all Workday sites. Leah is involved with many organizations, including IFMA (International Facility Management Association), as the Hospitality Council Vice President as well as with ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) as the Northern California Chapter Past President. A champion of life-long learning, Leah shares her knowledge through mentoring, guest lecturing, writing and presenting. She has a unique approach to her designs and delivering successful award-winning projects.

Ann has a rich 30-year career in commercial lighting, specializing in Lighting Design and LED Lighting Fixture Design. As a Chicagoan, Ann's local Lighting Design resume includes notable projects such as The Museum of Contemporary Art, Millenium Park, Harold Washington Library, Bally's Casino, and O'Hare Hilton. Ann also established her own company designing and manufacturing LED Lighting Fixtures resulting in multiple design patents and fixture design awards including Best New Product of the Year. As Design Director, she now leads the Chicago office for HLB Lighting Design, which is the largest lighting design firm in the world.

Rex Miller is a futurist, author, and keynote speaker with more than 4 decades of experience in the architecture, design, construction, and workplace industries. He helps leaders navigate uncertainty when old playbooks no longer apply, turning friction, resistance, and complexity into momentum. Drawing from neuroscience, strengths psychology, and real-world project experience, Rex equips organizations to lead change with clarity, trust, and resilience. He hosts the industry podcast, The Resilience Lab, and is the author of five industry books, earning three industry awards.

Lauren is Mazzetti’s healthcare lighting expert, with more than 18 years of experience and a portfolio filled with notable clients and facilities such as MD Anderson and MSK. With a specialty in healthcare and integrated design, she is committed to delivering lighting design solutions that ensure an environment fully conducive to health, wellness, and healing. Lauren is actively involved in advancing her industry. She sits on the IES Healthcare Committee, is an active member for her local AMFP group and is an affiliate member of the Center for Health Design. She is truly passionate with her work and always looking to the latest research as her guiding principles.

Restless curiosity has led Matthew Crummey into many encounters with the edge of utility. An upbringing rooted in the Midwest, combined with a persistent strain of frugality, has kept him engaged with the practical. Over 25 years of experience, he has delivered multiple award-winning projects across a wide spectrum of scales and typologies. In his current role as Senior Architect at Perkins&Will, he focuses on special projects, technical mentorship, and enhancement of innovative delivery.

Nirmala is a compassionate problem solver focused on large, complex built environments. With a background in both architecture and interior design, she has cultivated a unique perspective and holistic approach to creating spaces that inspire, perform, and elevate experiences. Turning complexity into clarity, she guides teams through an interactive design process that addresses challenges before they arise. Nirmala combines technical expertise with a genuine love for people, making her a strong communicator and mentor. Having worked across three countries, she has honed the ability to build rapport with anyone and adapt to diverse cultural and professional contexts.

Yure integrates innovation with exceptional design quality, specializing in sustainable strategies including resiliency, material health, equity, and regenerative design. She believes collaboration and collective listening form the foundation of successful projects, and she’s passionate about addressing clients’ core needs with creative, high-performing building solutions. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Yure brings a global perspective to her work. She holds a bachelor's from Universidad Simon Bolivar, a certification from Politecnico di Milano, and a master's from University of Texas at Austin. She has contributed significantly to the industry as a Carbon Leadership Forum member and Dallas hub leader.

Susan is an award-winning and accomplished design professional with over 20 years’ focused in commercial interiors. Leading design in primarily health and workplace interior environments, Susan's passion is creating spaces and experiences that are restorative, sustainable and contribute to overall occupant well-being. Her interior environments are motivated by the process of discovery, distilling and defining using evidence-based design and concepts of sensory design. Susan also volunteers her time with organizations such IIDA, LA Business Council and Children’s Institute.

Ruby has more than 20 years of experience as interior designer with a proven track record of successfully developing and implementing interior design requirements which exceed client’s expectations. She is known for her energy, passion, and genuine concern for her projects and clients. As an interior designer, she works in collaboration with the project team in the design and selection of interior finishes along with furniture and fixtures to establish a desired aesthetic while assuring project budget and goals are maintained. Ruby’s experience covers a wide range of building typologies, including public spaces, healthcare, civic and federal.

Heather is an interior designer who has worked on a variety of building types, including science and technology, higher education, government and healthcare facilities. A detail-oriented leader, she enjoys cross-disciplinary collaboration on all aspects of a project from schematic planning and design to documentation and construction administration. Her primary design inspiration is the built environment and its effect on the user through color, material, texture and light.

As a multi-faceted senior interior designer, Ashley has an agility and adeptness for understanding complex programs and project types. Motivated by relationships and discovery, she strives to create highly intuitive and efficient environments that promote her client's business goals and support tailored, unique design outcomes. Her expertise spans both new construction and renovation projects and includes programming, planning, concept development, construction documentation and finish and furniture specification. Ashley takes pride in designing organized, innovative and beautiful spaces that foster ownership, interaction and creativity.

Perrin Graham-Jackson, a Senior Project Designer at West End Interiors and a member of ASID, leads Education and Outreach for the Committee on Adaptive Living. With expertise in Senior Living design, she manages projects from assessment to installation, demonstrating adeptness in team management and construction logistics. Perrin's designs embody a harmonious fusion of problem-solving, innovation, storytelling, and visual artistry, catering to the diverse needs of staff, residents, and families. Her commitment to fostering activated and inclusive communities, grounded in a deep understanding of human connection, shines through in her work and dedication.

Kimberly Morrison Race has dedicated her interior design career to advancing design excellence. A licensed professional for four decades, she has created award‑winning projects for diverse clients. Kimberly is a certified interior designer in Maryland and Pennsylvania and a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer. Her commitment to the profession includes educating future designers. As a master educator, she holds the distinguished title of Professor of Practice at Morgan State University’s School of Architecture and Planning. A strong advocate for certification and licensure, she is active in regional professional organizations and serves on ASID’s National Universal Design Committee.

With over 25 years of experience in architecture and interior design, specializing in new construction and renovation projects. Her ability lies in creating and implementing innovative design solutions tailored for the healthcare and commercial markets.

Throughout her career, Adriana has developed a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the unique challenges and requirements of each space she works on. She is adept at integrating Lean principles and Evidence-Based Design into her projects, ensuring that her designs not only meet but exceed standards for sustainability and quality care. She is also passionate about mentorship, guiding the next generation of designers.

Adriana's dedication to her craft and her ability to adapt and innovate have made her a respected figure in her field, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in design.

Dianne Murata is the founding principal of kimiko designs, a team of furniture planning, specification and technology experts specializing in commercial furniture projects. A graduate of the University of Manitoba, Dianne has led kimiko as an industry innovator and visionary builder of exceptional teams since 1999. Her passions are keeping used office furniture out of the landfill and rescuing pups from the puppy-mill.

Yong In is a designer, strategist, educator, and an IIDA Certified Design Futurist (CDF). She is Clinical Assistant Professor at Purdue University, Creative Director/Design Strategist at INxD Studio, and a regular columnist for OfficeInsight magazine, where she writes about people-first, experience-driven design.

With background spanning interior architecture, workplace strategy, and experience design, her work has received multiple AIA, IIDA, and ASID awards and has been published across leading design publications. As a connector between research and practice, she advocates for a science-based, human-centered design, exploring how built environments influence the brain, emotions, behavior, and wellbeing through sensory design, neuroaesthetics, and neuroarchitecture.

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Tanya Gershon, AIA, is a Director at Marble Fairbanks Architects with over 15 years of experience shaping cultural, civic, and academic projects. She leads clients and teams from early visioning through construction, known for an engagement-driven approach that transforms complex goals into cohesive, buildable environments. Her work spans a wide range of project types, with deep experience in educational settings from K-12 through higher education, emphasizing innovative learning models, healthy material selection, and the integration of architecture, interiors, finishes, and furniture to support wellbeing, community, and long-term institutional growth.

Katie Shima, AIA, CPHC, is a Senior Architect at Marble Fairbanks Architects and a Certified Passive House Consultant with over 15 years of experience designing high-performance workplace, cultural, educational, and civic environments. She brings an artistic sensibility and deep knowledge of materiality and craft, with a focus on wellness, material performance, and spaces that support everyday use.