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.

Claudia Barrett is a Designer in HLB Lighting Design’s Chicago studio, where her work bridges architectural rigor with a deeply artistic approach to light. With her experience in lighting design and a foundation in architecture, Claudia brings a hybrid perspective shaped by experience and curiosity. Her design sensibility is informed by early training in stage lighting, a passion for art, and an appreciation for daylight’s role in shaping architecture. Her project work spans hospitality, workplace environments, and large atrium spaces, including complex projects in the U.S. and abroad.

An active member of the Illuminating Engineering Society and Women in Lighting Design–Chicago, Claudia is passionate about creating architectural environments that echo the human experience of natural environments through carefully considered electric light.

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.

As a design principal for the Los Angeles office, Susan leads the vision, strategy, and growth for the Interiors practice supporting LA and the West Region. With over 25 years of experience, her leadership has fueled award-winning projects in Health, Workplace, and Life Science markets. Susan's commitment to excellence ensures the consistent delivery of quality design, innovative solutions, and unparalleled client service. Passionate about sustainable and equitably designed environments, she strives to create spaces that inspire and contribute to overall occupant well-being. Susan's expertise lies in weaving creativity and functionality, elevating HDR's interiors practice to new heights in the pursuit of transformative design.

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.

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.

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.

Kathryn Nicholson Brown is Specification Director at Bureau with over 20 years of experience working alongside architects and designers across commercial interiors. A WELL Accredited Professional, she focuses on neuroinclusive, human centred environments and the relationship between space, focus, and wellbeing. Her work centres on specification strategy and real-world delivery, informed by lived experience of neurodiversity and a long career examining how built environments perform for the people who use them.