101 SESSIONS
Session 1: Negotiating To Get the Job
Course Description: The goal of the negotiation is to find a mutually beneficial arrangement that aligns with your career goals and the employer's needs. We will approach the process with professionalism and a collaborative mindset.
Presenter: Monica Jo D. Ward Ph.D. IIDA, Industry
Market Sales Manager - Kimball International
Monica has been in the design industry for over 20 years working in higher education, sales, and business development, but her passion is with her students. She was a Director of Career Services for over 10 years at The Art Institute of Houston and professor of Career Development. In her spare time still does career coaching for interior designers of all levels. She strives to find the strengths and pertinent attributes of her clients so we can find the perfect fit. Her early career experience in higher education helped her hone her skills in learning and leadership styles, which translates to work cultures and leadership growth.
Her day to day dream job is as a Market Sales Manager for Kimball International where she works with interior designer and architects specifying furniture for projects in corporate, healthcare, education and other areas.
Monica has been an active professional member of IIDA, currently serving on the Texas Oklahoma Chapter board as Vice President of Industry. This position is responsible for finding and maintaining sponsorships for IIDA with industry partners. For 13 years, Monica has participated in SHIFT, one of the largest student-focused conferences catered to teaching the importance of networking, educating and fostering the future of the design industry by providing a jump start to student’s design careers. Monica graduated from Texas A&M University from the program of Education and Human Resource Development where she studied organization development, career development, and adult education and learning.
Mojo enjoys hiking, tap dancing, banjo playing, dancing, singing, K-dramas and K-pop, dogs (all of them) traveling all over the planet and anything that is fun…
Session 2: Legislation and the Importance of Licensing
Course Description: This presentation will give an overview of advocacy for Interior Design and legislative updates in Texas and Oklahoma as well as provide highlights of other states' efforts. We will explain what it means to advocate for the Interior Design profession and what steps to take to become a registered Interior Designer. We will discuss tools and resources that are available to continue the conversation of what an Interior Designer does professionally and to relay that information to others.
Presenter: Mackenzie Matray, IIDA, RID
VP of Advocacy Texas ‘24-'26
IIDA Texas Oklahoma Chapter
Mackenzie holds a Bachelor of Interior Design and a minor in Art History from the University of Oklahoma. After graduation, she moved to Oklahoma City, where she began her career with a focus on Native American Interior Design for nearly four years. In 2024, she joined GH2 Architects, expanding her practice across a wide range of market sectors. Mackenzie is also deeply committed to interior design advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of Advocacy for Oklahoma with the Texas/Oklahoma Chapter of IIDA and is the Immediate Past President of the Oklahoma Interior Design Coalition (OIDC). During her time as OIDC President, Mackenzie played a key role in the successful passage of HB1793—the Oklahoma Interior Design Practice Act. Outside of her professional life, Mackenzie is an avid yogi, enjoys training for half-marathons, and loves exploring Oklahoma City’s restaurant scene with friends and her dachshund, Pretzel.
Session 4: Oh, the Places You’ll Go
Course Description:
Presenter: Emma Smith, RID, IIDA, WELL AP
VP of Campus Centers ‘24-’25
IIDA Texas Oklahoma Chapter
Session 3: Student Roundtable
Course Description: Roundtable Description: This discussion will be a round table style and open forum! This conversation will be focused on the industry of Interior Design with a student's point of view. Come ready to discuss everything from best practices, struggles, questions, and brainstorming. You will get to hear and collaborate with students from all over the country.
Presenter: Shannon Oliveria, CHID, RID, IIDA
Medical/Behavior Healthcare Planner & Interior Designer
IIDA Texas Oklahoma Chapter
Shannon is a skilled medical/behavioral health planner and interior designer in CannonDesign’s Houston office and works with clients throughout the country. Throughout her 13-years healthcare experience, her initial expertise in furniture planning fostered a strong understanding of how to maximize operation efficiencies and user experience within various healthcare settings. She carries a project from programming through contract administration, with a special interest in master planning. As a Registered Interior Designer and Certified Healthcare Interior Designer, Shannon’s approach to creating safe, therapeutic environments is cemented in understanding the specific needs of behavioral and mental health facilities and implementing design elements that normalize spaces, promote the importance of choice and foster wellness.
Shannon recently completed a 7-year tenure on the IIDA Texas Oklahoma Chapter Board where she focused on student mentorship and community engagement before transitioning into the President role. Throughout her time in IIDA leadership, and as a behavioral healthcare design expert within CannonDesign, she’s advocated for the interior design profession with a particular focus on student mentorship to bring awareness to healthcare and behavioral health design. Her belief in mentorship is vital to the sustainability and growth of the design industry and she prioritizes opportunities that provide exposure to future interior designers to healthcare design. She has served as a capstone mentor and guest lecturer for interior design students at various higher education institutions in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Ohio and New York, as she has a passion for working with the next generation of designers to grow talent for a community that is purposeful and capable.