Design for Aging Council

Chair Kerrie Kelly, ASID

Principal / Kerrie Kelly Design Lab

Kerrie Kelly is an accomplished interior designer, author, instructor and multi-media consultant. She currently keeps many projects going simultaneously including residential and commercial interiors, stewarding students and instructors as the Academic Director of the Interior Design Program and Internships at the Art Institute of California –

Sacramento and promoting her current book, Home Décor: A Sunset Design Guide, published by Oxmoor House. 

Prior to starting her own interior design business, Ms. Kelly became the innovative design studio manager and director of merchandising at Del Webb’s Sun City Lincoln Hills active adult community, where she oversaw model home merchandising and interior design upgrades to over 7000 homes. Her experience with Del Webb and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) certification has helped her gain expertise in design for an aging population.

Ms. Kelly is a sought after speaker on interior design and launched her interior design master class series at her California design studio in spring 2010. She also has appeared on several TV news shows in Northern California as a featured designer and has consulted with the DIY Network’s “House Crasher’s” show.

Carol Reitter Elia, ASID

Owner and Principal Designer / C R Design

Ms. Elia has been working in the Philadelphia Area for various design firms for the past eleven years.  Prior to starting her own firm, Ms. Elia held positions as Senior Interior Designer at Ewing Cole Cherry Brott, Philadelphia, Penn.; Mitchell Associates, Wilmington, Del.; and Space Design Incorporated, Philadelphia, Penn.  At C R Design, Ms. Elia is responsible for all aspects of business development, programming, design and documentation.  

A guest speaker and CEU provider at national interior design conferences, Ms. Elia is a former vice president of the Pennsylvania Chapter of ASID and in years prior has served on various other board positions. She is a member of the IDLCPA and is considered one of the founding board members. Ms. Elia has been an adjunct professor in the Interior Design Department at PhiladelphiaUniversity and at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia.

Ingrid Fraley

President / Design Services, Inc.

Ms. Fraley has been active in the design of interior environments for over 25 years.  In 1984, she formed Design Services, Inc., to provide quality in design and value in the specification and procurement of finishes and furnishings.

With offices in metropolitan Washington, D.C., Design Services, Inc. provides turn-key services to clientele involved in new construction, remodeling, and/or the renovation of senior living environments nationwide. As 2009 Chair for the Design for Aging Knowledge Community (DFA) of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Ms. Fraley continues to emphasize the importance of issues surrounding the design of supportive housing for older adults. Ms. Fraley has been a guest speaker at the national conferences for ALFA (Assisted Living Federation of America), AAHSA (American Association of Homes and Services for the Aged), ASHE (American Society for Healthcare Engineers), AIA (American Institute of Architects), ASA (American Society on Aging), ARI (Aging Research Institute) and NEOCON.  In 2004, 2005, and 2006 Ms. Fraley was a juror for the National Association of Home Builders for their “50+ Senior Housing” design competitions.

Jeanette Knudsen, Allied Member ASID

Owner / Design For A Life Span LLC.

Ms. Knudsen’s firm specializes in Design for Aging, Universal Design, accessible and barrier-free design.  She is passionate about providing intelligently designed environments that are accommodating, adaptable, comfortable, practical and high quality for the expected and unexpected stages of the human life span. She may be reached at www.DesignForALifespan.com.

Melinda Sechrist, FASID
President and Creative Director / Sechrist Design Associates

Ms. Sechrist has been widely recognized for her innovative and creative design solutions as well as for her leadership within the profession of interior design. She is a sought after speaker for many ASID national and local seminars and events. One of her many passions is the support of and development of interior design students and their career paths. She also is allied with SAGE Architectural Alliance, a new design firm that is working exclusively with senior living. In her work and volunteer activities, she helps to promote good design as a means for enhancing the quality of life throughout one’s life. She is also looks for ways to develop communities where seniors are not segregated from others but are incorporated within a framework of diverse age groups.