Foundation | About and Mission

Welcome to the ASID Foundation, a 501C3 setup through the American Society of Interior Designers for the purpose of inspiring the power of design.

ASID Foundation Mission

Our mission is to elevate the value of design and designers by supporting innovative, informed, sustainable and healthy initiatives that promote thriving and vibrant environments to work, live, learn, play, and heal. The Foundation is dedicated to providing resources and tools necessary to grow the interior design profession through scholarships, research, and education with the support and donations of members like you.

For educators we offer grants to support the development of educational programs, as well as grants for research. There are also prizes for outstanding academic contributions to the field of design, whether it be a book, video, whitepaper, or other format.

For design firms and practitioners we offer opportunities to conduct research around the impact of design. The Foundation also awards prizes for the design of spaces that meet criteria around impact and wellness.

For students we offer a number of graduate and undergraduate scholarships that align with various disciplines of design practice. We also offer prizes recognizing outstanding research and thesis projects.

ASID Foundation Board of Trustees and Bylaws

The Foundation is governed by a set of Bylaws and Policies, and overseen by a group of trustees appointed by the Board of the American Society of Interior Designers.

2024 ASID Foundation Board of Trustees

Carolyn Ames Noble, ASID, WELL AP, WELL Faculty
Carolyn Ames Noble, ASID, WELL AP, WELL Faculty

Chair

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David C. Euscher, ASID, LEED AP, Associate AIA, WELL AP
David C. Euscher, ASID, LEED AP, Associate AIA, WELL AP

Trustee

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Teresa Humphrey, LEED AP ID+C
Teresa Humphrey, LEED AP ID+C

Trustee

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Carolyn Ames Noble, ASID, WELL AP, WELL Faculty

Carolyn Ames Noble, ASID, WELL AP, WELL Faculty, USGBC Member
Principal, Interior & Product Design, Ames Design Collective

Carolyn Ames Noble is the founder of Ames Design Collective, where she specializes in interior design, product and CMF (color, material, finish) design development services. Carolyn consults for product lines in acoustics, architectural solutions, flooring, kitchen and bath, paint and solid surfaces. Carolyn’s work is rooted in research, lifestyle and workplace design. 
Carolyn is the Chair for the American Society of Interior Designers National Board. As a WELL AP and WELL Faculty member, she creates interiors and materials with intention that champion human health, beauty and delight. 

An interior design graduate from the University of Akron, Carolyn began her design journey at HWH Architects Engineers & Planners in Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently joined the Sherwin-Williams Company, where she held several positions of increased responsibility, including hospitality & corporate interior designer, Southeast U.S. designer marketing manager, and North American color marketing & design director for the Sherwin-Williams Consumer Brands Division.

David C. Euscher, ASID, LEED AP, Associate AIA, WELL AP

David Euscher is an award-winning designer, a lecturer at various universities and industry conferences focusing on the intersection of culture, technology and design and serves on the Houston Community College Advisory Board for the Interior Design program. David currently works at Corgan’s Houston office as the Vice President and Interior Design Studio Leader. 

Teresa Humphrey, LEED AP ID+C

Teresa Humphrey, LEED AP ID+C

Teresa Humphrey is the Director of Commercial Specifications for Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces. Her career with Wilsonart spans more than 29 years through various roles within the sales organization. Supporting Wilsonart Surfaces destined for applications in commercial spaces across the globe, Humphrey spearheads the North American Commercial Specifications and National Account teams. Through a positive attitude and dedicated work ethic, Humphrey guides a Sales team of individuals who are committed to building and maintaining customer relationships within the Architectural and Design community. As a results-oriented leader who is passionate about accomplishing corporate objectives, her positive outlook and approach allow her to enjoy each experience that comes her way.

Denise Rush, FASID
Denise Rush, FASID

Trustee

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AJ Paron, Allied ASID, WELL AP, LEED AP ID+C
AJ Paron, Allied ASID, WELL AP, LEED AP ID+C

Trustee

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Denise Rush, FASID

Denise Rush, FASID

Denise Rush is Dean and Faculty of the School of Interior Architecture, Boston Architectural College. Prior to becoming a full-time academic administrator, she was an adjunct professor of Interior Architecture in the Art + Design Department of Columbia College Chicago. She was also an adjunct faculty at Harrington College of Design, the International Academy of Design & Technology, and the Illinois Institute of Art. Denise’s professional practice work includes an academic appointment as the Visiting Interior Designer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; interiors director at Perkins & Will (Chicago); interiors project manager at SmithGroup (Detroit); and head of interior design at TowerPinkster (Grand Rapids). She is currently serving as a Director-at-Large on the ASID National Board of Directors. Denise holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Spertus Institute of Jewish Leadership in Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design from Michigan State University.

AJ Paron, Allied ASID, WELL AP, LEED AP ID+C

AJ Paron, Allied ASID, WELL AP, LEED AP ID+C

A.J. Paron has acquired significant experience working in the design/build industry. She has created and led a multi-million dollar award-winning design/build firm, developed national programs for ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), developed and funded design research programs for the University of Minnesota and pioneered various charitable programs. She, and her work, is featured in many television segments on HGTV, PBS and Bob Vila. MS. Paron-Wildes helps clients look to the future when designing their spaces and facilities. She specializes in design implementation and collaboration, environmental initiatives/LEED, WELL certification and change management. A.J. has also been a design consultant for interiors in healthcare and education, specifically dealing with autism. From school settings, therapy environments to her most noted work on the building for the MIND Institute in Sacramento, California; AJ has used her skills as a designer and blended them with her experience of raising a son with autism. Over thirty publications have published projects or articles completed by Ms. Paron-Wildes including Forbes Magazine and Harvard Business Review. She has served as a design judge for several design professional organizations. These efforts have not gone overlooked, A.J. has been honored with accolades from numerous organizations like NKBA, NARI, Chrysalis Awards, Professional Remodeler Magazine, Remodeling Magazine, USGBC, IIDA and ASID. Previously, AJ served the design industry as the National Director for Design Public Group, a technology contract furnishings platform. She is now Executive Vice President, B2B, at SANDOW.

Past Board of Trustees

2023

John Cialone, FASID
John Cialone, FASID

Chair

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Teresa Humphrey, LEED AP ID+C
Teresa Humphrey, LEED AP ID+C

Trustee

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Denise Rush, FASID
Denise Rush, FASID

Trustee

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John Cialone, FASID

John Cialone, FASID, is a nationally recognized interior designer and leads a team of more than twenty professionals at Chicago-based Tom Stringer Design Partners (TSDP). As a partner and vice president of the firm, John’s enthusiasm for promoting the interior design profession is contagious. With over twenty-five years of experience, his work has been recognized with many awards and has been widely published in magazines like Traditional Home, Luxe, California Living, Western Art & Architecture, Palm Beach, and Modern Luxury. John credits his business sense and success to the training he received as a young professional through leadership roles in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

John is the Chair-Elect of the ASID National Board of Directors and the Chair of the ASID Foundation. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Ragdale Foundation, a member of the Guild Board for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, and he is active in the Leaders of Design Council. He has served as a public speaker to many organizations and has mentored students across the country. John and TSDP have participated in the 1+ Program, donating the firm’s services and aligning his belief that Design Impacts Life with the firm’s work.

John’s ASID involvement started as a student member and included positions on the ASID National Student Council. He was a member of the ASID National Board of Directors in 1994-1995 and again in 2019-2022. He has held leadership and board positions in two Chapters: ASID Florida South and ASID Illinois. John was named a Medalist of ASID in 2017 and elevated to Fellowship in 2019, an honor bestowed on less than 1% of the ASID membership.

Teresa Humphrey, LEED AP ID+C

Teresa Humphrey is the Director of Commercial Specifications for Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces. Her career with Wilsonart spans more than 29 years through various roles within the sales organization. Supporting Wilsonart Surfaces destined for applications in commercial spaces across the globe, Humphrey spearheads the North American Commercial Specifications and National Account teams. Through a positive attitude and dedicated work ethic, Humphrey guides a Sales team of individuals who are committed to building and maintaining customer relationships within the Architectural and Design community. As a results-oriented leader who is passionate about accomplishing corporate objectives, her positive outlook and approach allow her to enjoy each experience that comes her way.

Denise Rush, FASID

Denise Rush is Dean and Faculty of the School of Interior Architecture, Boston Architectural College. Prior to becoming a full-time academic administrator, she was an adjunct professor of Interior Architecture in the Art + Design Department of Columbia College Chicago. She was also an adjunct faculty at Harrington College of Design, the International Academy of Design & Technology, and the Illinois Institute of Art. Denise’s professional practice work includes an academic appointment as the Visiting Interior Designer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; interiors director at Perkins & Will (Chicago); interiors project manager at SmithGroup (Detroit); and head of interior design at TowerPinkster (Grand Rapids). She is currently serving as a Director-at-Large on the ASID National Board of Directors. Denise holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Spertus Institute of Jewish Leadership in Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design from Michigan State University.

AJ Paron-Wildes, Allied ASID, WELL AP, LEED AP ID+C
AJ Paron-Wildes, Allied ASID, WELL AP, LEED AP ID+C

Trustee

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AJ Paron-Wildes, Allied ASID, WELL AP, LEED AP ID+C

A.J. Paron-Wildes has acquired significant experience working in the design/build industry. She has created and led a multi-million dollar award-winning design/build firm, developed national programs for ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), developed and funded design research programs for the University of Minnesota and pioneered various charitable programs. She, and her work, is featured in many television segments on HGTV, PBS and Bob Vila. MS. Paron-Wildes helps clients look to the future when designing their spaces and facilities. She specializes in design implementation and collaboration, environmental initiatives/LEED, WELL certification and change management. A.J. has also been a design consultant for interiors in healthcare and education, specifically dealing with autism. From school settings, therapy environments to her most noted work on the building for the MIND Institute in Sacramento, California; AJ has used her skills as a designer and blended them with her experience of raising a son with autism. Over thirty publications have published projects or articles completed by Ms. Paron-Wildes including Forbes Magazine and Harvard Business Review. She has served as a design judge for several design professional organizations. These efforts have not gone overlooked, A.J. has been honored with accolades from numerous organizations like NKBA, NARI, Chrysalis Awards, Professional Remodeler Magazine, Remodeling Magazine, USGBC, IIDA and ASID. Previously, AJ served the design industry as the National Director for Design Public Group, a technology contract furnishings platform. She is now Executive Vice President, B2B, at SANDOW.

ASID Foundation’s Research Committee

The Research Committee is comprised of leaders from top design firms and educational institutions who have a role in research and education. The committee oversees progress on all active research grant projects. They also evaluate the Foundation’s overall portfolio of research projects against the forward-looking needs of the design industry and design institutions. Annually, the team defines the new criteria for research grant applications.

2023 Research Committee

Denise Rush, FASID
Denise Rush, FASID

Chair

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Lisa Henry, FASID, LEED AP
Lisa Henry, FASID, LEED AP

Member

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Kay Sargent, ASID, LEED AP
Kay Sargent, ASID, LEED AP

Member

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Denise Rush, FASID

Denise Rush is Dean and Faculty of the School of Interior Architecture, Boston Architectural College. Prior to becoming a full-time academic administrator, she was an adjunct professor of Interior Architecture in the Art + Design Department of Columbia College Chicago. She was also an adjunct faculty at Harrington College of Design, the International Academy of Design & Technology, and the Illinois Institute of Art. Denise’s professional practice work includes an academic appointment as the Visiting Interior Designer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; interiors director at Perkins & Will (Chicago); interiors project manager at SmithGroup (Detroit); and head of interior design at TowerPinkster (Grand Rapids). She is currently serving as a Director-at-Large on the ASID National Board of Directors. Denise holds a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Spertus Institute of Jewish Leadership in Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design from Michigan State University.

Lisa Henry, FASID, LEED AP

Lisa Henry, FASID, is CEO of Greenway Group, a leading business management consulting and research firm for the architecture and design professions. Lisa has served ASID as National President and as the Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. She writes extensively about the transformative power of design and the role of designers as leaders in business and world change. She studied at Arizona State University, Hampshire College, the Interior Design Institute, and has a BFA in Interior Design. Lisa continues her studies as an Executive Scholar at Kellogg School of Management and at the Center for Creative Leadership.

Kay Sargent, ASID, LEED AP

Kay Sargent joined Lend Lease in 2014 bringing over 30 years of experience in the interiors industry. Prior to joining Lend Lease Kay served as VP of A&D and Workplace Strategies for Teknion and was a Principal for Interior Architects in Washington, D.C. where she headed the office’s business operations, workplace strategies, and managed key clients. Sargent has a BFA in interiors from VCU and studied environmental design at the Parsons School of Design in NY.

Her work has taken her to multiple continents where she has worked with Fortune 500 companies on their global real estate strategies and designed workplaces of the future. Sargent serves on the Advisory Boards of WorkDesign magazine, PaletteApp, and IFI. She has also served on the International Boards of IIDA, ASID, NCQLP, and NCIDQ.  She is an active member of CREW, CoreNET, and IFMA.

Donors of the ASID Foundation

Since its inception, the Foundation continues to receive funding from all corners of the design industry and from those inspired by the power of design.

The following is a partial list of the charitable foundations, trusts, and corporations who have made major gifts in establishing scholarships, grants, and achievement awards:

  1. The Angelo Donghia Foundation Inc
  2. Polsky Family Supporting Foundation
  3. David Barret Jr Memorial Foundation
  4. Irene Winifred
  5. Dora Brahms Fund
  6. Yale R. Burge Fund
  7. Raymond Kennedy Fund
  8. Ethel Siegelman Fund
  9. Alan Lucas Fund
  10. Rocky La Fleur Fund
  11. Gary Wheeler Fund

The ASID Foundation also extends gratitude to donations made by ASID Members, design firms, industry partners, conference and program attendees, friends and families, ASID chapters across the United States, and others.

  • Donation List for 2023
  • Donation List for 2022
  • Donation List for 2021
  • Donation List for 2020

Contact the ASID Foundation

Through your support of the ASID Foundation, you can make an immeasurable difference in the many lives involved in our profession and the world we live in.

ASID Foundation
1152 15 St., NW
Suite 910
Washington, D.C. 20005

202-675-4443

foundation@asid.org