Brian Boggs, Founder, Brian Boggs Chairmakers
As a maker-designer, Brian Boggs has received many honors for his creations, including ISFD’s Innovation & Design Award, the GOOD DESIGN™ Award, and the International A’ Design Award. His furniture adorns the homes of the most discerning connoisseurs, including other professional woodworkers. His award-winning Boggs Spokeshaves, produced by Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, are enjoyed by furniture makers around the world. An author and educator, his writing has appeared in Popular Woodworking, Woodwork, and Fine Woodworking magazines, and his teachings are available via Lessons@BoggsBench.com. Committed to environmental sustainability, he was a founder of the artisan training and sustainable forest management NGO, Greenwood.
Patti Carpenter, Principal, Global Trend Ambassador
With an extensive career in Product Design and Development, Fashion Design and Merchandising, and as an independent Design, Color and Lifestyle Trend Consultant, Forecaster and Merchandiser, Carpenter has contributed to award-winning designs for companies and clients around the world. Her current sectors of focus are Home Décor, Furniture, Lighting, Textiles, Jewelry, Fragrance, Personal Accessories, and Gifts. Passionate about integrating new product development with cultural/artisan preservation and environmental and social responsibility, she maintains a genuine commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. As a trend forecaster, she is known for accurately identifying and analyzing market trends for some of the world’s most recognized brands, across various market sectors and industries.
John Draughn, Finish Design Manager, Williams-Sonoma
With 45 years of experience as a design and home furnishings professional, Draughn currently lends his expertise as a Product Finish Design Manager for all product categories at Williams Sonoma and west elm. Throughout his career he has been instrumental in the establishment of multiple multinational offices and studios for several major companies and manufacturers, and he has assisted in product development to expand retail sourcing opportunities for major retailers around the globe.
Nancy Fire, Chief Inspiration Officer and Founder, Nancy Fire Designs
With her unique approach to design and keen eye for trends, Nancy is recognized as one of the world’s leading lifestyle and design experts. As Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Nancy Fire Designs, she continues her 30-year career defining and capitalizing on consumer trends. As Design Director for HGTV and HGTV HOME®, Nancy developed the HGTV HOME aesthetic across numerous retail lines, including HGTV HOME Design Studio by Bassett, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, and HGTV HOME Outdoor Living at HSN, as well as HGTV HOME fabric and trim with PK Lifestyles. Nancy’s reach expanded beyond HGTV in 2017, when she revamped the Food Network tabletop business at Kohl’s by applying her knowledge of the prints and patterns that would resonate with Kohl’s customers.
Taylor Ghost, RID, IIDA, Director of Interior Design, Stitch Design Shop
After earning her BFA in Interior Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where they stress foundational design practices and techniques, Taylor embarked on her design career. Initially focused on high-end residential projects, through her work with Winston-Salem based architectural firm, STITCH, she has expanded her expertise into the Hospitality, Workplace, Multi-Family, and Senior Living sectors. As leader of the interiors department at STITCH, she brings her broad experience, business acumen, and personal approach to design to her work every day.
Kim Grimsley, President, Kim Grimsley Designs, LLC
Cindy Craig Hall, Furniture Merchandising & Product Development Executive
A leader in the home and furnishings industry for more than three decades, Cindy embodies innovation and excellence. Recognized with two Pinnacle Awards for her forward-thinking approach to furniture design, her passion for mentorship, highlighted by her nomination as a WithIt Mentoring WOW Award Finalist in 2021, underscores her commitment to shaping the industry’s future. With a vibrant spirit and sharp eye for innovation, Cindy brings energy and insight to celebrating outstanding achievements in furniture design, and her unwavering dedication and fresh perspective continue to inspire positive change and drive innovation within the industry.
Sydney Harris, Director of Organizational Development, Furnitureland South
As Director of Organizational Development at Furnitureland South, the world’s largest retail furniture store and a revered family enterprise, Sydney is devoted to driving growth and innovation within the company, specifically in her commitment to enhancing both the client and associate experience. In addition to her pivotal role at Furnitureland South, she is active in the home furnishings industry, serving as the Vice President of Membership at WithIT. Sydney is honored to be a judge for the prestigious Pinnacle Awards. This honor highlights her steadfast dedication to the industry’s advancement as well as her enthusiasm for shaping its future.
Steve Hodges, ISFD, retired
A freelance designer for more than 42 years, Steve designed bedroom, dining room, occasional, and upholstery in all styles and price points for many of the industry’s leading furniture manufacturers. Representative clients include A-America, Coaster, Cresent Fine Furniture, Durham Furniture, Harden, Hickory White, Jamestown Sterling, The Lane Co., Lexington Home Brands, National/Mt. Airy, Nichols & Stone, Pennsylvania House, Riverside Furniture and Sherrill. He has served frequently as a director and officer–and was twice elected president of–the American Society of Furniture Designers (now International Society of Furniture Designers). He served as Pinnacle Awards chair for many years, and his work was recognized with the Pinnacle Award in the Bedroom category in 1999 and 2004, and in the Youth Furniture Category in 2015.
Cindy Hodnett, Executive Editor, Brand Development/Home + Design, for Bridgetower Media
Starting her career with Furniture Today in 2012, Hodnett joined International Market Centers (now AndMore) in 2017, working in marketing and content creation. She returned to the editorial side in 2022, and now works with Furniture Today, Designers Today, and Home Accents Today covering numerous categories and business/market topics in the furniture, design, and home sectors.
Jesse James, Founder & Show Director, Shoppe Object
With a firm belief that the New York home and gift market was long overdue for radical evolution, Jesse launched Shoppe Object in August 2018. As the show would be the market season’s grand finale–in the global epicenter of creative output that is New York–Jesse and his team believed it should offer a pared-down showcase of exactly who discerning retailers need to meet, and what they need to see, know, and buy. Focusing on elevated and synergistic collections of new product, they created SHOPPE OBJECT’S signature experience, an intimate and curated environment with engagement, activation, opportunity and cheer.
Angie Kenny, Program Director, Sustainable Furnishings Council
With a degree in interior design and extensive experience in the field in NYC and Greensboro, NC, where she was part of the design team building Proximity Hotel– the first LEED Platinum hotel in the United States–Angie serves as Program Director for the Sustainable Furnishings Council.
Serena Martin, Founder, 24/7 Creative Agency
Working within the design, trade, and hospitality industries for nearly two decades, Serena is a marketing maven who directed the marketing departments for national home furnishings and decor brands before founding her own firm, 24/7 Creative Agency. In her consulting work, Serena combines her substantial experience, network, and publicity skills to develop licensing opportunities and introduce new and innovative products to the marketplace. Outside of her professional work, she donates her time to countless charities and to the support of various trade organizations including ASID, IDS, ISFD, IFDA and Withit.
Ericka Saurit, Founder, Saurit Creative
As a designer, educator, and brand strategist, Ericka is obsessed with how our built environment shapes the human experience. Over a 25 year global career, she has worked with culture-shifting brands including Airbnb, Tag Heuer, Estee Lauder, and Procter & Gamble. Her boutique brand strategy agency, Saurit Creative, helps home and lifestyle brands transform their position in the marketplace with story-driven marketing campaigns. Plus, creative professionals around the world learn how to grow their business and their careers under her guidance on her interactive learning platform, Marketing School for Creatives.
Scarlette Tapp, Executive Director, Sustainable Furnishings Council
A GREEN Accredited Professional, Scarlette has extensive nonprofit leadership experience, specifically focusing on organizational development, strategic communications, marketing, and fundraising. Before joining SFC, Scarlette worked with nonprofit organizations in nature conservancy, mental health, visual arts, and education.
Erin Weir, Co-founder and VP of Sales & Marketing, The Pearl Collective
At the interior design business consultancy, Pearl Collective, Erin helps designers, architects, and other creatives substantially increase their profits. A dynamic leader, dedicated mom, and marketer extraordinaire, Erin turns every client touchpoint into a memorable and meaningful experience. Her passion for elevating interior design to its appropriate strata in our industry is evidenced by her devotion to educating designers and their teams on innovative, profitable business practices, leadership, technology and productivity. She counsels manufacturers to be better business partners, and she teaches clients to move from business timidity to confidence through actionable processes, smart structure, and a team-first mentality.
Ron Woodson, Principal and Creative Director, Ron Woodson Design
Renowned for his classic and artful, yet timeless interiors, Ron was named to the Top 10 African American Interior Designers by The Black Interior Designers Network, Hollywood’s Top 20 Interior Designers by The Hollywood Reporter, House Beautiful’s Top 20 Designers List, Metropolitan Home’s Top 100, Traditional Home‘s New Trads, Luxe Magazine’s Gold List, and California’s Top 50 Tastemakers and Influencers by Modern Interiors. He has also been named the Interior Designer of the Year by the National Arts Council and the DLN Lifetime Achievement Award. His book, High Style, is on Oprah’s list of top design books. Also, as Co-Founder of Save Iconic Architecture (SIA), Ron champions important architecture, such as works by Richard Neutra, Robert Farquhar, Donald Wexler and Paul R. Williams.