Imagine a Place

In this episode of Imagine a Place, Maria VanDeman and Wesley Edmonds reflect on a powerful start to the year, highlighting authentic conversations with women in design, ICFF, the growing importance of human connection in the workplace, and insights from the Power of Choice research. As Design Days in Chicago approaches, they share what to expect from OFS’s “Imagine a Place” showroom experience: an inspiring, human-centered environment designed to spark creativity, conversation, and new ideas. Join OFS in Chicago to experience it for yourself and see how design can bring people and possibilities together. Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In this inspiring episode, interior designer Natasha Brewer, Senior Interior Designer and Associate Principal of Perkins Eastman shares her perspective on leadership, creativity, and the evolving role of connection in the design industry. The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, representation, and creating space for diverse voices, while highlighting how authenticity and vulnerability can strengthen both teams and outcomes. Natasha offers a thoughtful reflection on what it means to lead with intention, step outside of your comfort zone, and support the next generation of designers. Her insights reinforce that design is ultimately about people and the experiences we create for them. A meaningful listen for designers and creative professionals who are passionate about growth, community, and making a lasting impact through their work. Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

This episode features Morgan Maples, a Chicago-based Senior Project Manager, who brings a real and refreshingly honest perspective to the realities of working in the design industry. The conversation explores themes of setting boundaries, managing expectations, and navigating the balance between saying yes and protecting your time. Morgan shares reflections on collaboration, emphasizing how creativity often thrives through shared ideas and team energy rather than working in isolation.   The episode also touches on career growth and perspective, including the value of understanding different paths within the industry and how designers can better communicate with clients. With humor and authenticity throughout, this conversation offers a relatable and refreshing look at the challenges and opportunities that shape a successful and sustainable design career. Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In a profession shaped by increasing speed and complexity, how do we reclaim the creativity at the heart of great design? In this episode of Imagine a Place, Abby Rolla, Vice President and Principal at ASD | SKY, shares her perspective on protecting creative thinking, leading with intention, and building studio cultures that support both performance and wellbeing. From designing without constraint to advocating for healthier boundaries, this conversation explores how leaders can create the conditions for more thoughtful, human-centered design. It offers a clear lens into how the industry can sustain creativity while evolving toward a more purposeful future. Connect with Abby on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In this episode, Christina Jameson, Director of Workplace at OFS, and Lydia Moya, Brand Manager at OFS, reflect on conversations with workplace leaders from organizations like Warner Music Group, PepsiCo, Eli Lilly, Microsoft, UT Health San Antonio, and TDECU at WorkX Dallas 2026. One message came through clearly: The office is no longer required. It must be earned. Together they unpack themes that surfaced throughout the event including why policy cannot replace purpose, how the employee journey begins long before the badge swipe, the growing role of data in understanding how spaces are actually used, and why middle management remains the cultural bridge between leadership vision and team experience. At its core, the conversation highlights a simple truth. The value of the workplace lives in the connections it creates and the shared moments that bring an organization’s culture to life. Check out our insights from the show HERE Sign up for our Power of Choice CEU HERE Connect with Christina on LinkedIn Connect with Lydia on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

From architecture school to leading design at global coworking brand Industrious, Jean Chandler has seen the workplace from every angle. In this episode, we explore how coworking spaces create buzz, why people “vote with their feet,” and what it takes to design offices that feel more human. Connect with Jean on LinkedIn Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In this episode, Maria sits down with Melissa Borman, Interior Design Director at Niles Bolton Associates in Atlanta, to talk about leadership, listening, and designing with intention. Melissa shares how seeing projects through a client’s business lens reshaped her approach to design. Along the way, she discovered that her greatest superpower isn’t just creativity, but listening. Together, they explore the shift from designing for clients to designing with them, and why empathy, curiosity, and asking better questions lead to stronger outcomes. Melissa reflects on stepping into executive leadership, succeeding a long-standing mentor, and learning to move from working “in the weeds” to leading the forest. This conversation is about growth, mentorship, and what modern design leadership truly requires.  If you care about client-centered design, meaningful leadership, and building spaces with purpose, this episode is for you. Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In this episode, Maria sits down with Mike Sewell, Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Gresham Smith, to explore what happens when engineering, interior design, and artificial intelligence intersect. From a life changing moment on a bicycle that reshaped how he thinks about designing for people, to his role as Chief Digital Transformation Officer guiding firm wide digital innovation, Mike shares a powerful perspective on the future of practice. Together, they unpack the tension between automation and creativity, the responsibility that comes with AI, the risks of a race to the bottom, and why authenticity and human connection matter more than ever. This conversation is a thoughtful, energizing look at how we balance technology and humanity and why, at the end of the day, design is still about people. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In this episode, Kala Fagan, a Senior Associate and Design Director at OTJ Architects, joins us for an honest and energizing conversation about what it means to lead in design today. From navigating post recession pressures to pushing back on unrealistic timelines and race to the bottom fees, Kala speaks candidly about advocating for people, protecting teams from burnout, and why designers must reclaim the value of their ideas. We explore leadership as an act of care, the importance of industry wide community over competition, and how designing for humans starts with how we treat our own. This is a must listen for designers, leaders, and anyone passionate about shaping a healthier, more valuable future for the profession. Connect with Kala on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In this episode of Imagine a Place, host Wesley Edmonds shares a few standout moments from her conversation with Hector Kolonas, founder of This Week in Coworking. From coworking spaces in train stations to the role automation and AI are playing in furniture manufacturing, they explore what it really means to create human-centered work experiences, and why flex is so much bigger than a single model. Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

Naoko Oguro, Design Director of IA Interior Architects, reflects on what it means to build a career rooted in purpose, community, and care. From growing up in New York after moving from Tokyo, to finding confidence as an introvert in a relationship-driven profession, Naoko shares why designers are drawn to this work not for prestige, but for impact. This conversation explores leadership through empathy, the power of design community, and how success evolves from seeking approval to lifting others as you grow. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

What happens when enterprise workplace needs meet the flexibility, hospitality, and humanity of coworking? In this episode, host Wesley Edmonds sits down with Caroline Hecht from Preferred Office Network to unpack how flexible workspace can simplify complex real estate portfolios while putting people first. From streamlining multi-market office solutions to elevating operators, rethinking partnerships, and introducing new ways to assess quality in flex spaces, this conversation explores why the future of work is less about square footage and more about experience, time, and connection. Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

What happens when a designer refuses to follow a traditional path? In this episode, Veronica Gilliams, Senior Interior Designer at HOK, shares how her journey through video game design, physical spaces, and creative exploration shaped her perspective on people, place, and possibility. From biophilia to bold career moves, this conversation is about curiosity, creativity, and designing beyond the expected. Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

Sometimes the best conversations happen when two design-minded people realize they share the same passion for creating better places to work. In this episode, Mara Hauser, founder and CEO of 25N Coworking and Founding Principal of Workplace Studio, alongside host Wesley Edmonds, talk about coworking, corporate offices, and why designing for humans, not just density, makes all the difference. Join us at WorkX in Dallas and use code INTHEROOM40 for 40% off when you register! https://www.ssonetwork.com/events-workx Connect with Mara on LinkedIn Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn     Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In this year-end episode of Imagine a Place, Maria brings together her co-hosts and longtime friends, Wesley Edmonds and Christina Jameson, to look back on the lessons, surprises, and standout moments of 2025. The trio reflects on how the workplace is evolving, why choice and neuroinclusivity are becoming essential design drivers, and how communication, optimism, and human connection shaped their conversations this year. From WorkX insights to the power of storytelling, mentorship, and emerging design talent, this episode captures the heart of what they learned, what inspired them, and what they’re hopeful for in 2026. It’s a warm, candid, and energizing conversation about design, leadership, and the future of work, told by three voices who lived it together. Check out Maria's 2025 recap article: https://ofs.com/imagine-a-place/what-i-learned-year-behind-iap-microphone Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In this episode, Wesley talks with Aflac’s Office Design & Planning Supervisor, Lelitha Williams and Meta Workplace Designer, Emily Burchill about what it really means to create employee-centric spaces. Together they unpack how empathy, flexibility, and a little bit of hospitality thinking can turn workplaces into environments where people actually feel seen, supported, and inspired to do their best work. These two women are doing amazing work for big companies and you won't want to miss their insights in this jam-packed episode. Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

Design for Belonging: Good design is good for business What does belonging look like in healthcare — and can design help create it? In this thought-provoking conversation, Maria VanDeman sits down with Jessica Radecki, Healthcare Director at NBBJ, and Lauren Cole, System Director of Design Strategy with Providence Healthcare, to explore how the built environment can foster connection, comfort, and dignity. Together, they unpack the groundbreaking Design for Belonging research — an effort to quantify something often seen as intangible. From redefining how hospitals measure inclusion and empathy, to building a “kit of parts” that empowers every health system to design for all budgets, this episode reveals how data, design, and humanity intersect. Whether you’re in healthcare, design, or simply passionate about people-centered spaces, this conversation will challenge the way you think about belonging — and inspire you to design with courage, compassion, and purpose. Link to article:  How Can Healthcare Support Inclusion Through Design? - HCD Magazine Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

What does “flex work” really mean today? In this conversation, Wesley Edmonds (Director of Workplace at OFS) sits down with top leaders from Switchyards, 25 North Coworking, Everything Coworking, and the Global Workspace Association to explore the future of coworking and flexible office spaces. From the rise of neighborhood work clubs to the pitfalls of landlord partnerships, this episode dives into how the industry can stay truly people-first. In this episode you'll hear from: Kayla Gottschalk, Switchyards Meagan Slavin, 25N Coworking Jamie Russo, Everything Coworking Giovanni Palavicini, Fronteras Commercial Real Estate and Global Workspace Association Connect with Wesley on Linkedin Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

In this episode, host Maria sits down with Charmaigne Haley, an interior designer at SmithGroup whose story beautifully blends culture, creativity, and compassion. From her Filipino roots to her journey into healthcare design, Charmaigne shares how her heritage, family, and personal experiences with neurodiversity have shaped the way she designs for empathy and connection. Together, they explore what it means to create spaces that not only function but also heal—spaces that honor people, culture, and community at every turn. Connect with Charmaigne on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

Join our guest host, Roby Issac from Mannington Commercial, as he sits down to talk with Alexandra Bonner from FCA. A West Philadelphia-born interior designer, Alex's heart and passion for healthcare spaces are rooted in empathy, personal experience, and a lifelong love of design. She shares how her firsthand experiences inform her approach to creating neuro-inclusive healthcare spaces and designing environments that empower. Join the conversation about how color, choice, and human-centered design can transform clinical environments and discover Alex’s advice for emerging designers ready to make an impact. Discover the article: 5 key insights to neuro-inclusive design. Connect with Roby Issac on Linkedin Connect with Alexandra Bonner on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.