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IFDA's Educational Foundation Announces 2024 Board

Furniture World News Desk on 2/14/2024


The Educational Foundation of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) announced its 2024 Board of Trustees, selected to oversee and administer more than $30,000 in annual design-related scholarships and grants. 

  • Stephanie Graham of the Philadelphia Chapter Named IFDA-EF Chair for 2024
    Stephanie Sultanov Graham is a past President of the IFDA (International Furnishings and Design Association) Philadelphia Chapter. A graduate of University of Tennessee BA Theatre with a concentration in Costume Design and Harcum College in Interior Design, she has been in the design field professionally for 30 years, ranging from costuming to designing  professional and personal spaces. After 30+ years of interior design, Stephanie has developed a keen understanding of practical materials, fine design, quality craftsmanship, and collaborative project management. She works closely with her clients to gain an understanding of their tastes, interests, and needs so that each project results in a uniquely beautiful space.
  • Diane Williams of the Richmond Chapter Named Vice Chair of IFDA EF Vice Chair for 2024                      
    Serving the Richmond, VA area, Diane Williams specializes in one-of –a-kind painted finishes on flooring, walls, ceilings and all surfaces in between.  She strives to develop unique and personal looks for each room she helps to create.  Diane has been an IFDA member since 2009 and served two terms on the board of her local Richmond Chapter.  She also served as President of the International Decorative Artisans League, a non- profit organization dedicated to the education and continuation of decorative painting.
  • Karen Dzendolet of the New England Chapter Named Chair Past Chair/Advisor for 2024
    Karen believes in intuitive, client-focused design, collaborating with and valuing her clients' lifestyles and goals. After a career in corporate IT, managing products and projects for operating system software, Karen decided on a career change, and received her Master of Arts in Interior Design in 2006 from the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University in Boston, MA.  She started her design business, KDZ Designs in 2009, in Western Massachusetts, focusing primarily on residential design consulting.

    Karen has been a member of the IFDA New England chapter since 2009, serving as a board member, starting in 2010, and as IFDA NE Chapter President from 2014 through 2016.  She  joined the IFDA EF board in 2018 as Director of Scholarships and Grants through 2019, and became Vice Chair in 2020 and Chair in 2021. In 2022, she became Past Chair/Advisor and then became Chair for a second time in 2023. She is happy to serve as Past Chair/Advisor again in 2024.  She resides in Pelham, MA.
  • Earline Feldman, of the Carolinas Chapter Continues as Director of Scholarships & Grants          
    A longtime IFDA member, Earline has served on the EF board on several occasions.  She received her BFA from Maryland Institute of Fine Art.  She is a recipient of the "Georgia Peach Award".  Earline is a well-known tapestry maven who owned and operated two tapestry galleries for several years. She created and manages the Historical Homepage for Tapestries and the IFDA Educational Foundation’s website.  She resides in Canton, GA.

  • Kathleen Penney of the Philadelphia Chapter Continues as Director of Resources
    Kathleen Penney has been a member of IFDA for the past 24 years, joining as a student from Moore College of Art and Design.  Kathleen completed her design education, and subsequently opened her business, Kathleen L. Penney Interiors, Inc. in 2000.  She specializes in not only interior design/decorating work, but also in renovation project management.  She has served on the Philadelphia Chapter Board for over 15 years in various roles, including President for a two-year term.  Kathleen was the first President in Philadelphia to implement the "Take A Seat Charity Auction", and then served on the committee for the following two auction events.  Kathleen has also served on the National Board of Directors for a one-year term, working on Marketing initiatives. This is her second term as Director of Resources for IFDA EF.  She resides in West Chester, PA.
  • Sarah Fletcher of the New York Chapter Continues as Director of Communications
    A longtime IFDA NY Chapter member and member of the IFDA NY Chapter Board, Sarah is principal in Sarah P. Fletcher Communications.  She specializes in the consumer products and design industry with expertise in the non-profit sector as well.  She resides in New York City.

Also returning to the Foundation board in 2024 will be Shirley Ebert as Financial Manager.  Larissa Cook, IFDA International President, is also part of the Foundation board.

 

About the IFDA Education Foundation
IFDA Educational Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501c(3) organization.  It’s nine scholarships support both full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of interior, green/sustainable, product and textile design.  In addition, the grants support professional development opportunities for IFDA members and other design industry professionals as well as needed resources for design schools, and IFDA programs for chapters and members.  Visit  ifdaef.org or follow us on instagram.com/ifdaef/ and facebook.com/ifda.educational.foundation/.