Theresa Whiting

Known for her business acumen and effective communication style, Theresa has a solid track record of supporting managers with evaluating performance, conducting tough conversations, dealing with conflict, and motivating teams through communication efficiencies. The majority of her clients are highly competent professionals ranging from mid-level managers to C-suite executives.

Her understanding of the dynamics and trends in architect, real estate, construction and engineering, financial services, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical make her uniquely qualified as a developer and facilitator of communication programs as well as one-on-one leadership consulting to a number of Fortune 500 clients.

Her career started at IBM, which led to her success in managing customer support and branch operations throughout the Northeast. Later, she joined The Boston Company, a leading nationwide investment firm, where she established and grew an extensive new training department. Theresa designed, managed, and implemented highly successful training programs for over 1,000 employees and revamped the company’s orientation program.

Click here to learn more about Theresa!

Elyse Ayoung, Panelist
Designer // Gensler

Elyse is an Interior Designer based in Boston. Her career has included projects of varying scales at small, medium and large firms – landing her in her most current role as an Associate Designer at Gensler focusing on workplace design. She is passionate not only about the spaces she creates, but the impact her lived experiences and cultured background can and should have on design, the built environment and the future generation. She believes that design should tell a story that moves you; approaching each project as a story untold.

Kristin Hodges, Panelist
Architectural and Contract Sales Executive // Armstrong World Industries

Kristen Hodges is an Architectural & Contract Sales Executive with Armstrong Ceiling Solutions in Southeastern New England.  She has passion for the built environment and the “people” experience in the spaces we create.  In working with the A&D community she draws upon her experiences working in the construction industry as well as working directly for an owner group to provide solutions that not only will work for the moment, but will continue to perform in the longer term.  In her career she is most proud of the interns and colleagues she has mentored and their successes today. In her spare time she enjoys running, playing board games and volunteering at her local animal shelter.

Mikala Siciliano, Panelist
Project Manager // Dyer Brown

Mikala Siciliano is a licensed architect and holds a Master of Architecture from Northeastern University. She has over nine years of industry experience, serving corporate, retail, and high-end residential clients. Mikala previously worked at a design-build construction company, where she gained valuable experience focusing on both the design and construction areas of a project, thus making her a valuable, well-versed Project Manager.

Jillian Tara, Panelist
Senior Interior Designer // Phase Zero Design

Jillian Tara, NCIDQ, LEED AP ID+C is a Senior Interior Designer at Phase Zero Design and has over nine years of industry experience under her belt. She specializes in the corporate, hospitality and healthcare market sectors. Jillian received an Associate of Science degree in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2010, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Architecture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2012. She received her LEED AP ID+C certification in 2017 and her WELL AP certification in 2018. She is also NCIDQ certified.

Kelly Taylor, Panelist
Principal // Kelly Taylor Interior Design

After many years working for architecture firms in New York and Providence, Kelly Taylor founded KTID in 2004, eager to guide clients through the complex process of architectural design.  She has been honored with many awards, including New England Home magazine’s prestigious “5 Under 40” Award, which highlights design talent across the region. Kelly is a co-founder of DesignxRI, a nonprofit design-focused economic development organization and is an active community member and sustainability advocate.  She holds her undergraduate degrees in Interior Design (Parson’s School of Design) and English (College of Charleston) and a Master of Sustainable Design (Boston Architectural College).