Where Design Leaders Connect and Grow
The Design Leadership Network is an interdisciplinary, principal-to-principal professional association dedicated to advancing the design industry through community, collaboration, and innovation. Our members include the founders and leaders of top interior design, architecture, and landscape studios, alongside esteemed artisans, photographers, design editors, and industry executives.
We pursue a more connected, more influential design industry: one in which individual practices, supported by each other, generate a collective intelligence powerful enough to meet a changing world and create the future of design.
"Creative entrepreneurship can be a lonely pursuit until you learn to lean on your peers. When leaders come together, a collective intelligence forms, advancing everyone's practice and the field itself."
"I believe the strongest businesses are built on relationships. The DLN exists to deepen them, giving industry principals room to connect openly, share what they know, and move forward with confidence."
Our Community Values
These six guidelines articulate the kind of leadership we believe in and the spirit we hope each of our members brings to every conversation, collaboration, and connection.
Lead With Collegiality
Treat fellow members as peers and collaborators, including those who may be considered competitors.
Honor Every Role
Recognize the leadership, creativity, and expertise of all community members, regardless of discipline.
Protect the Culture
When engaging with the community, do so as a leader in your field and representative of the industry.
Resolve Disagreements Constructively
If conflict arises with another community member, seek respectful dialogue or mediation.
Uphold Professional
Integrity
Share credit generously, support the next generation, and let collaboration shine. Avoid self promotion.
Contribute to
Thecommons
Show up. Share your knowledge. Celebrate others. The strength of the DLN depends on active, participation.
DLN Team
Peter Sallick
Founder
Michael Diaz-Griffith
Executive Director and CEO
Meghan Buonocore
Director of Events
Hadley Keller Lloyd
Director of Editorial & Community Engagement
Beth Brenner
Director of Partnerships
Amanda Oppenheimer
Director of Membership
Ellie Brown
Digital Media Manager
Ruth Mauldin
Director of the Design Leadership Foundation
Leadership Advisory Board
The Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) is a group of trusted leaders from across our community who offer insight, feedback, and guidance to help shape our programming and priorities.
Design Leadership Award
The Design Leadership Award recognizes an individual in the community who reflects the mission of the DLN. This person seeks to contribute to the growth and professionalism of the design market through their work, mentorship, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, academic, or philanthropic endeavors.
Community Impact Award
The Community Impact Award, established in 2025, recognizes an individual or individuals in our community who has demonstrated the highest dedication to community-based service, giving their time, money, or expertise—often all three—to advocate for and strengthen community ties through design.
The inaugural Community Impact Award was presented in Madrid to Caren Rideau, Shea Soucie, and Mark Williams, for their work with the Design Leadership Foundation.
Fellows
Esteemed design leaders who have contributed to our community over the years, Fellows offer their expertise through mentorship, participation in working groups and educational programs, and strategic planning.
"Thank you for including me. It was a great group, and an eye-opening experience. What a beautiful spot!"
"The DLN is home to the most talented design minds in the world. In a moment of crisis, the community’s response is nothing short of extraordinary."
"In all my 18 years of being in the DLN, the Workshop is the single most impactful thing I have ever done."
"We launched our collaboration with Donghia at KBIS with an incredible response. You will be happy to know that the idea for this collaboration was born at the bar of the Four Seasons in Mexico City during The Design Summit!"
"For clients expanding into the US, a partnership with the DLN is an absolute must. Forget a media plan; it's smarter and more strategic to join this community and benefit from direct contact and connections with A-List designers, architects, and style-setters this way."
"This is the single best networking field I have ever experienced."
"I just wanted to reach out and share how truly impactful the forum training was. I went in knowing it would be great, but wow, it exceeded every expectation. It was such a meaningful and energizing experience. I’m incredibly excited to be placed in a forum and to begin this next chapter. I can already tell how valuable this will be, and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead. Thank you again for the opportunity. It really means a lot."
The Design Leadership Foundation widens the path into architecture and design. We believe every young person should be able to envision a future in these fields, whatever their starting point — and we create the education, exposure, and mentorship that make those futures possible.
Support the DLF