Team HDG: Ariel Roth leads the IFDA PRIDE Event Roundtable
Team HDG: Ariel Roth leads the IFDA PRIDE Event Roundtable
Design Out Loud! LGBTQ+ Mentorship That Matters, the IFDA PRIDE event, took place on June 16 at M-Geough in the Boston Design Center. Helios’ Ariel Roth, along with colleague Trevor Fulmer, led the roundtable discussion. The engaging conversation focused on community, career growth, and creating more inclusive spaces together.
"Stepping outside of my comfort zone to co-lead this discussion was both thrilling and intimidating,” Roth said. "Preparing by having a call with Trevor and laying out our talking points really helped. And everyone was warm and welcoming at the event.”
Luncheon + conversation
Ariel and Trevor introduced themselves to start off the discussion. And then asked one another questions:
What drew you to design? How did you choose this career path? Who were some of the peoplewho helped shape your path?
Many LGBTQ+ professionals talk about finding community. How important has community been in your career?
Do you think being LGBTQ+ has influenced how you approach design? If so, how?
What does inclusivity look like in interior design today?
Have you ever encountered challenges in your career related to being LGBTQ+ and how did you navigate them?
What separates a great mentor from an average one?
What advice would you give emerging LGBTQ+ designers who are just entering the industry?
Several people in attendance also spoke up about their experiences in the design industry. When asked, “What do you wish people knew about you?” One of the answers was to be asked the same kinds of questions you might ask a straight person about themselves. Many of thel designers admitted that it doesn’t often come up in conversation with clients and there is no easy way to broach the topic.
One of the concluding thoughts was that the group agreed finding a mentor is helpful when starting out in a design career. And that having frank, open and honest discussions like the one are important.
Group image of those in attendance at the IFDA PRIDE Event at M-Geough
Helios was one of the luncheon sponsors along with Top Notch Contracting and Benjamin Moore. M-Geough hosted the luncheon in the Boston Design Center.
