Who is Maria VanDeman?

The question “Who is Maria VanDeman?” is one that only Maria herself can answer. Designer, podcast host, Office Insight contributor/writer, daughter, wife, mother, these labels only scratch the surface. Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with Maria to peel back the layers and see if we could uncover the answer to the question: Who is Maria VanDeman?

Let's start at the beginning—where did your career in design start? Was there a moment or experience that sparked your interest in design?

My career probably began back in elementary school. I jumped at every chance to rearrange my room, and I vividly remember a drawing class where I sat on a downtown sidewalk sketching the details of historic buildings. From a young age, I also helped my dad renovate our homes, so I was constantly around construction projects like painting, framing, plumbing, woodworking, and even laying brick.

At the time, I didn’t know that architecture or interior design could be a career. It wasn’t until one of my close childhood friends chose design as her college major that the idea clicked. That moment opened my eyes, and I quickly realized that no other path quite fit my blend of creativity, artistic expression, attention to detail, and people-centered focus.

I still remember touring colleges and walking through the arts building at Purdue University, my alma mater. Beautiful design boards lined the walls, and it felt like the construction projects and blueprints of my childhood were coming to life in a way that was both exciting and creatively abstract.

Can you tell us when you first started at OFS, and what drew you to the company?

I’ll be honest—I knew nothing about OFS when I took the leap of faith from practicing interior design to joining the manufacturing side of the industry. All I knew was that I genuinely liked the people I had met, and that if I ended up not enjoying furniture, I could pivot back into workplace or healthcare design. Change always brings a mix of fear and anticipation, but I’ve never looked back.

What I’ve loved most about my eight years with OFS is that I’ve stayed deeply connected to design through my clients and through continued involvement with IIDA and other industry organizations. I’m constantly inspired by the creativity and community of designers and colleagues that drew me to this industry in the first place.

What are your hopes and ambitions for Imagine a Place? How do you envision contributing to its growth and success?

My hope for Imagine a Place is to continue building on its powerful legacy and rich foundation of over 170 episodes featuring incredible guests from every corner of the design industry. In this new season, I hope to uncover meaningful stories, amplify voices, and explore the human side of design and careers. I want to honor the creativity and passion of designers, while digging into the purpose and meaning behind what drives them. We are each writing our own story, and I’m excited to explore these narratives in a way that helps people feel seen, heard, and inspired to live and lead with greater intention.

Outside of work, what are some of the passions or interests that drive you? Are there any personal projects or causes that inspire you and align with the values you bring into your professional life?

As a mom of two young children (an eight-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son) I find so much joy in watching them discover the world. Seeing life through their eyes reminds me to stay curious, present, and open to new experiences. It's fun to help them explore their own passions, and to bring them along for mine.

My husband and I share a love of travel and adventure, and we recently took our kids on a weeklong ski trip. It’s something my husband and I have enjoyed doing together since we met, and the kids are finally old enough to enjoy it as well. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of carving down a slope with wind in your face, surrounded by beauty, and moving fast with just enough risk to feel free and alive.

That sense of adventure and curiosity about people, places and perspectives is something I want to pass on to my kids. It’s also something that shows up in my professional life. I’ve always been drawn to work that challenges me, inspires growth, and requires exploration.  For me, the adventure of learning, connecting, and creating is what keeps it all meaningful. 

For those just starting out in design, what advice would you give to young designers who want to follow a career path similar to yours? 

This exact scenario is playing out for me right now because I have a niece who was just accepted into Purdue’s interior design program. I’m thrilled to share an alma mater with her and to pass along my love for design and the incredible people in this industry. More than anything, I want her and others just starting out to know that they hold the autonomy to design their careers and pave their paths based on their unique interests and skills. That path will likely look very different from mine and from their classmates’ too.

My advice is to stay flexible and open to new opportunities. Say yes to things that might scare or stretch you, because you never know what passions you’ll discover or what talents might rise to the surface. It's okay if your career looks like a winding path instead of a straight ladder, because your goals will likely change over time and that is part of the journey. Flexibility and openness will help you embrace it. And above all, always be a good person and a good friend. It will make you happier, and it will pay dividends in ways you cannot always predict.

Looking back on your own career, are there any particular lessons or challenges that shaped your journey and would be helpful for others to consider as they navigate their own paths?

One of the biggest lessons I learned early on is just how important networking is, no matter where you are or where you plan to be. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to leave home and live in a much larger city with greater opportunities and culture. Because of that mindset, I didn’t prioritize building connections during college. I didn’t get involved in my student IIDA chapter, and I missed chances to get to know my professors or engage with local design firms.

Looking back, and especially graduating during a recession, I now realize I should have taken every opportunity to build my network and form meaningful relationships from the start. From that point forward, I never underestimated the power of community. Every job I’ve had after my first came through word of mouth or connections with manufacturer reps (who all have colleagues and connections nationally).

Relationships matter, and being the kind of person others are willing to go to bat for matters just as much. Never hesitate to ask for support or advice. The people around you often want to help; you just have to invite them in.

Finally, in an ever-evolving industry like design, what is it about design strategy that continues to excite you, and how do you plan to continue innovating and pushing boundaries in this field?

In this role, I have the opportunity to meet designers from across the country, and it’s fascinating to see the diversity of perspectives and discover what matters most to designers in each region. The needs and styles in cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, and New York are all culturally unique, and it's inspiring to be part of an industry that is progressive, human-centered, and full of potential.  There is so much opportunity for us to work hand in hand with designers to listen, to learn, and to amplify and support the incredible work being done across the industry.

OFS is uniquely positioned as a family-owned company with a rich history and deep values rooted in sustainability and culture, while having a powerful and deep portfolio of furniture solutions that support clients across industries and vertical markets. In this ever-changing industry, I'm excited to stay closely connected with the design community and to help ensure that OFS is providing industry leading interactions, experiences and thought leadership.

Maria VanDeman is much more than her titles and roles—she’s a dynamic force in design and leadership, continuously inspiring those around her. To dive deeper into her journey, insights, and upcoming projects, connect with Maria on LinkedIn. The layers of her story are still unfolding, and we can’t wait to see where her path takes her next.