Lighting the way for leadership, representation, and the power of connection | Natasha Brewer, Perkins Eastman
In this inspiring episode, interior designer Natasha Brewer, Senior Interior Designer and Associate Principal of Perkins Eastman shares her perspective on leadership, creativity, and the evolving role of connection in the design industry.
The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, representation, and creating space for diverse voices, while highlighting how authenticity and vulnerability can strengthen both teams and outcomes. Natasha offers a thoughtful reflection on what it means to lead with intention, step outside of your comfort zone, and support the next generation of designers.
Her insights reinforce that design is ultimately about people and the experiences we create for them. A meaningful listen for designers and creative professionals who are passionate about growth, community, and making a lasting impact through their work.
Key Insights
- Psychological safety creates space for honest conversations, vulnerability, active listening, and stronger professional connections.
- Growth requires taking risks, embracing discomfort, and trusting that challenging experiences can lead to new opportunities.
- Lighting shapes how end users perceive, navigate, and feel within a space, making it essential to the success of interior design.
- Effective design teams balance creativity and experimentation with practical requirements such as building codes and budgets.
- Meaningful leadership involves mentoring emerging professionals and providing the guidance and encouragement previous generations may not have received.
- Inclusive collaboration begins with understanding individual experiences rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach to people or leadership.
Learn more about Natasha Brewer
Natasha Brewer, CID, IIDA, is an Associate Principal at Perkins Eastman and a licensed interior designer with more than two decades of experience across commercial and institutional projects. Blending creativity with technical and construction expertise, she designs functional, enduring spaces that support human health and reflect diverse experiences. Natasha is also a dedicated leader and mentor, contributing to Perkins Eastman’s Inclusion + Belonging initiatives, materials research programs, and the NOMA-HBCU Professional Development Program. A graduate of Kansas State University’s Interior Architecture and Product Design program, she is passionate about using design, mentorship, and representation to create meaningful change throughout the industry. Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Maria VanDeman
Maria VanDeman is the Director of Design Strategy at OFS, where she brings together design, strategy, and storytelling to create spaces that support people and inspire connection. With more than 17 years of experience in the commercial design industry, Maria has built a career spanning interior design, strategic sales, thought leadership, and advocacy for equity in the workplace. As the host of the Imagine a Place Podcast and the author of Design Your World, she is passionate about elevating the design profession and inspiring the next generation of creatives. Recognized with the 2022 HiP Leadership Award from Interior Design magazine, Maria is known for her thoughtful leadership, commitment to mentorship, and belief in the power of design to positively shape the human experience. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.
Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.
Read More about Maria in the Imagine a Place Journal
Learn more about Imagine a Place
Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.
Download the Imagine a Place Conversations Cards and spark inspiration today.
