Turning Point Series

Big Questions, Real Stories
Fall 2017

with an evening of interactive workshop focused on professional growth and evolution.

with main speaker & panelists of creative minds from your local community, hear their story on their path of development.

by asking your burning questions and receiving support for your next turning point.

Los Angeles | November 28
Gensler | 6 – 8:30pm
500 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90071

Orange County | November 29
LPA | 6 – 8:30pm
5161 California Ave. #100, Irvine, CA 92617

John Campbell, AIA, ARIAS, RIBA, LEED AP
President at Francis Cauffman Architects

John Campbell is a specialist in workplace programming, planning, and design strategies. As new technology becomes more pervasive in offices and as business needs change, John works to ensure that his clients’ environments continue to fit their needs. For clients such as GlaxoSmithKline and W.L.Gore & Associates, he developed innovative workplace configurations that incorporate the technologies and spaces needed for contemporary business. The president of GSK US Phara praised the design for their headquarters, saying: “My teammates and I are energized by this new environment where we can do our best work and collaborate without the constraints of offices walls.”

Stephen Kenn
Designer/Owner at Stephen Kenn Studio

Stephen founded Stephen Kenn with his wife Beks Opperman in 2011. All his design projects begin with a personal curiosity about a material, a process, or a story. Whether he is creating furniture, leather goods, or art, he believes that good design should embody the simplest and most functional form and the materials should wear well with use. Stephen designs and manufactures in downtown Los Angeles.

Sean Kim
Director of Interiors at Lionakis

From Broadway to boardroom, Sean’s path to Interior Design has been a series of turning points full of twists and turns. As the Director of Interiors at Lionakis, he covers three core markets: Healthcare, Education and Civic over five regional offices: Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Newport and Honolulu. Sean brings the same “show must go on” work ethic from the Tony Award winning Broadway Musical “The King and I” to his multi award projects from AIA, IIDA and Architectural Record. “What drives my passion for design is being of service to a bigger vision. I love facilitating the discovery with our clients and empowering the design process with our team.”

Jason Lorcher, PE
CEO at Green Dinosaur

Jason founded his company 10 years ago with a vision of using business as a force for good for people and planet. Today Green Dinosaur is a Certified B Corp that meet the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability and aspire to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Jason brings over 20 years of professional engineering experience across a broad portfolio of projects demonstrating his unique passion for informed, rigorous, environmentally-responsible buildings.

Michael Reed
Executive Chef and Co-Owner of
Poppy + Rose & Root of All Foods

Michael was raised in a farm community in Ventura County where he developed a profound respect for organic produce and sustainable farming methods. While attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Michael worked at The Modern in New York City and upon graduation, accepted a position at Michelin-rated Sona in Los Angeles where he honed his French technique. Michael then transitioned to Osteria Mozza at which time he simultaneously founded his own upscale catering company, Root of All Food. Michael is executive chef/co-owner of Poppy + Rose overseeing culinary operations of the restaurant.

San Diego | December 5
Gensler | 6 – 8:30pm
225 Broadway Ste. 100, San Diego, CA 92101

Inland Empire | December 6
HMC | 6 – 8:30pm
3546 Concours St., Ontario, CA 91764

Tim Cowell, IIDA
President-Elect of IIDA SoCal
Director of Workplace Experience at Headspace

Tim Cowell has been a design professional for over 30 years, working in Design, Project Management, Healthcare, Education, Entertainment and Tech. This leads us to ask the question, “Can a Design professional create a diverse career and be successful?”

Maha Comianos
Photographer at Studio Maha

With ten years of experience in the interior design industry, Maha started her business in interior and architectural photography in 2010. She transforms her knowledge and expertise into creative imagery. With an extensive background in art and design, Maha has incorporated her unique concepts while working with major design firms. From these experiences, Maha brings an artistic eye with an understanding of space, details, and capturing what’s unique. Maha is published in Dwell, San Diego business Journal, Coastal Homes, and National Geographic.

Jason Lorcher, PE
CEO at Green Dinosaur

Jessica Newman
Painter & Professor at Newschool of Architecture & Design and Art Institute of California San Diego

Jessica Newman is a professor at the Newschool of Architecture and Design and the Art Institute of California-San Diego, where she has been teaching for 13 years. She is also an internationally published author. Newman’s paintings focuses on urban landscapes. Newman has spent the last twenty years working in architecture and design, and that is reflected in her work.

Free for IIDA Members (All Levels)
$30 for Non-IIDA Members
$10 for Non-IIDA Member Students

Click on the city center below to purchase tickets to the event:

Los Angeles | November 28
Gensler | 6 – 8:30pm
500 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90071

Orange County | November 29
LPA | 6 – 8:30pm
5161 California Ave. #100, Irvine, CA 92617

San Diego | December 5
Gensler | 6 – 8:30pm
225 Broadway Ste. 100, San Diego, CA 92101

Inland Empire | December 6
HMC | 6 – 8:30pm
3546 Concours St., Ontario, CA 91764