The New York School of Interior Design announced that it has appointed Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, LEED AP, executive vice president and CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), as a member of the College’s Board of Trustees, effective September 24, 2019.

“We are delighted to welcome Cheryl Durst to the New York School of Interior Design Board of Trustees,” said NYSID president David Sprouls. “Cheryl has a wealth of experience and her leadership has been key to the success of IIDA. Her unique perspective combined with her individual commitment to NYSID, and the interior design industry will be a valuable addition to the Board. IIDA, itself a nonprofit, has a strong alignment with the mission and goals of NYSID, and we look forward to her leadership as a member of our Board of Trustees.”

An exceptional communicator, innovator, and visionary leader, Durst has spurred progress, driven change, and encouraged the expansion of the interior design industry. As the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of IIDA, Durst is committed to achieving broad recognition for the value of design and its significant role in society through both function and engagement in every-day workspaces and the built environment. Demonstrated by her active involvement in connecting industry professionals, including designers, manufacturers, clients, end-users, and employers, she has worked to promote an understanding of how design impacts human behavior and affects all aspects of shared spaces.

In 1997, Durst joined IIDA as the senior director of education and professional development and was promptly promoted to executive vice president and CEO in 1998. Despite significant challenges in the organization, Durst implemented an aggressive fiscal redevelopment and turnaround strategy. Through her efforts, she revived the association and repositioned it as a profitable enterprise, integral to the interior design community and dedicated to furthering the profession of interior design.

Today, with more than 15,000 members across 58 countries, Durst oversees the strategic direction of IIDA, curates and publishes Perspective, the association’s design journal, manages a team of 25 professional staff members, leads the 10-member International Board of Directors, and directs all outreach and programmatic efforts, including more than a dozen global design competitions, which recognize worldwide excellence in interior design.

"Today’s design students are tasked with creating and shaping the built environment of tomorrow. It is truly an honor to be given the opportunity to support the emerging designers of the future,” said Durst. “I am proud to join NYSID’s exceptional leadership team alongside my talented and dedicated fellow board members.”

In addition, the New York School of Interior Design has appointed Eric Gering as faculty trustee, effective September 24. Gering has been an instructor at NYSID nearly 20 years and offers a unique faculty perspective to the Board of Trustees.

“Eric Gering is a renowned architect and educational leader, and has been deeply involved in our student's development as future designers,” said Sprouls. “We are thrilled to have him on the board.”