Wow!  What an amazing chapter we are!  I am truly honored to be serving such a great community of creatives as the IIDA Mid-America Chapter President.  Throughout my career, IIDA has provided me a vast range of experiences, relationships, and opportunities that I have yet to find with another organization.

Like anything, you get out what you put in, but the value I see in IIDA has continually evolved throughout my career.  As a young professional, the educational opportunities, mentorship programs, and NCIDQ study sessions propelled my career forward.  As I’ve gained more experience, the educational aspects are still important, but the networking opportunities are invaluable to me – personally and professionally.  I have met so many inspirational people through this organization, and have truly found lifelong friends along the way.

To all our long-time IIDA members – thank you so much for your continued support of our organization!  If you’re a seasoned member, you too realize how special our design community is.  I encourage you to stay involved or reengage.  We have BIG aspirations for 2025 and need your support now more than ever.  Our advocacy efforts are unlike anything I’ve seen before and I’m full of optimism.

To all our new members – welcome!  Thank you so much for joining us!  We’re happy to have you and will help you get involved as much as you’d like.  I hope that you take the leap, try out a new event, join a committee, meet me for lunch or coffee, just get involved.  There is so much power in building your professional network.

I’m looking forward to what 2025 has in store for our chapter!

Sincerely,

Jessica Wardle, IIDA
IIDA Mid-America President