NKBA welcomes another group of outstanding young pros to the highly regarded program
. By Dianne M. Pogoda
NKBA’s prestigious Thirty Under 30 program recognizes accomplished young professionals under the age of 30 who are making a mark in kitchen and bath design, remodeling, sales and manufacturing.
Since 2013, the program annually has selected these rising stars based on their career or educational achievements, leadership, and their commitment to excellence, continuing professional development and the advancement of the industry. The Class of 2022 is the 10th group of honorees, bringing the total of current and alumni members in the Thirties program to 300. The 2022 program is generously sponsored by Delta Faucet Co.
Many are active in their local NKBA chapters, including holding leadership positions within chapter governance or on committees, and some already have earned NKBA certification, are qualified CEU speakers and mentors in their communities.
“It’s always a thrill to welcome the incoming Thirties,” said Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO. “This is the 10th class in the program’s history, and it’s been so inspiring to see how much these rising young stars have accomplished in their careers. We are proud to celebrate them, and provide opportunities to nurture them and help them grow in our industry. I know their future is bright.”
This year’s class selection committee, comprising Thirty Under 30 alumni, included Justin Dedio, Class of 2013; Aimee Inouye, Class of 2018; Brandon Drum, Class of 2016; Celestina Demers, Class of 2017, and Karina Gaft, Class of 2020.
The incoming class will be formally inducted on the KBIS NeXT Stage, Feb. 8 at 9:30 a.m. during KBIS 2022 in Orlando.
You can catch the first glimpse of this year’s class on Friday at 12 noon (Eastern) as NKBA’s Suzie Williford, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer, will return to Sandow’s Design TV virtual platform with Interior Design editor in chief Cindy Allen, to reveal the Thirty Under 30 Class of 2022. Tune into that episode here.
Following is the Class of 2022, along with their companies and NKBA chapter affiliation where applicable. Visit the NKBA Thirty Under 30 page for more information here.
Jessica Bolles, Oasis Showroom/APR Supply, Susquehanna Valley Chapter
Michael Boone, Green Forest Cabinetry, Virginia State Chapter
Andrew Converse, Moen
Alex Dickson, PK Brand Management, British Columbia Chapter
Darla Duncan, Prime Cabinetry
Hannah Guilford, Heart & Hammer Homes, New England Chapter
Cara Hansen, Triple Dot Design Studio, British Columbia Chapter
Jesse Jarrett, Jarrett Design, Susquehanna Valley Chapter
Becky Leu, Leu Interiors, Iowa Chapter
Andrea Liston-Jones, Liston Design Build
James McDonald, McDonald Contracting
Madelaine Millholland, Case Design Remodeling, Baltimore/Washington Chapter
Basia M’Pinda, Kohler/Williams & Associates
Antoinette Nunez, CKBD, F&J Builders, Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Hannah Pregont, Superior Marketing, Metro New York Chapter
Megan Reed, AKBD, CLIPP, Beyond the Box, Big Sky Chapter
Kelsey Richter, BDA & Associates, Indiana Chapter
Caitlin Ryan, Fisher & Paykel | DCS Experience Center, Manhattan Chapter
Grace Sheehan, CLIPP, Kitchen Doctors, Virginia State Chapter, Programs Chair
Justyna Skolasinski, AKBD, Crystal Lumber, Wisconsin/Upper Michigan Chapter
Amanda Slattery, Artistic Cabinetry, Nebraska/Kansas Chapter
Benjamin Stoler, Delta Faucet Co.
AJ Tentler, Delta Faucet Co.
Summerlyn Travis, Strohmaier Construction, Palouse Chapter, Communications Chair
Hannah Triebel, Sunnyfields Cabinetry, Baltimore-Washington Chapter
Austin Waldhauser, Kenwood Kitchens
Emily-Anne Walker, Ferguson Enterprises, Virginia State Chapter
Patience Whipple, Chariot Plumbing Supply & Design
Pip Wu, D.I.D., Ferguson/Woolsley, British Columbia Chapter
Shantelle Yablonski, Superior Cabinets, Prairie Provinces Chapter
