Looking Ahead with Purpose: Big Moments Still to Come While the Hallmark Channel may be flooding our screens with snow-dusted romances this July, the origins of Christmas in July stretch far beyond TV nostalgia. For me, it harkens back to my days in advertising, when July meant staging wintery scenes under hot lights to meet the long lead times of print catalog and advertising production. Before digital shortcuts, we planned for months to bring those holiday moments to life. That same spirit of preparation is alive and well at NKBA Manhattan. Even amid summer’s swelter, our chapter is looking ahead and laying the foundation for an extraordinary finish to our 25th anniversary year. "Summer Nights, City Lights,” We’re starting strong with “Summer Nights, City Lights,” our annual Summer Social taking place on Wednesday, July 16. This members-only celebration is hosted in collaboration with the New York Design Coalition—including ASID, NKBA, IFDA, and IDS—and invites you to connect with fellow design professionals under the magic of NYC’s skyline. Space is limited, and registration is now open. If you're not a member already, this is the perfect time to join. Proceeds from this memorable evening support Nazareth Housing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting vulnerable families and individuals in crisis. 4th Annual Education & Membership Day (EduDay) Next up, we’ll gather for our invitation-only Lutron-sponsored board Dinner on August 21. This special evening honors the dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors who fuel our chapter’s success and community impact throughout the year. It's our way of saying thank you for showing up all year long. Then, mark your calendar for Thursday, October 16, 2025, when we host our 4th Annual Education & Membership Day (EduDay)—the crown jewel of our programming and a grand finale to our 25th Anniversary year. This award-winning event is one of the most anticipated on our calendar, bringing together industry professionals, students, and thought leaders for a day of CEU fun-education, vibrant networking, and meaningful celebration during NKBA’s National Kitchen & Bath Month. If you're not a member already, this is the perfect time to join and be eligible for the grand raffle with a paid membership. Let’s embrace the second half of the year with purpose. Save these dates now—you won’t want to miss a moment. But it’s not all about what’s ahead—this month’s newsletter also celebrates where we’ve been and the voices that continue to shape our community. In The Pink: The Road To Roslyn This month's recap from our buddy Beth Forer takes us back to our unforgettable June chapter meeting, where members traveled in style aboard our Clerestory-sponsored bus to the stunning Sub-Zero showroom in Roslyn Heights. With everyone dressed festively in shades of pink, it was a joyful—and ultra-sophisticated—outing that perfectly captured the energy of our chapter. Thanks to Jeff Siegel’s photography, you can relive every detail of the sumptuous food and networking at our event recap, as shared by members who attended. We’re also proud to spotlight the thoughtful feature article by longtime member Julie Schuster, who this month delves deep into 'Going Beyond Aging in Place' and 'Universal Design.' Julie’s insights reflect our industry’s evolving understanding of how design impacts the quality of life at every stage—an essential perspective for any K&B professional striving to create spaces that serve everyone. Speaking of perspectives, this month’s Member Spotlight falls—unexpectedly—on me. As my presidency winds down, it has been a time of reflection and gratitude. In a beautifully candid interview conducted by our newsletter editor, Maureen Klein, I share some twists and turns from my four-decade career spanning design, technology, and communications—and how that winding path ultimately brought me here, to the NKBA and the kitchen and bath world. As Maureen’s questions pulled me back through time, I was reminded that careers rarely follow a straight line. Who knew that a fine arts program would eventually bring me to this incredible, collaborative industry? | 
