The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) has announced the induction of its new president for 2014-2015, Julio Braga, Design Principal of IA Interior Architects. Current IIDA Vice President Scott Hierlinger, Design Director of Nelson, has been named the President-Elect for the 2015-2016 year; and Marlene Liriano, Vice President and Director of Interior Design for HOK, was elected to the International Board of Directors.

Clockwise from top: Julio Braga, Scott Hierlinger, Felice Silverman, Marlene Liriano

“Julio’s international experience and unwavering commitment to commercial interior design make him an ideal candidate to lead IIDA into its next 20 years,” said IIDA Executive VP and CEO Cheryl S. Durst. “Likewise, the ongoing dedication of Scott, Marlene and Felice to the profession, and their vast collective industry experience give them the instinct and insight needed to make outstanding contributions to the IIDA International Board in the next year, and we look forward to their input in advancing IIDA and the Interior Design profession worldwide.”

Officially inducted at the annual IIDA meeting earlier this month in Chicago, Braga will succeed Past-President Felice Silverman, Founder and Principal of Silverman Trykowski Associates Inc., who retains a seat as Vice President.

"In this, its milestone 20th year, IIDA is more focused than ever on its mission to be the pre-eminent association for the commercial interior design profession," said Braga. "As President of the International Board, I am prepared to do everything I can to advance that mission. I plan to work hand-in-hand with IIDA staff, board members, chapter leaders, and business partners to maintain our strong leadership position here in the United States, and to extend our reach further into global markets. My commitment to the IIDA mission is most likely rooted in my own personal journey."

Throughout Braga’s more than 25 years in the profession, he has directed a broad range of projects both domestically and internationally. In the early 1990s, he joined WalkerGroup/CNI’s Environmental Branding Studio as Design Director. By 1999, he established Braga Oris Associates, which would be named an up-and-coming Design Firm of the Year only five years later.

His numerous accolades include Institute of Store Planners’ Specialty Store of the Year Award in 2002 for his Ford new-concept store; an IFMA Design Excellence Award for his design of the IA Interior Architects offices in New York; and in 2009, Interior Design magazine’s Best of the Year award for his headquarters project for Bancolombia in Medellin, Colombia, which also earned him the CoreNet CA Chapter Innovation Award, IIDA NY Chapter Lester Dundes Award and the IIDA Global Design Excellence Award.

Hierlinger is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and has worked on regional and national high-profile interior design projects including Polaris Industries, Comerica Bank and SPS Commerce, among others.

A graduate of Florida International University, Liriano gained years of experience as interior design director for Perkins+Will in Miami where she developed her reputation for delivering innovative, thoughtful design solutions. As Director of Interior Design and discipline leader for the Florida practice of HOK, she continues to exceed client expectations.