Design Excellence Awards

Moderator Bio

Meet Moderator Matt Thompson

Matt’s journey into design began in theater, where an early interest in stagecraft, storytelling, and aesthetics sparked a lasting passion for interiors. He later transitioned through retail and visual merchandising before studying interior design at Bellevue College. Matt began his professional career at NBBJ, contributing to healthcare, workplace, and retail/hospitality projects that shaped his understanding of how environments influence experience, culture, and performance.

Today, Matt serves as a Strategic Relationship Executive at MillerKnoll, where he partners with the design community to build relationships, support specification, and connect clients with innovative solutions. His role blends design expertise, business strategy, client engagement, and brand storytelling to help project teams navigate complex needs and create spaces that support people and organizations.

Matt has been deeply involved in the design community, including serving as President of the IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter during the 2024–2025 term. He is currently co-chairing the chapter’s upcoming 2027 Product Runway event, serves as a Site Visitor for the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ), and sits on the Advisory Council for the Bellevue College Interior Design Program. As one of the first Certified Design Futurists, Matt brings a forward-thinking perspective and is passionate about helping designers and clients navigate the evolving intersection of design, technology, and human experience.

Juror Bio

Meet Juror Sarah Devine

Sarah is the Managing Principal for Revel Architecture & Design’s Los Angeles office, where she leads the growth of the firm’s Southern California practice. With over 30 years of industry experience, she is a hands-on design leader with deep expertise in strategic planning, workplace strategy, and project management.

Sarah is passionate about building strong teams, fostering long-term client relationships, and delivering exceptional design. She works closely with clients to rethink their workplaces, using design as a catalyst to boost employee satisfaction and drive productivity. Throughout her career, she has guided complex, high-profile projects across the entertainment, financial, technology, consumer brand, and professional service sectors.

An active industry leader, Sarah recently completed her term as President on the IIDA Southern California Board of Directors, where she previously served as VP of Professional Development. She also formerly served on the CoreNet SoCal board as VP of Communications.

Juror Bio

Meet Juror Hallie Terzopolos

Hallie is Vice President of Architecture & Design for Montage International, where she leads design vision, strategy, and execution across the company’s global portfolio of luxury hotels, resorts, and residences. In this role, she oversees architecture, interiors, FF&E, and art direction from early-stage development through realization, working in close partnership with Montage Executive Leadership, ownership groups, world-class design studios, and internal technical, operational, and creative teams.

With a career spanning high-profile resort, residential and cultural developments, Hallie is recognized for her ability to balance evocative, place-driven design with the rigor required to deliver complex luxury projects. Through her work, she aims to shape environments that reflect local culture and terroir while advancing Montage International’s commitment to building enduring legacies, not just properties. 

Juor Bio

Meet Juror Caroline Paris

Caroline Paris is a NCIDQ Certified & LEED AP Design Manager + Client Relationship Leader for Gensler’s Denver office where she specializes in leading project teams and building meaningful client relationships for various practice areas including workplace interiors, workplace strategy, and lifestyle interiors. Prior to re-joining Gensler in 2024, Caroline worked as an Interior Designer in the Gensler DC office, an Interior Design Manager with Marriott International’s Global Design Americas, and as a Regional Applications Consultant with Steelcase. With 18 years of industry practice, her diverse range of experience allows her to stretch across multiple project typologies, bringing a depth of cross-pollinated expertise.

Outside of work, Caroline is a Past President of the IIDA Rocky Mountain Chapter and participates in other industry organizations like CREW, CREDA, and NEWH. She is also passionate about design education, with teaching experience at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design and guest critic experience at Colorado State University, CU Denver, Pratt Institute, GW University and Marymount.

Caroline holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC and a Master of Science in Interior Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.