The Design Board

Recorded live from the floor at NeoCon 2026, this special episode of The Design Board gets into one of the most pressing conversations in the industry right now: what does it take to earn the trust of a generation that experiences work and the workplace completely differently than the one before it?

Host Caroline Schillaci is joined by Sarah Terzic, President of UpSpring, and Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab and author of the newly released book Work for What's Next: Why Workplace Culture Is Failing and How the Next Generation Can Fix It. Together, they unpack what "failing culture" actually means for the people designing and furnishing the spaces where that culture is supposed to live, who this next generation really is, and what they want from work, and what it takes for brands, firms, and leaders in this industry to stop assuming trust and start earning it.

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows. 

What does it take to design a destination that people travel across the world to experience and leave wanting to return? In this episode of The Design Board, host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Scott LaMont, CEO of EDSA, to explore the craft and strategy behind some of the world's most celebrated luxury hospitality projects. With over 25 years of experience working with brands like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis, Scott brings a landscape architect's perspective to the big questions shaping the industry: How do you design for authenticity without resorting to imitation? How do wellness and sustainability fit into the luxury equation? And what does it really mean for designers to take responsibility for the relationship between people, nature, and place? This is a conversation about what great hospitality design demands, and where it's headed next.

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows. 

We spend so much time talking about how buildings look and function. But what about what’s happening behind the walls?

Host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Missy Cain, Environmental Planning Principal at HGA,  to dive into the often overlooked systems that quietly shape building health, with a focus on water management and its real-world consequences. From adaptive reuse to healthcare environments, we explore how early decisions can either prevent risk or create it and why collaboration across design and engineering has never mattered more.

Because when it comes to building performance, what you don’t see is often what matters most.

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows. 

Sustainability used to be a differentiator. Now, it’s expected.

In this episode of The Design Board, host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Arathi Gowda a Principal at ZGF Architects to explore what happens when sustainability is no longer the headline, but the starting point. As new standards, client expectations, and cost pressures reshape the industry, firms are being forced to rethink how sustainability actually shows up in their work. The conversation looks at the gap between ambition and execution, where bold goals meet real-world constraints, and how teams are adapting in response.

Arathi shares how this shift is playing out inside practice: from more measured conversations with clients to embedding sustainable thinking directly into materials, systems, and the overall experience of a space. The result isn’t always louder—it’s often quieter, more integrated, and more effective. This episode asks a bigger question: if sustainability is now the baseline, what does it take to design above it?

Editor's Note: Since this recording, Arathi Gowda has transitioned from ZGF Architects to Principal, NE Regional Regenerative Design Director at Perkins&Will.

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows. 

As engineering firms grow, one of the first things to get squeezed is the time and consistency it takes to actually develop people. In this episode of The DesignBoard, we talk with Brandon Harwick, President of Engenium Group, and Jessica Norton, Partner and Director of Human Resources, about how their firm tackled that problem head-on by hiring a full-time, dedicated internal coach. Brandon and Jessica walk through the business case behind that decision, what it's meant for growth, leadership development, and retention, and why they believe coaching is one of the most undervalued investments an engineering firm can make.

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows. 

In this episode of The Design Board, host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Megan DeTratto and Linda Wallack of TOKONEXT, alongside TOKONEXT strategic collaborator Marjanne Pearson, to explore what it takes to build a more intentional, future-ready design firm.

As talent expectations shift and firms navigate new definitions of growth, the conversation examines how organizations are approaching leadership, succession, culture, and long-term strategy more holistically. Rather than treating hiring as a transaction, our guests share a more holistic perspective, one that ties together people, purpose, performance, and positioning.

The discussion also reframes what growth can look like, moving beyond size to focus on quality, impact, and clarity of direction.

If firms are in a constant state of evolution, what does it really mean to design the firm itself?

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows. 

Join host Caroline Schillaci in conversation with Chris Tucker, CEO of NEWH, Inc., as they explore how women professionals can make the most of industry organizations. From fostering leadership growth to cultivating meaningful relationships and accessing continued education, Chris shares actionable insights on how industry organizations membership can empower women across diverse markets. Discover practical strategies for staying engaged and informed, building a supportive professional network, and leveraging organizational resources to accelerate careers and redefine roles within companies and the broader industry.

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows. 

Host Tiffany Rafii is joined by artist, designer, and maker Amy Devers, host and producer of Clever, to discuss building a podcast platform that gives listeners a window into our own humanity. In this episode, Amy shares insights from her career as a designer, educator, and podcast host, and how she has navigated and overcome barriers in each field. She also discusses nurturing creativity and the importance of uplifting one another within the design industry and beyond. With extensive experience in both the creative and educational fields, Amy expresses her passion for creative exploration and her dedication to helping others unlock their full potential. Tune in for an engaging conversation as Amy reflects on her journey and what has led her to become a true champion of creativity and storytelling.

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows. 

This episode explores the personal and professional journey of Amanda Vierheller, COO and Co-founder of Playgarden. Amanda shares her passion for early education and her vision for building an impactful business in this space. From overcoming early challenges to fostering community and mentorship, she provides invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs—particularly women striving to make their mark in education and beyond.

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows. 

Host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Tara Raffi, Founder and CEO of Almond ObGyn, to explore the pressing challenges in women’s healthcare and how Almond is working to address them. Tara shares her vision for the future of women’s health, insights on improving access to reproductive care, and the inspiration behind creating Almond. Tune in for an in-depth conversation on revolutionizing the healthcare industry and empowering women. 

The Design Board, by UpSpring, is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's  SURROUND Podcast Network, home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.