Every SDA member has a unique story - one that reflects their journey, growth, and connection to our vibrant community. In our new blog series, SDA & Me, we’re highlighting the voices of our members as they share what brought them to SDA, how their experience has evolved, and the moments that have made the biggest impact. Whether it’s professional development, lasting friendships, or unforgettable experiences, these testimonials showcase the value of being part of SDA. Today, we feature Elizabeth Harris, FSDA,  as she shares her SDA journey and what keeps her engaged in our community.

Finding My Professional Identity

I joined SDA in 2005 after discovering it at the AIA Convention in New Orleans. At the time, I was searching for meaning in my professional life. Years earlier, I had walked away from the active practice of law—burned out and unhappy. Running my husband’s architecture firm aligned with my skills and gave me the flexibility I needed while raising our three daughters, but I struggled with my professional identity.

SDA changed that. It gave me a community, a title, and a place to grow. It gave me something meaningful to say when people asked, “So, what do you do?”

Not long after I joined, then-SDA President Deborah Gill drove from New Orleans to Baton Rouge just to take me to lunch. Her pitch? Start an SDA Baton Rouge chapter and join the certification task force developing the Certified Design Firm Administrator (CDFA) exam. I did both. Helping establish SDA’s first knowledge-based certification and launching a local chapter became defining milestones in my professional journey.

The Path to Fellow

While the CDFA builds foundational skills, becoming an SDA Fellow requires five years as a CDFA, significant service to SDA, and a demonstrated impact on the profession. It’s not just about participation—it’s about legacy.

After becoming an SDA Fellow in 2020, I helped develop the Fellows Path2Success program. This experience deepened my perspective—how to create programs that resonate with members, how to measure what we do so we can improve, and how even our “whoops” moments are just stepping stones to excellence. Trust me, there are layers to this organization you can only uncover after you've been around the block a few times!

Productive Partnerships

An unexpected bonus of my SDA journey? The recurring Zoom workshop sessions with SDA Executive Director Stephanie Kirschner. These started when I was MarCom Co-Chair and quickly became a game-changer.

Before I knew the term body doubling or focus time, these sessions became my professional lifeline—a space where we get stuff done. We log on with a list, flesh out ideas, and turn concepts into reality in real time. By the time we sign off, we’ve transformed vague notions into concrete plans—and we both feel like we can conquer the world.

That kind of synergy isn’t just rare—it’s irreplaceable.

Discovering New Skills

SDA has also pushed me to explore new skills I never expected to develop.

Take video content marketing—something I wouldn’t have touched otherwise. As a volunteer on the MarCom team, I took on the challenge of editing raw SDA footage into testimonials. My daughter suggested trying TikTok as a free editing tool. The office Gen Zs encouraged me. I used my architect husband as my test subject, and in the process, I discovered CapCut.

Fast forward—those SDA videos were completed, and my husband's TikTok presence took off, with one video pulling in 3.2 million views. That single experiment led to home construction and renovation contracts totaling over $1 million in construction value. With our fee structure, the time and effort invested in learning video editing more than paid for itself.

Would that have happened without SDA pushing me into something new? Absolutely not.

Looking Forward

SDA isn’t just about past experiences—it’s about what’s next.

Right now, I’m preparing to convert my CDFA to CDFO, taking the exam onsite at EDS25 in Lexington on May 20, 2025. And I’m using the AI skills I’ve polished through SDA to generate multiple-choice questions as part of my study strategy.

That’s the thing about SDA—it doesn’t just provide knowledge, it fosters innovation. It encourages members to explore new technologies, new skills, and new ways of thinking.

My journey with SDA isn’t just about professional growth—it’s about staying ahead of the curve.

Enduring Value

With AI and the internet at our fingertips, it’s easy to assume professional organizations are less relevant. But professional associations like SDA are more critical than ever for aspiring professionals.

After twenty years in the field, I’ve learned one thing for certain: SDA isn’t just an association—it’s where careers take shape, identities are built, and tomorrow’s industry-changing ideas find their foundation.

The future of design firm management won’t be built by AI or internet searches. It will be built by people—connected, engaged, and pushing each other forward.

That’s why SDA still matters.

 And that’s why I’m still here.

Want to share your SDA story? Each member’s journey is unique, and we’d love to hear yours! If SDA has made an impact on your career and connections, reach out to us (admin@sdanational.org) to be featured in a future SDA & Me spotlight. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our amazing members!

Every SDA member has a unique story - one that reflects their journey, growth, and connection to our vibrant community. In our new blog series, SDA & Me, we’re highlighting the voices of our members as they share what brought them to SDA, how their experience has evolved, and the moments that have made the biggest impact. Whether it’s professional development, lasting friendships, or unforgettable experiences, these testimonials showcase the value of being part of SDA. Today, we feature SDA National President, Kim Celenza, as she shares her SDA journey and what keeps her engaged in our community.

When did you join SDA and what initially motivated you to join?

I joined SDA as a Canstruct-a-Member 11 years ago. While working at Perkins Eastman, I walked into Peggy McGrath’s office and asked for an espresso machine for our floor. All the other floors had one. She replied with, “Sure, I’ll get the espresso machine for marketing if you join SDA and co-chair the marketing committee.” One long story-short and a roller coaster (in the best way of course) journey later…

As a marketing professional for the bulk of my career, before my membership expired, I had been going back and forth between continuing my membership with SDA or becoming a member of SMPS. What drew me into SDA was its all-inclusive nature.

How has your experience with SDA changed over time?

I believe you should never stop learning or growing in your career, and I appreciate the broad base of knowledge I have and continue to acquire as part of my SDA experience. It has helped me grow in my career since joining, it was also my “village” when I found myself unemployed for the first time in over a decade. After serving the past four years on ExCom amongst some of the most brilliant and inspiring humans I have ever met, I am now serving my term as National President, trying to give back to an organization that has given me so much. This organization inspires me; it empowers me.

What aspects of SDA have you enjoyed the most?

The connection, the comradery, the learning, and doing better. Being better, better professionals and better humans. The beautiful friendships and mentorship connections.

What motivates you to stay engaged or involved with SDA?

The feeling of unity, we are each other’s village. We are here FOR each other. SDA as an organization is bigger than our chapters, it is bigger than us as individuals. It is a deep well of knowledge and expertise in a very niche field.

Can you describe a memorable experience you have had as an SDA member?

Stepping into my first EDSymposium in Salt Lake City back in 2018, during my first term as New York Chapter President, I honestly did not know what to expect. The New York Chapter to my knowledge always felt like it operated on an island- literally and figuratively. However, upon arriving that first evening, any negative expectations or concerns quickly became moot. What I walked into was an incredibly warm and welcoming group of members from all over the country just waiting up for “New York” to get there. By the time I left and returned to NY I had not only gained knowledge that I did not have before but created bonds of mentorship and friendship that have stayed with me through the years. I also no longer felt like we were on an island, and from that day on, I made it my priority to dismantle that invisible silo, and instead build and reinforce a bridge.

Want to share your SDA story? Each member’s journey is unique, and we’d love to hear yours! If SDA has made an impact on your career and connections, reach out to us (admin@sdanational.org) to be featured in a future SDA & Me spotlight. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our amazing members!

Every SDA member has a unique story - one that reflects their journey, growth, and connection to our vibrant community. In our new blog series, SDA & Me, we’re highlighting the voices of our members as they share what brought them to SDA, how their experience has evolved, and the moments that have made the biggest impact. Whether it’s professional development, lasting friendships, or unforgettable experiences, these testimonials showcase the value of being part of SDA. Today, we feature Lisa Syfrett, CDFA, who shares her SDA journey and what keeps her engaged in our community.

When did you join SDA and what initially motivated you to join?

I joined SDA in January 2002 when my boss recommended that I join an association. I did not know what that meant but he knew of SDA and specifically recommended I join.

How has your experience with SDA changed over time?

I have watched so many incredible people really shine and climb the ladder within their firms and the industry giving me more confidence and encouragement to pave my own path within my firm and my career.

What aspects of SDA have you enjoyed the most?

I have enjoyed the friendships that I have made and what I would call my “tribe” who supports me with every new step in my job. I never feel like I am alone without a support system who is ready to help me figure things out.

What motivates you to stay engaged or involved with SDA?

I want other young people coming into the industry to know there is an organization of incredibly smart individuals that will help them. SDA has always been a place of zero judgement which helps when you are green and have no idea what you are doing.

Can you describe a memorable experience you’ve had as an SDA member?

I have a million memories of SDA, but my #1 experience is attending my first SDA Conference in Charlotte, NC. I had two young sons at home, and it was the first time I had ever left them or gone on any kind of work trip. I only knew people from my Chapter and was homesick, worried about my children, but so many people surrounded me to make sure I was okay and to immerse me into the experience. These people are lifelong friends who continue to support me and help me learn as I grow.

Want to share your SDA story? Each member’s journey is unique, and we’d love to hear yours! If SDA has made an impact on your career and connections, reach out to us (admin@sdanational.org) to be featured in a future SDA & Me spotlight. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our amazing members!