Honoree Profile
Kathleen Haines
Whitney
- Title: Senior Designer
- Tenure at Firm: 2.5 Years
- Nominating Principal: Melissa Bogusch, President
- School: Purdue University
- Major: BA in Interior Space Planning and Design
Inspired By:
The people in my life and the world around me give the most profound impact on my daily work. Daily interactions offer me the best opportunities for learning and growth, and I love to engage with different perspectives, ideas, and life experiences. I am also drawn to travel and going out of my comfort zone to expand my horizons. I enjoy meeting new people who leave a lasting imprint on my worldview and using those experiences as foundations for new designs and ideas.
Keys to a Successful Project:
The key thing to remember is this is the client’s space not ours. Throughout the process it’s good to take a step back and ask if we are actively engaging with the client to understand their needs and expectations. It’s important to be flexible and address challenges with adaptable solutions. It’s also key to establish clear and effective communication and collaboration among team members and clients early on for a successful outcome.
The key thing to remember is this is the client’s space not ours. Throughout the process it’s good to take a step back and ask if we are actively engaging with the client to understand their needs and expectations. It’s important to be flexible and address challenges with adaptable solutions. It’s also key to establish clear and effective communication and collaboration among team members and clients early on for a successful outcome.
Interests Outside of Work:
My biggest hobby is cooking/baking/eating. Food is a common language that everyone on earth shares which is something I find really special. I also do yoga almost every day and love to stay active in the summer months with rollerblading, hiking and running. In the winter months I have more indoor hobbies like crochet, reading and video games. I love to spend time with my friends and family in the Chicago community going to Cubs games or rooftop bars in the summer or hosting trivia nights and dinner parties at my apartment with my favorite people in the winter.
“Senior Designer Kathleen (‘Kat’) Haines brings a bright smile and a bounce in her step to every project; her enthusiasm is infectious. Since joining Whitney in 2021, she has put design at the forefront of all her work, including building repositioning projects, amenity creation, corporate standards development, workplace improvements, and showroom conceptualization. Kat participates in many industry activities and most recently served as our runway model for Whitney’s “Best in Show” garment at Stitch 2023. Kat is on track to take her NCIDQ exams this year and pursue registration in the state of Illinois. Whitney has high hopes for Kat! “
Melissa Bogusch
President
Favorite Haworth Collection Piece:
What Is Special About It:
I love the modularity and how much you can do with it. To be used as a collaborative piece or create a quiet space it gives the flexibility that I think most users are looking for in the market recently.
Photos From Kathleen
