Life Inspired

From composting food waste to fertilize her gardens to opting for reusable silicone bags and beeswax paper over single-use plastics, Sasha is committed to lessening the detrimental impact that modern humans make on the environment. That passion and dedication have extended far beyond the walls of her home, driving her to seek more sustainable solutions in the world of contract furnishing textiles.

Working with SEAQUAL® INITIATIVE, an organization that partners with ocean clean-ups from around the globe to bring value to the waste they recover, Sasha and her team have been leading the efforts at HNI to introduce sustainable fabrics made from SEAQUAL® YARN. This innovative yarn is comprised of approximately 10% SEAQUAL® MARINE PLASTIC from recovered marine litter, with the remaining 90% made of post-consumer PET from land sources.

“We are one of the first office furniture manufacturers to offer something like this in our textile portfolio. And while we already had many fabrics in our offering that feature pre- and post-consumer recycled content, this initiative takes our sustainability efforts to the next level because of its direct impact on improving the state of our oceans and marine life.”

It’s been estimated that over 12 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year, hampering our ecosystem and killing millions of marine animals through marine debris ingestion. By partnering with socially-conscious manufacturers like HNI and leveraging the passionate commitment of people like Sasha, SEAQUAL INITIATIVE is working diligently to effect lasting positive change.

While providing more sustainable alternatives sounds impressive in theory, it does little to help the environment if performance or aesthetics are lacking or if the solutions are priced out of reach for customers. Soft, durable, and available in a comprehensive range of inviting colors, this new textile collection is offered at an upcharge that’s aligned with other Allsteel fabrics.

According to Marcus Simpao, Senior Product Portfolio Manager for HNI, “These fabrics can be used on Allsteel task and lounge seating like our 06 Task Chair and Jetty:Mod lounge system, as well as on vertical applications like our Universal Screens. We made every effort to keep the price point attainable for our customers so that these fabrics could be considered a viable option. And the response we’ve received so far has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Because the journey toward sustainability is an ongoing endeavor, Sasha’s work is far from over. She is already engaged in the exploration of a second textile collection that will give customers more options and further progress HNI’s long-term environmental goals.

“This was an incredibly surprising and humbling honor; I had no idea my team had nominated me,” Joan explained, “The news came in at 8 PM on a Friday night from Jami Wintz McKeon, The Paradigm Committee Chair – it was out of the blue and I was blown away.”

According to COFCO’s Marketing & Bid Manager Michelle Segal, there is no one more deserving of the award, “It brought tears to my eyes hearing she was selected as this year’s honoree,” she said, “Joan has stewarded an organization where people genuinely enjoy coming to work each day.”

Joan’s tenure at COFCO began in November of 1988 but she hurdled several obstacles before landing there.

The Bostonian grew to be a six-foot-tall forward for her high school and her college team women’s basketball teams, which is where she learned the value of teamwork and preparation. Her skills on the court and strong work ethic shaped the trajectory of her life.

“My SAT scores were less than impressive, but my sister convinced the folks at Bryant University, in Rhode Island, to meet with me in person. The interview and the fact I played basketball were the reasons I was ultimately admitted.  I nearly flunked out during my first semester but luckily, I discovered I am an audio learner, which I have leaned into ever since to find success.”

While at Bryant, Joan studied Business Management and Economics. She had set expectations for what her life would look like post-graduation – she knew she would go home and  work for her father’s company. However, life rarely goes according to plan, and Joan, sadly, lost her father unexpectedly during her senior year. Suddenly, her future became less certain.

“After my father’s passing, I closed his business. I graduated and headed for Maryland where my sister resided. On a whim, I interviewed at a firm that sold office furniture and received a job offer. Candidly, I did very well – rather quickly.”

After a year and half in the workforce, Joan was promoted to management. She was tasked with traveling up and down the East coast to underperforming locations to ‘fix’ them and moved six times in seven years during her 20s.

“I lived in NYC for 18 months and it was the longest five years of my life! On an exceptionally bad New York day, I received a call from COFCO owners Alan Einstein and his father, the late David Einstein. They happened to be opening a smaller dealership in Philadelphia called Office Furniture Centers and wanted me to run the company. I ended up meeting with them the following Saturday for six hours and accepted the job on the spot.”

Prior to joining forces with the Einsteins, Joan recalls multiple occasions where males (who were not nearly as qualified as her) were promoted to leadership positions simply because nobody could imagine a female in that role.

“I owe Alan and David such an enormous debt of gratitude. They did not see me as someone in my 20s and they did not see me as female. They simply saw me as an enthusiastic and passionate human who would do great work. They not only gave me the responsibility but the authority to lead.”

Over time, Office Furniture Centers continued to grow, and the organization eventually merged with COFCO. Joan became VP of Sales, and she realized she did not just sell office furniture but created environments that inspire and attract positive energy. Joan’s ability to motivate others to think similarly ultimately resulted in her being gifted 5% of the company on her 40^th birthday.

Outside of work, Joan is a bicyclist; she met her husband John of 29 years cycling. A few years into their marriage John became very ill and was diagnosed with cancer. The two of them grew even closer on the roller coaster to remission, and John, fortunately, survived cancer – A year and half after John’s stem cell transplant  Joan was tragically struck by a car, while riding her bicycle.  

“What are the odds? When John got better, I broke my back in two places and crushed my left wrist and several ribs. I love cycling so much though, the day the doctor released me, I was back on my bike alongside John.”

Two years later, Joan was involved in another serious bike accident and broke her right scapula and right wrist. This one was harder to come back from.

“I almost gave up. I was in the middle of a 45-mile event on a cold, miserable day when I slipped and fell in a mud puddle. I said, ‘I’m done, this is it.’ But after sitting there for a minute, I thought, ‘I can’t go out like this’, and I finished the event.”

Joan’s willingness to work hard and consistently overcome the obstacles put in front of her is the primary reason for her success. During Women’s History month her advice to women everywhere is to never give up, “Things do not go our way all the time, but it is just a moment in time – keep going! Understand that because you do not succeed at the moment, does not mean you are a failure, it just means you need to keep working at it!!! Love what you do and work for people you admire and respect.”

Through 2023 and beyond, Joan will continue to pave the path for other women in the industry as well as her beloved nieces, “Women’s History Month should help us remember the thousands of successful women that we came before us that did not receive acknowledgment or accolades. It is my goal to make it easier for women that come after me.”

An Ohio native and graduate of the Ohio State University, Raphael found his path of self-discovery leading him to Atlanta, Georgia before finally landing him in New York City. It was while in Atlanta, after a series of life-changing events, that he was introduced to the power of community service and giving back.

“My last year in Atlanta, I did a lot of volunteering. One of the places I volunteered for was Meals On Wheels which delivers meals to those who are food or housing insecure. Through that work, I was exposed to many unfamiliar neighborhoods and got to meet so many different types of people and hear their stories. Listening to their stories—some of which were so similar to my own—I began to realize that we are all just a half step away from being in the same situation.”

This realization is what prompted Raphael to take a more empathetic approach to life, both personally and professionally. Seeing the impact and transformation that can result from a simple act of kindness has led him to make service to others a priority in his life’s journey—a mindset that he tries to instill in others now that he is in New York.

His work with the IIDA Equity Council, a group focused on promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within the industry, is about serving those who are underrepresented and amplifying their voices. The resounding takeaway for the design community is that representation, access, and belonging matter, and designers can play a critical role in effecting positive change.

Challenging the next wave of up-and-coming designers to think on those terms has become another one of Raphael’s life missions. Serving as a mentor to young designers from different firms around the city, Raphael spearheads bi-weekly networking events where he can provide career guidance and plant the seeds for a more empathetic and inclusive approach to designing spaces.

“I’m a firm believer in the saying, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ So, I try to encourage the younger generation I work with to be more mindful about designing spaces that can be appreciated by everyone who wants access. And I take the opportunity whenever I can to share how important it is to give back to the communities where we live and work. Because when we authentically are of service to others, everyone benefits, and we have the power to change lives for the better.”

“More than twenty-five years ago, after earning my Arts degree from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago and studying design in Italy, I built a multimillion-dollar fashion company selling my collections to 1,800 stores situated around the world – in two years’ time. Alongside that, came a great deal of stress; I had these extraordinarily high, manic-like moments where I’d go into overdrive to meet multiple, high-priority deadlines. I remained optimistic because that is my nature, but it became difficult to manage.

During this period, I traveled to Asia on business and unknowingly embarked on a journey that would teach me to cope with stress and ultimately change the course of my life. I all but fell onto a yoga mat, learned to breathe properly, figured out how to meditate, and discovered a formula to connect to a power greater than myself.

I subsequently sold my fashion business and opened a 5,000 sq. ft. wellness sanctuary in the heart of Chicago for individuals to seek reprieve from day-to-day stressors through meditation, yoga, and other wellness therapies.

Delving into the science of wellness, I examined mindful living and the blue zones of the world to help brands market the benefits of a holistic lifestyle, and I began and continue to lead international mindfulness and wellness retreats. It has been incredibly fulfilling to witness people live more consciously by finding joy in mini rituals, like cutting up an apple or drinking tea. The immense gratitude that comes with living in a mindfulness state is what fuels my passion.

However, life—as I knew it—took an unexpected turn four years ago. I was involved in a high-impact car accident and suffered from what was believed to be a severe concussion. I woke up the morning after and didn’t know where I was – my hands and feet were numb, and my body was extremely weak. Several brain scans later, I discovered I was born with a rare congenital condition called Chiari malformation. Essentially, this means my brain tissue extends into my spinal canal, and the swelling from the accident was causing my brain to push down into my spine, up against my skull, and blocking my cerebral spinal fluid.

I was ordered to stay off all screens/devices for the next six months to allow my brain to heal from the shock. I developed permanent tinnitus in the process and can still hear screaming in my ears 24-7. For the first time in my life, I could relate to my little sister who lives with nonverbal autism, and growing up with her, I understood a complete change in my lifestyle and that immersing myself in a multisensory environment could help relieve my symptoms.

While there were times I struggled to get out of bed, I made a point to escape to my bathroom sanctuary when I felt overwhelmed – it became my haven. I dimmed the lights, lit candles, burned aromatherapy oil, turned up soothing music, and imagined I was somewhere else, like watching a sunset on a sandy white beach. I believe this is how I narrowly avoided brain surgery. Still, if I am consumed by too much noise or bright light, or if I smell something that doesn’t sit quite right, I grow extremely anxious and become very symptomatic.

Years earlier, while teaching mindfulness meditation, I had interviewed several employees from multiple different corporations who sat in towering cubicles all day with nowhere to go to shut down their brains. This memory profoundly disturbed me as I learned to live with my own disability, and it is what prompted the company I founded to develop and design physical spaces in the built environment that take people on soothing and meditative voyages into their deepest selves where inner-peace and calm lives. Within as little as five minutes in a wellness space, you can reduce stress and anxiety and reset your mind and body by just engaging in conscious breathing techniques.

Through a curated, eleven-sense, wellness mapping philosophy, MindCurate^™ transforms spaces into multi-dimensional, meditative, and tranquil environments through biophilic nature design, alchemy, elements, ritual, sound frequency, visual projection, energy architecture, music, guided meditation, scent and beyond.

Wellness rooms can be implemented in residential, commercial, educational, hospitality, and urban creative spaces. In a post-pandemic world, these rooms offer businesses an appealing way to bring employees back to the workplace as they nurture human well-being and boost engagement and inclusivity. However, organizations need to also be prepared to incorporate a robust wellness strategy into their policies or the physical spaces will not be nearly as meaningful. The entire organizational culture must shift.

That is where MindCurate comes in – from live curated experiential events, mindfulness content creation, hands-on training, immersive brand activations, retreats, and the design of wellness space, our ethos is to assist in finding unique ways to acquire calm and serenity.

Mindfulness is what we all desperately need right now – in some shape or form. Simple, mindfulness meditation and breathwork techniques can help manage stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, addiction, and PTSD. Pioneering the movement into mainstream society will strengthen humanity, and make our world a more beautiful place to live in."

The Morenos were relocated to Muscatine, Iowa when Martin was a teenager. After graduating from Muscatine high school, Martin joined the United States Marine Corps and traveled all over.

“I was eager to serve my country – I met a lot of great people and learned many life skills. When I finished my active service, I moved back home to Iowa and married my high school sweetheart.”

Today, Martin is a proud dad to two sons. He has over twenty years of managerial experience and has been employed by HNI Corporation, Allsteel’s parent company, since 2014.

As part of an HNI Belong initiative, Martin recently co-launched Somos HNI, a Member Resource Group (MRG) – translating to “We Are HNI” in English – is intended to empower HNI’s Hispanic and Latino population to reach personal and professional goals.  

To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, the MRG hosted a celebratory fiesta at the American Legion in Muscatine on September 4 and invited the community to partake in a wide range of family-friendly activities including live music, food vendors, a loteria, and soccer.

“I’ll be honest, Hispanic Heritage Month never held much significance to me. However, lately, my mindset is shifting – maybe it’s my age or my exposure to the MRG, but I’m proud of my culture and it’s inspiring to break barriers and bridge the gap on stereotypes.”