RISEN

An innovative group of Rhodec students from around the globe is behind RISEN.  They are keen on international design information and are constantly seeking new ways of communicating.  If this is how you would describe yourself, then this is the place to be!

Our Founding Members are:

• Rick Cejalvo -- Oregon, USA
• Ann Drayton Derrick -- South Carolina, USA
• Mary Howington -- Louisana, USA
• Lise Lindberg Holmsen -- Copenhagen, Denmark
• Martina MacGreevy -- Brussels, Belgium
• Sylvie Podloski -- Vienna, Austria
• Sheree Ammirata Schold -- Florida, USA
• Fiona Worboys -- Michigan, USA
• Marguerite  -- USA

Meet our Founding Board Members:

Fiona Worboys, USA, is the CyberCentre Director and leads the group of three directors.  Fiona also ensures that RISEN continues to espouse its Mission.

Originally from the United Kingdom, I followed an economics degree with working in the fashion retail industry in London. Moving to the United States in 2002 (Chicago, followed by Michigan), then gave me the wonderful opportunity to pursue a long-nurtured interest in interior design, by studying within Rhodec International.  (I aim to graduate through London Metropolitan University in 2006.)

During this time I've sought to become active in the design community wherever possible, including becoming a student member of IIDA, and taking part in many local events.  I also served on the IIDA "Student Advisory Committee" for the year 2004-2005.

Additional design experience includes an internship with residential interior design firm "Bay Design" in Ann Arbor, volunteering on community projects with "Habitat for Humanity" in Detroit, and "Supporting the Spirit Foundation" in Chicago, and participating as part of the Rhodec team at Elle Décor's "Dining by Design" event in New York.  I have also recently won an industry competition for a project focusing on universal design.

My other interests include writing and photography.  My work has been published in various places, including the IIDA student journal "Custom", the "Design Within Reach" newsletter, and the online interior design magazine "Plinth & Chintz".  My love of travel provides me with much of my inspiration.  I am passionate about design, and look forward to being inspired further here.

Rick Cejalvo, USA, is RISEN's Outreach Director and he is responsible for reaching as many students and industries as possible and educating them on IIDA benefits.

Being in the beauty business for the last 30 years has let me use my creative skills.  From this advantage point, the interior design course through Rhodec has allowed me to further these skills.

In the future owning an Interior Design Showroom is one of my main goals.  Since being enrolled with Rhodec has allowed me to open a small decorating business, with a few small projects under my belt.

Lise Lindberg Holmsen, DipMgmt(Open), Denmark is the Operational Director and is the Primary Contact for IIDA.  She is also responsible for CyberCentre communications with members and with Rhodec.  

Lise was born in 1973 and lives in Nivaa, Denmark with her husband, Per Ulrik Holmsen, and their 9 month old son, Alexander.  A former IT Project Manager, and currently CEO of Scandic Interiors, Lise started studying with Rhodec in September 2004.

Lise lists architecture, interior design, cooking, photography, playing guitar, among her many interests, but she is passionate about interior design.

After finishing college in 1994, she moved to the UK for 7 years - obtaining a degree with the Open University Business School and starting a career as an IT project manager. During her stay in the UK, Lise actively pursued her passion for interior design, both through short courses with ICS (International Correspondence School), and longer term studies with Regent's Academy of Fine Arts in London and working with interior design projects in her spare time.  Now, back in her native Denmark, Lise is working on establishing her own interior design practice, alongside a full-time job.

Lise's passion for interior design made her volunteer to establish the RISEN CyberCentre within the IIDA.  Lise will hold the post of Operational Director on RISEN's Founders' Board.