Lorna Gross, President of Lorna Gross Interior Design, is the September Member of the Month in an interview series launched by IWF-DC VP of Communications Susan Apgood to showcase women leaders and get to know one another better. Susan had the pleasure of meeting Lorna at a dine around in July and she is coming out with a book this fall.
Q&A with Lorna Gross
Q: Tell us about your background and where you currently work.
Born in New York and raised in Louisiana, I knew early on that I was a creative soul. Wanting to have a life with more security, I opted to go the business route. I earned a BS and MBA from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. My early career was spent in pharmaceutical marketing for a division of Abbott Laboratories. After a chance strengths evaluation, I set out to do something I was more passionate about for a living. That turned out to be interior design. I then transitioned to working for communication agencies during the day, while I worked on my Interior Design degree at night. After studying under established designers who served high-end clientele, including Middle Eastern royalty, I decided to start my own company. My firm is LORNA GROSS Interior Design. We execute commercial and high-end residential projects throughout North America and the UK. Most of clientele seek us out for our credentials and for individualized design styles.
Q: How long have you been an IWF member?
I have been a member of IWF for about 10 years. [Class of 2015]
Q: How has your career benefited from being an IWF member?
Each of the members have accomplished so much and are living such robust lives, despite adversity. I feel like I've learned so much about business and culture from being a member. IWF has made an otherwise isolating role as a woman-business owner a bit more palatable for me. Being a woman leader is a unique and sometimes exhausting experience. We can all relate to each other's journeys, so we no longer have to feel alone on our paths.
Also, a number of IWF members are my clients.
Q: What excites you the most right now?
Right now, I'm most excited about the expansion of my lifestyle brand, which began with a yearly podcast last year and continues with my upcoming book titled Entertaining by Design, A guide to creating meaningful gatherings. I wrote from the perspective of a busy mom who likes to entertain beautifully, but who doesn't have the bandwidth to DIY everything. Besides step-by-step guides and some family recipes, the book is loaded with gorgeous photography that is sure to bring joy to readers.
Q: What are you reading or listening to?
These days, I am reading a book called Blue Fishing The Art of Making Things Happen, and a book called James, a novel being covered at the Maryland IWF-DC book club.
Q: Any tips or advice for new members?
Attend as many events as you can in the DC forum and internationally. There is so much to learn from all of these incredible women. Some may become wonderful resources for you and some will become friends or both.
Q: What do you like most about being a member?
I have enjoyed the IWF experience because I am able to interact with women outside of my profession. My favorite IWF offerings are the international conferences and the Dine-Arounds, where I am able to learn about the members on an intimate level. All of the members seem to have lived fascinating lives and some have become dear friends. I've served on the Board as Treasurer and on the programs committee during the pandemic, which was a challenge. But, we were able to bring engaging programming to our forum even though we couldn't congregate.
Q: Who/what inspires you?
I am inspired by anyone who operates on a very high level and is able to do it with grace and conviction. From a design perspective, I'm inspired by different cultures that I experience while traveling, my clientele, and ornate, artistic jewelry.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
I walk almost every day, which helps to clear my head and makes me feel like I did something for my health. I also love singing, dancing, dining out and attending food festivals. Actually, if there's any activity that involves eating great food and gathering with friends, you can count this Louisiana girl in.
Q: Favorite place you've traveled?
My favorite place to travel is Nice, in the South of France. I love its seaside landscape, divine food and meandering streets. I also love to take day trips (and sometimes weekend trips) to charming towns, like Easton, Middleburg, and Savannah. |
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