Leann Pederson
Senior partner, health care studio manager, registered interior designer, RDG Planning & Design
Age: 37
Husband: Nathan Pederson
Children: Owen (8), Westin (5) and Clayton (2)
Accomplishments that make you deserving of being a Forty Under 40:
Managing RDG's Healthcare Studio since 2020, through company mergers and cultural growth.
Served as International Interior Design Association Great Plains Chapter president in 2019 (three-year term from 2018–20).
Integral committee member in passing additional interior design legislation in 2023, allowing registered interior designers the opportunity to take credit for their work through stamp and seal.
Rewrote the IIDA Great Plains Chapter policies and procedures document, converting it to an interactive and usable format for all organization volunteers.
What's your biggest passion, and why?
I'm passionate about impacting the well-being of others through the built environment. Working in the health care market is an opportunity to help people in what is likely a very stressful time in their lives. Providing a tiny sense of home, amenities or a beautiful space is what drives me.
What are your goals in your role at work?
In my roles as Healthcare Studio manager and senior partner, my goals are primarily focused around people, working to align studio members’ professional goals with the company aspirations and work in the market. I love asking questions to understand the “why” or to push people to think differently.
What are your goals in a role outside of work?
As my children grow, I'd like to get more involved in sports and school activities. Balancing work and a young family has its challenges, but having a great organization and family support systems are really important in achieving this.
Tell us about an experience or memory that influenced how you see the world or what you want to do in life.
Becoming a mother put an entirely different lens on the world for me. I work hard every day to show my children that hard work and kindness do matter. My family drives me to make the world a better place for them, through my work.
What are your aspirations for the future?
I want to be an advocate and educate the public about the profession of interior design. Commercial interior design is so much more than selecting pillows and paints. I absolutely love solving problems and ultimately improving processes in a collaborative team environment.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to a young professional?
Get involved in something that matters to you in a real, significant way. You will get out of it what you put into it. Volunteering and building relationships with individuals will stick with you and serve you well far into the future.
What is one thing you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?
I'd like to see a deeper focus on providing services for mental health in children. As a parent to young children, I want schools to have a top priority on child safety and mental health support systems. There should not be monthslong waitlists to see mental health providers or programs being cut in the schools. We need this now, more than ever, and we need to find ways to hold decision-makers accountable.
What's one fun fact about you?
I was a certified tumbling and trampoline judge for 12 years.
Hobbies: Keeping up with three active boys, watching gymnastics (because I can no longer do!), Taekwondo (blue belt).
One word that describes you: Focused.
What is your favorite local restaurant? Americana.
Name one book, podcast, movie or show you love. “Friends” (TV show).
What is your go-to activity to do in Central Iowa in the evenings or during the weekend?
We love Jester Park; it has so much to offer, from seeing and learning about animals to rock climbing and gardening.