As interior designers, we collaborate, navigate differing perspectives, manage expectations, and give feedback every day. But when conversations become difficult, finding the right words isn’t always easy.

Join IIDA for a Masterclass with Jackie Black focused on Crucial Conversations—the moments when stakes are high, opinions differ, and emotions can get in the way of meaningful dialogue.

Gain practical tools to approach challenging conversations with greater clarity, confidence, and courage—whether you’re working with a client, colleague, project team, or leadership.

Because the conversations we’re most likely to avoid are often the ones that matter most.

Jackie Black

Originally from Illinois, Jackie studied design in Chicago, surrounded by some of the most influential architecture and design in the country. She began her career at a boutique design firm in Chicago, working across residential, retail, and hospitality projects, and has continued to work across both residential and commercial design throughout her career.

Her work has spanned projects across the U.S. and internationally, with a focus on creating elevated experiences tailored to the people who ultimately inhabit and experience them. As a Design Director at multiple firms, she has developed a particular expertise in leading teams through complex projects—bringing diverse individuals together around a shared vision while recognizing and leveraging the unique talents each person brings to the table.

At the center of her leadership approach is communication. She believes the strongest design outcomes come from creating clarity, fostering mutual respect, and giving teams the tools to navigate differences productively. Through communication, she has worked to unify teams, clients, and projects as a whole around a common vision, enabling the kind of collaboration that produces higher-value outcomes than any individual could achieve alone.