March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the achievements and contributions of women. Throughout history, women have broken barriers, challenged norms, and made significant advancements across all industries. The design industry is no exception–women continue to shape and innovate how we create, organize, and experience spaces.
At Diplomat Closet Design, we are proud to highlight the women on our team who bring creativity, innovation, and dedication to our work every day. These talented professionals help shape our company and the spaces we design for our clients.
We sat down with our team to hear their thoughts on being women in the design industry, what inspires them, and their top organization and design tips. Here’s what they shared:
Sam, Designer
Sam is a talented Designer. She meets with homeowners, interior designers, and builders and designs custom closets, built-ins, and more.
Quote: “Being a woman in the design world means balancing creativity and innovation while dealing with difficult challenges. It’s empowering to create spaces that foster organization, beauty, and functionality while impacting people’s daily lives.”
Inspiration: “My design mentor, Janet Stevenson, is a woman who has inspired me in my work ethic and career. She taught me about the design world from an early age. I remember going to the Philadelphia Magazine Design home with her when I was around 10 years old and walking through every room, talking about all the details. Her passion for design was so inspirational that I realized I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. Fast forward 12 years, and I had the opportunity to work with her as I took my first steps as a designer.”
Favorite Organization Tip: “Make sure you’re constantly cleaning out your closets. One new piece in, one (or more) old pieces out.”
Proud Moment: “It’s hard to pick one project that I am most proud of because they are all fun and important for different reasons. Of course, the projects with the most glitz and glam are always memorable.”
Charlene, Pre-Production Specialist
Charlene is part of our pre-production department, supporting the process from design to production.
Quote: “It’s all in the details.”
Inspiration: Frank Lloyd Wright’s belief in the power of details in transforming a space.
Favorite Organization Tip: Charlene likes to look for symmetry and alignment when designing.
Proud Moment: Seeing her projects evolve from the initial design concept through to final construction and completion, ensuring projects reflect the client’s vision and needs.
Diane, Accountant
Diane maintains the company’s financial records on a daily basis, ensuring that information is current and accurate so that the leadership team can make sound financial decisions.
Quote: “It really is the people that make any job worthwhile.”
Inspiration: “The women in my immediate and extended family have always been creative, active, involved, and motivated. My mother and my daughters are my main inspirations. They balance education, work, and growth along with time for fun, laughter, and time together.”
Kenzie, Designer
Kenzie is a talented Designer. She meets with homeowners, interior designers, and builders and designs custom closets, built-ins, and more.
Quote: “Being a working woman in the design industry makes me feel impactful. It makes me feel important in a position where people are interested in the ideas I have and trust me with the creative direction of their homes.”
Inspiration: “My mom is my inspiration. She worked harder than anyone I know to get where she is today. She went back to school for her Master’s degree while working full-time as a teacher and raising three kids. She now holds one of the highest positions at her company in the educational field.”
Favorite Organization Tip: “If you’re stuck on finding a solution, step away and come back with a fresh perspective.”
Proud Moment: “I’m most proud of the work I contributed to my largest scale project in West Chester, NY. I’ve never put in more time and effort into a project. I am very proud of the work I accomplished as an individual.”
Marie, Executive Administrative Assistant
Marie is the first point of contact for clients, provisioning a warm and professional welcome. Her role includes managing phone calls, scheduling appointments, and assisting with administrative tasks to keep daily operations running smoothly.
Quote: “As a working mom of two and a business owner, stepping into this field has been an exciting journey.”
Inspiration: “My mom is my biggest inspiration for my work ethic. She’s always led by example, putting in unwavering effort, dedication, and focus. She never settled for the bare minimum–she constantly pushed herself to do better and better, which is a mindset I carry with me every day.”
Favorite Organization Tip: “Give everything a designated home. In my salon, every item has its place, which keeps me organized and makes daily tasks more efficient. A well-structured space not only saves time but also creates a smoother workflow.”
Proud Moment: “I’m especially proud of how I’ve transformed my space to be more welcoming, inviting, professional, and efficient. Creating an environment that caters to people’s needs and enhances their overall experience has been incredibly rewarding.”
Anita, Purchasing Coordinator
Anita keeps us on track and on time. As our scheduling and purchasing coordinator, she is integral to our daily functions.
Quote: “There are no barriers when it comes to passion for what you do. Creativity and collaboration know no boundaries. I feel blessed to work at a company that truly embraces these values.”
Inspiration: “My mom–while raising four children, dedicated herself tirelessly to her work, starting at 18 and working at the same company until she retired. Her commitment and loyalty were unmatched, and she taught me the true meaning of hard work and dedication while still keeping her children as her top priority. Now, with 5 children of my own, I strive to emulate her by creating a life filled with purpose and meaning.”
Favorite Organization Tip: “Purge! And purge often! There’s something incredibly refreshing about letting go and starting with a clean slate. It clears not only the physical space but also mental space, allowing for a sense of freedom and new focus.”
Proud Moment: “Our incredibly fun Sip and Shop events at the design studio–they not only help us introduce our name to the community but also open new doors and foster connection with other small businesses. It’s a great way to build relationships and support each other while having a blast!”
Keely Dadamo – CFO
Keely oversees the financial statements for Diplomat Closet Design and Closet Parts Corp. She contributes to the development of the annual budget and analyzes actual performance against projections to guide strategic decision-making. She also provides support in daily accounting operations when needed and manages payroll and HR-related matters to ensure smooth business operations.
Quote: “I’m a proud mom of three with a busy lifestyle, balancing my children’s sports schedules, social commitments, and my professional responsibilities. Despite the hustle, I embrace the challenge and strive to be a strong role model for my kids—demonstrating that hard work, ambition, and perseverance are key to achieving personal and family goals. My drive to succeed motivates me to improve every day, both for myself and my family.”
Inspiration: “My mom is the epitome of selflessness, always putting others before herself and making our family her top priority. She and my dad often visit us at our beautiful showroom, continuing to offer their unwavering support in our endeavors. Their presence and encouragement mean so much to us, and we’re incredibly grateful for their constant love and dedication.”
Favorite Organizational Tip: “Staying organized is key! Creating to-do lists helps break tasks into manageable steps, and keeping your calendar updated ensures everyone stays on the same page. We also hold a quick 5-minute daily meeting to align on top priorities for the day, which keeps our team focused and productive.”
Proud Moment: “I believe the budget I developed with clear sales goals has been essential for both entities. It provides structure for the team and ensures everyone is aligned toward a common objective. With these goals in place, we can collaborate effectively on staffing and cost management while leveraging the right marketing tools to achieve our targets. Additionally, the pricing strategy I developed with the team strikes a balance between delivering value to our customers and respecting their budget constraints, and I am proud of that.”
Laura Bryan – Vice President
Laura oversees all aspects of the company’s operations, from sales and design to marketing, pre-production, manufacturing, and installation.
Quote: “To me, being a woman in this industry means embracing the power of education and resilience. By pairing knowledge with grit, I’ve been able to reach key milestones in my career, each one strengthening my confidence. The moment I realized that my only limits were the ones I refused to challenge, I never looked back. Staying growth-minded keeps me motivated and always looking for the next challenge. ”
Inspiration: “My Mom-Mom has always been a huge inspiration to me. She was a self-made success story—starting a family young meant she had a late start in her career, but that never held her back. She educated herself, fearlessly broke barriers, and proved that determination has no timeline. She was always invested in my success, offering the best advice and keeping me strong whenever I doubted myself.”
Favorite Design Trick: “Great design takes time. My best work comes from letting ideas evolve, reworking options in my mind, and drawing inspiration from everything around me. Being put on the spot rarely leads to my best ideas!”
Proud Moment: “Designing and laying out our new design studio is a project I’m especially proud of. It was an opportunity to create a space that not only showcases our work but also enhances the experience for both our team and clients. Seeing it come to life and knowing it inspires creativity every day makes it incredibly rewarding.”
Work with our team: Make an appointment for a free consultation.
