Designing for Community & Hospitality Across Healthcare, Education, and Government
A panel discussion with design leaders exploring how healthcare, education, and government spaces can foster belonging, trust, and wellbeing. Discover cross-sector perspectives and practical strategies for creating welcoming, accessible, and human-centered environments.
Approved by AIA and IDCEC for continuing education credit: 1 learning unit (LU) in health, safety, and welfare (HSW).
Panelists:
Dr. Susan Hasseler, President Emerita of Muskingum University
Susan S. Hasseler, PhD, is President Emerita of Muskingum University and a higher education leader with more than three decades of experience. Throughout her career, Dr. Hasseler has translated institutional mission into strategic priorities, aligning people, programs, resources, and the physical environment to strengthen long-term institutional vitality. Her work has extended into campus planning, architecture, and design, with a focus on how space can bring people together around shared purpose while supporting learning, belonging, collaboration, and professional growth.
Erika Shrauger of the State of Michigan
As the Design Project Manager and Contracts Manager for the State of Michigan's Real Estate Division, Erika Shrauger combines creativity with a strong passion for problem-solving. She focuses on optimizing the state's real estate portfolio through standardized furniture layouts, space planning strategies, and the implementation of the latest workplace design trends. Before spending the last 12 years in government, she worked as an interior designer and occupancy planner. She also spent four years in commercial furniture sales and design, building expertise in modular furniture systems and workplace planning.
Roger Bearup, Education Strategist with GMB
After 37 years spent working in education—the last 11 as Superintendent of Grandville Public Schools outside Grand Rapids, Michigan—Roger Bearup “graduated” to the role of Education Strategist for GMB Architecture and Engineering. At GMB, he partners with school leaders, educators, and communities to align educational vision, teaching and learning goals, and community priorities with the planning and design of learning environments. He helps districts navigate change, facilitate strategic planning and visioning initiatives, and ensure that learning spaces support student success both now and into the future.
Lara Leskaj, IIDA, LEEP AP, of Perkins & Will
Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, Laura Leskaj lived next door to an interior designer. As a creative kid with strong math skills, she always felt drawn to this career. She followed her passion and studied interior design at the University of Cincinnati, eventually earning her master’s degree in architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her early work designing hotels and restaurants laid the foundation for bringing hospitality into other types of spaces, making them warmer, more comfortable, and more pleasing to be in. Today, she’s Principal Interior Design Director in the Chicago office of Perkins & Will.
Host:
Jeff Vredevoogd of Haworth
Drawing on more than 40 years of experience in the commercial interiors industry, Jeff Vredevoogd will guide today's conversation as our moderator. Known for bringing together diverse perspectives, he regularly facilitates discussions on the trends shaping how people learn, heal, work, and connect. In his current role as General Manager of Vertical and Segment Markets at Haworth, he works closely with clients and partners across education, healthcare, government, and other key sectors to address evolving workplace and community needs.
Tue, Dec 8, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Est.
