Testimonials

SDA has been an invaluable addition to my professional life in the design industry. While my background is strong in office administration, I’m completely new to the construction industry and being able to converse with other professionals at the same level in related industries has helped me gain my bearings. The open forum lunches have been just as informative as the professional development seminars. The SDA Job Bank has been a valuable source for recruitment. And it is truly helpful to know that there is a group of professionals to turn to and ask questions, simply by sending out a broadcast e-mail, knowing that I’ll get at least a dozen responses within an hour. This kind of advice and assistance has been worth its weight in gold.
Ellen G. Straus
Administrative Director, GreenOrder

I have found that the SDA is a society of leaders, armed with the strength of their network and the combined knowledge of their members. Every professional administrator in every design firm should be a member.”
Frances Halsband FAIA
Principal, R M Kliment Frances Halsband Architects

You try to create a culture where your people can happily do their best work. The Society of Design Administration provides the means for your administrative staff to give you their best. By educating its members in firm management, the organization instills confidence and creates leaders. The presence of strong leaders adds value and has an impact far beyond the boundaries of your firm: it benefits our whole industry.
Robert Silman
Principal, Robert Silman Associates PC

Create, stretch, grow, explore, expand, learn, share, bond – those are just a few of the words that leap to mind when I think of how SDA has benefited me over the past 19 years that I’ve been a member. SDA is like a giant playground for professional development. It asks, “What do you want to do, what do you want to learn?” and then gives you the freedom to go do it. In addition to reaping the benefits of SDA’s primary mission, that of educating design firm administrators, through my membership I’ve had the opportunity to create and grow a national charity, publish a professional news journal, lecture at workshops, recruit members, plan conferences and host parties. In the process I’ve made lifelong friends who live all across North America – so I’ve got a free place to stay in just about every city I’d like to visit. What more could anyone ask of an organization??!!
Cheri C. Melillo, Hon. AIA, SDA/C
Founder, Canstruction, Inc.