Michelle Romero

As Workplace Studio Leader in Phoenix, Michelle is passionate about creating design solutions and shaping the built environment to connect people to one another, to a purpose greater than themselves, and to their organizations. These connections are essential to creating and strengthening a company culture rooted in mission. "From improving employee health and wellness, to boosting performance and productivity, a company’s culture will thrive or become irrelevant based upon the strength of these influences," she declares. Michelle says her work on the Valley of the Sun United Way headquarters brought this philosophy and research results to life. "The design solution implemented by our team changed dynamics within the office on a macro scale," she notes, citing a 59.7-percent increase in workplace effectiveness, as reported by staff. "Design is so much more than a pretty picture. It affects how we think and feel, which ultimately affects the success of a business."