Workplace & Design Operations · Project Delivery · Systems Improvement

Project & Operations Management

I help architecture, interiors and workplace teams keep projects moving and improve how work gets done. With 10+ years across project management and studio operations, I coordinate vendors, schedules and handoffs, and build practical systems that support delivery.

Operations in practice

Examples of the workflows I built, the delivery responsibilities I owned, and the independent project I’m developing.

Vendor Programs

At Vida Design, coordinated approximately six vendor visits each week and built booking, intake and automated communication workflows.

Project Delivery

At Splice, managed concurrent construction and design projects, aligning schedules, priorities, dependencies and decisions from initiation through completion.

Studio Operations

At Jeff Schlarb Design Studio, coordinated daily schedules, resources, vendors and administrative workflows, with documented processes and handoffs.

Tools & Reporting

At IDF Studio, introduced project management tools and reporting workflows to improve visibility and standardize recurring work.

VIDA DESIGN / WORKFLOW IMPROVEMENT

Building systems for recurring work.

Translated recurring vendor and materials needs into booking, intake, automated communication, rotating product display, and self-service sample pickup workflows for an architecture and interiors practice.

Established SOPs, handoff documentation, contact management, and training for recurring vendor and materials programs; coordinated approximately six vendor visits per week across multiple stakeholders.

Vida Design · Workflow development and team enablement.
PIVOT INTERIORS / PROJECT DELIVERY

Keeping scope, schedules, and open items visible.

Led commercial workplace furniture and interior projects from planning through installation, coordinating schedules, scope, deliverables, vendors, stakeholders, open items, and issue resolution.

Managed coordination across internal teams, clients, installers, and external partners, using organized documentation and timely follow-up to resolve issues and maintain continuity through delivery.

Pivot Interiors · Project management and delivery coordination.
BRIDGE / INDEPENDENT PROJECT

Bridge — in development.

I’m developing Bridge, a vendor directory for architecture and design professionals. This independent project applies my operations experience to organizing vendor information and resource workflows around the needs of design teams.

Explore Bridge →
Current public site · Independent project in development.
Current public Bridge website homepage
Bridge · Current public siteIndependent project in development

Experience

Operational ownership and project delivery across construction, design studios, and commercial workplace interiors. My work connects people, resources, and repeatable processes.

Vida Design
Resource Manager
2025–Aug 2026

Designed vendor booking, intake, automated communication, display, and self-service sample pickup workflows. Established SOPs and training, and coordinated approximately six vendor visits per week.

Splice
Project Manager
2023–2024

Managed concurrent construction and design projects from initiation through completion. Improved visibility and follow-through with clearer tracking, decision logs, documentation, and cross-functional communication.

Jeff Schlarb Design Studio
Operations Manager
2021–2022

Directed daily studio operations across schedules, resources, vendors, project teams, and external partners. Standardized processes, documentation, and handoffs to clarify ownership and improve operating consistency.

Pivot Interiors
Project Manager
2017–2018

Commercial workplace furniture and interiors projects from planning through installation, including stakeholders, schedules, open items, and issue resolution.

IDF Studio
Project Manager
2015–2017

Managed residential and commercial studio operations across schedules, priorities, vendors, and resources. Introduced project management tools and reporting workflows to improve visibility and standardize recurring work.

Core capabilities

Project delivery, studio operations, and practical systems improvement, grounded in workplace, architecture, and interiors experience.

  • Project Delivery

  • Studio Operations & Resource Planning

  • Process & Workflow Improvement

  • Vendor & Stakeholder Management

  • Schedule & Delivery Coordination

  • Systems Implementation, SOPs & Training

Supporting expertise
Procurement and FF&E coordination supporting project planning, delivery and installation.

Tools & Systems
Professional: Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Excel, Microsoft 365, Bluebeam Revu, AutoCAD, Revit, Studio Designer, Google Workspace, and Adobe Acrobat.
Currently learning: Primavera P6.

Education
Bachelor of Arts, Interior Design · The Art Institute of Las Vegas · 2007

What colleagues say

People I’ve worked with consistently point to the same strengths: calm leadership, practical systems thinking, and genuine care for the team.

“Her ability to problem solve and weave complex systems together is remarkable.”

Brianna Dingman · Designer, Vida Design

“Desiree is a calm, collected, and well-organized person—a wealth of knowledge.”

Krystal Roy · Senior Design Manager, Vida Design

“She is reliable, trustworthy and has an amazing work ethic.”

Jaclyn Christensen · Director of Interior Design, IDF Studio
San Francisco Bay Area

Build stronger systems. Deliver better work.

I’m interested in project and operations roles supporting workplace, architecture, interiors, and design teams, with a focus on delivery coordination, practical systems, and reliable day-to-day operations.