Deborah Winchester is president & CEO at Chicago Design Network. Ms. Winchester is nationally recognized for her work with branded corporate environments and healthcare systems. With over 35 years of architectural experience, she sets the firm standard for design leadership and sustainable initiatives. She joined the firm in the winter of 1986 and became part owner in 1995, officializing her role as principal. She earned her Master’s in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago where she studied under Stanley Tigerman, Stuart Cohen and Robert A. M. Stern. Ms. Winchester is a licensed architect in 10 states including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.
In addition to space design and firm management duties, Ms. Winchester is at the forefront of emerging technologies and leading-edge products, especially as they relate to environmental design initiatives. She is an affable communicator who believes the power of a space is achieved through a collaborative design process, thus creating a physical representation of an organization. Her ability to seamlessly translate client goals into an artistic expression of an organization’s management objectives puts her at the vanguard of many of the firm’s larger corporate ventures. By focusing on maintaining healthy working relationships, Ms. Winchester fosters trust and facilitates open communication, which in turn allows projects to develop smoothly.