The founder of Eclexis Design, Sharon J. Washington is the highly anticipated host of the virtual NKBA Student Design Symposium Fall 2025, “Uncharted: Students. Designers. Trailblazers,” on September 26. Washington is a long-time champion of the SDS and her enthusiasm for the career development event is infectious. She has a PhD in education from The Ohio State University and brings a wealth of experience from nearly four decades in higher education and non-profit leadership, along with a passion for interior design, particularly in the kitchen and bath industry.
Throughout her career Washington has engaged in work that contributes to a greater understanding of individuals and groups, and ways to foster greater equity and inclusion. In 2014, after leaving a non-profit where she had been the executive director for six years, Washington actively pursued her interest in interior design, eventually realizing that her interests lay in helping others to find the nexus between function and beauty. We’re excited to learn more about her journey and insights into the upcoming symposium.
Could you tell us about your background and how your career shifted to interior design?
My career shift to interior design was more of a return to an early interest in dreaming about and drawing floor plans. In high school, my design interests were focused on creating the perfect house plan with a ceramic studio. During my time in agriculture school, I drafted barn layouts for greater efficiency in feeding and mucking. My interests shifted again when working with faculty to conceptualize future needs in academic facility planning.
How did you first get involved with the NKBA, and how has being a member benefited you professionally?
I joined the NKBA in 2015, becoming an active member in the Northern California Chapter. In 2019, I earned my CKBD certification. It has made it much easier to network with other design professionals locally and nationally, and provided access to resources that were very helpful as a new professional.
The Student Design Symposium has a rich history, could you give us some background on it please?
The Student Design Symposium has its roots in the Student Career Forum, an event that has been held nearly every year in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1966. The event was held from 1989 to 2013 at the San Francisco Design Center, hosted by Clarellen Adams and produced through a collaborative effort of the local professional chapters of the leading design associations. Beginning in 2014, SDS has been hosted by the Northern California NKBA Chapter in cooperation with the local college design programs, and since 2020 the student symposium has been an interactive and engaging virtual conference.
How has the symposium evolved into its current iteration?
In Spring 2024 and 2025, the Northern California NKBA Chapter was thrilled and honored to host SDS with the national office for students across the network. It now features a keynote speaker and concurrent sessions from leading professionals from across the U.S. and Canada in the field of design.
For students considering participating in the NKBA Student Design Symposium, what are the key benefits and takeaways they can expect from attending this event?
It’s fun and interactive! There are Informative sessions from designers, suppliers and contractors designed for future and new professionals. And, of course, the opportunity to network with others from across the NKBA network. And let’s not forget the door prizes!
To register for the Fall 2025 Student Design Symposium please visit here.
