LESLIE KUSHNER, IIDA, GREEN A/P - EDUCATION/MEMBERSHIP/TRAINING

Education

Ms. Kushner graduated from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) FIDER Accredited Interior Design Program in 1981. In 1999 Ms. Kushner completed courses at the Institute of Construction Management, Los Angeles and is certified in mediation and commercial/construction arbitration.   Green A/P certification from Sustainable Furnishings Council 2010.

Mediation/Arbitration Training

Institute of Conflict Management (ICM, formerly Institute of Construction Management), Los Angeles: Primary training in Basic Mediation, Arbitration, Dispute Review Board 1999-2000

Additional training and continuing education: PEPPERDINE COLLEGE/STRAUS INSTITUTE FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION, L.A. COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION/ DRS, L.A.SUPERIOR COURT, SCMA (Southern California Mediation Association)

Work Experience

Her first job in the interior design field was with the contract firm Interiors, Etc., managing their Beverly Hills showroom. Concurrently, she was designing model homes and complexes, banking institutions and private residences. For Terraco Construction as Head Designer and Construction Administrator, she also represented them in Coastal Zoning Commission hearings. Hired by DBI, she worked on projects in the Middle East and Europe. In addition to institutional work (UCLA Hospital), her experience includes designs of unique projects such as corporate helicopters (Italy) and a private 168 foot yacht (Netherlands). She has maintained her own design business since 1981 and began her work in ADR in 1999.

Affiliation & Relevant Experience

Ms. Kushner has been a past member of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce serving on the Planning and Construction Committee, and NHFL (National Home Fashions League ) now IFDA. Having served on numerous boards and committees for ISID (International Society of Interior Designers), she was outgoing past present in 1995 the year they merged with IIDA. She is currently a Professional Member of IIDA (International Interior Design Association). In additional, she remains Board Member Emeritus of DLF (Designers Lighting Forum).

Ms. Kushner has been a speaker and panelist for numerous trade related programs, including but not limited to WestWeek at Pacific Design Center in 1993, 1994, 1995. Through ISID she created and conducted the consumer seminar “A Day with a Designer” 1991 and 1993. Through IIDA in November 1999, received approval for a 2-hour Continuing Education Program (CEU) on ADR and was co-speaker with David T. Armstrong at NeoCon West 2000 (Los Angeles Convention Center) and NeoCon East 2000 (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York), presenting “Alternatives to Litigation” seminars.

In addition to design, as a Mediator (L.A. County Bar certification) Ms. Kushner served (pro bono) on the L.A. Superior Court Mediation Panel, for the City of West Hollywood (Dispute Resolution Services), and for the City of Hawthorne for their VORS (Victim/Offender Restitution Services) and FARS (Families Able to Resolve Situations) programs.